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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited Yuen Long district this afternoon (August 27).
Accompanied by District Officer (Yuen Long), Mr James Chan, and District Social Welfare Officer (Yuen Long), Mrs Loretta Chau, Mr Cheung toured Social Welfare Department¡¦s Yuen Long (West) Integrated Family Service Centre to better understand the operation of the centre and the services provided to local residents.
Mr Cheung was introduced to the Long Yat Project which was set up in 2002 to promote mutual help awareness among family members and enhance neighbourhood support. The project provides timely interference and referral services to families in need of help through proactive outreach efforts. A host of activities including ambassador training programmes, group activities, experience-sharing sessions, were also organised.
Mr Cheung chatted with an active member of the project and was glad to learn that joining the project had brought about positive changes in her character and life attitude.
He said, ¡§The project is a classic example of how mutual help programmes can help us improve ourselves while at the same time influence others to turn for the better. I encourage more Yuen Long residents to take part in this very successful project to help make our community a better place to live.¡¨
Mr Cheung then visited the office of International Social Services Hong Kong Branch (ISSHK) and was greeted by agency head Mr Kerin Cham. Mr Cham briefed Mr Cheung on ISSHK¡¦s work in the district, including the promotion, as one of the implementing agencies, of the Transport Support Scheme introduced by the Government as an incentive for needy job-seekers and low-income employees living in remote districts to find jobs and stay in employment.
Mr Cheung commended ISSHK as a reliable and reputable social welfare organisation and took the opportunity to thank staff for their stalwart support over the years.
The last stop was a home visit at Yeung Uk San Tsuen where Mr Cheung met a self-reliant family to get first-hand information on their living conditions.
Ends/Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:30
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