**********************************************************
The Deputy Director of Social Welfare (Services), Mr Cheung Hing-wah, today (January 30) praised individuals, schools and organisations in support of the "Sham Shui Po Well-being Movement" for their contributions in serving the community, especially the disadvantaged.
Officiating at the "Well-Being Highlight Event and Volunteers Award", Mr Cheung said, "Under the present economic conditions, it is particularly meaningful for the organising committee to organise a series of programmes to convey the messages of 'happiness', 'gratitude' and 'hope' across the Sham Shui Po district and promote volunteer service to serve the local residents."
"The consolidation of powers from all walks of life has contributed to the success in building a harmonious community," he said.
Mr Cheung wished the residents of Sham Shui Po a great community with hope, gratitude and happiness.
The "Well-Being Highlight Event and Volunteers Award" was one of the events under the "Sham Shui Po Well-being Movement". Other officiating guests included the Chairman of Sham Shui Po District Council, Dr Chan Tung; Sham Shui Po District Officer, Ms May Chan Wing-shiu; Convenor of the Steering Committee on Promotion of Volunteer Service and Sub-Committee on Promotion & Publicity of Volunteer Service, Mr Michael Y K Wong; Chairman of Sham Shui Po District Council Health and Safe Community Work Group, Mr Wong Kam-kuen; Chief School Development Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mr Lam Kwok-keung; Vice-chairman of Sham Shui Po School Liaison Committee, Ms Wong Man-bing; and District Social Welfare Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mrs Elain Yue.
Mr Cheung and other officiating guests led the 1,600 participants reading out "The Declaration of Happiness". They also presented prizes to the winners of inter-school competitions and service projects under the "Sham Shui Po Well-being Movement" and awards to outstanding volunteers of Sham Shui Po District.
Performances and sharing included Assistant Professor, Centre of Buddhist Studies, University of Hong Kong, Venerable Sik Hin-hung; Associate Director, Centre for Catholic Studies, Dr Kwan Tsun-tong; Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Music, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Dr Connie Wong (pianist with three fingers); clinical psychologist of Social Welfare Department Mr Eddie Lo; and pop singer Albert Au who had written a theme song for the event.
The "Sham Shui Po Well-being Movement", co-organised by the Sham Shui Po District Social Welfare Office and 23 government departments, non-government organisations, schools and local organisations, aims to promote positive values among the residents of Sham Shui Po through a series of activities centering on the theme of "Expressing your Gratitude" and "Hope".
Ends/Saturday, January 30, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:30
NNNN