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The Secretary for Labour and Welfare, Mr Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, visited Sham Shui Po this afternoon (August 9) to exchange views with District Councillors and see the supporting services provided by two non-governmental organisations for ex-mentally ill persons, new arrivals from the Mainland and ethnic minorities. Mr Cheung also visited a family living in a cubicle apartment to hear the views of the grass roots.
Accompanied by the Chairman of the Sham Shui Po District Council, Mr Jimmy Kwok, and the District Officer (Sham Shui Po), Mr Benjamin Mok, Mr Cheung first visited the Head Office of the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association at Nam Cheong Street. He was briefed by the Association's Chief Executive Officer, Ms Sania Yau, on the mission of the Association to promote equal opportunities and well-being for ex-mentally ill persons and assist them to integrate into society through professional services, social enterprise participation, mental health education and the promotion of mutual aid and family support.
As arranged through the Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship, Mr Cheung visited a new arrival family of five at a cubicle apartment. The father of the family is a renovation worker with an unstable income, yet he still works hard as a self-reliant breadwinner to support his family. Mr Cheung was pleased to know that the eldest daughter had participated in the Child Development Fund, through which she not only acquired a habit of target saving but also learnt about setting goals and direction planning.
Mr Cheung then proceeded to the HOME Centre of the New Home Association where he was briefed by the Chairman of the Association's Advisory Committee, Professor Joe Leung, on the special programmes to assist ethnic minorities to adapt to life in Hong Kong, as well as other support services on education, employment and social integration.
Mr Cheung also visited the Association's HOME Market. The Director of Loving Home Foundation Limited, Mr Suen Kwok-lam, explained to Mr Cheung the operation of the convenience store, where essential foodstuffs including rice and oil are sold at less than market prices to its members and Senior Citizen Card holders.
Mr Cheung commended the New Life Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association, the Industrial Evangelistic Fellowship and the New Home Association for their diversified services and dedication to improving the well-being of the underprivileged.
As a highlight of the half-day visit, Mr Cheung met with the Sham Shui Po District Council Chairman and members to exchange views on issues of concern. The meeting was held in Café Imagine, which is managed by the YMCA College of Continuing Education to provide catering training for youngsters.
Ends/Friday, August 9, 2013
Issued at HKT 18:30
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