Speech by CS at launching of Elderly Visit Programme in Rural Villages (English only)(with photos/video)
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     Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mrs Carrie Lam, at the launching of Elderly Visit Programme in Rural Villages this afternoon (February 8):

Dr the Honourable Lau Wong-fat (Chairman of the Heung Yee Kuk), Mr (Brian) Stevenson (Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,

     It gives me great pleasure to join you all at this Chinese festive season to witness the launching of the Elderly Visit Programme in Rural Villages. May I first wish you and your family a healthy and prosperous Year of the Horse!

     "Helping those in need, is a blessing indeed". The Elderly Visit Programme in Rural Villages is one of the 400 programmes under the six-month "Bless Hong Kong" Campaign, which was just kick-started two days ago. The Campaign is an initiative of the Commission on Poverty's Societal Engagement Task Force and aims at encouraging collaboration among the community, the business sector and the Government in poverty alleviation. The campaign will promote the spirit of care, mutual aid and inclusiveness in the community through a series of theme-based activities in the coming months.

     This Elderly Visit Programme in Rural Villages echoes the first theme of the Campaign, "February for the Elderly". One Chinese idiom speaks well: "An elderly person at home is a treasure you own." Our elders have made significant contributions to the development of our city and certainly deserve our respect and care.  

     I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Heung Yee Kuk and the Hong Kong Jockey Club for your enthusiasm and dedication in taking forward this very meaningful programme. I am delighted to learn that the visit programme will provide various services, including medical check-up, house cleaning and interactive entertainment programmes, for elderly people living in hundreds of villages in the New Territories. In particular, I would like to thank the volunteers from both organisations for devoting your time and efforts to such a worthwhile cause.

     The Elderly Visit Programme in Rural Villages is indeed an excellent demonstration of cross-sector collaboration. With all your support and commitment, I am confident that we will realise the vision of the "Bless Hong Kong" Campaign, that is, to promote the spirit of mutual aid and help the under privileged in our society.

     Last but not the least, may I wish the Elderly Visit Programme in Rural Villages every success and remember to "helping those in need, is a blessing indeed". Thank you very much.

Ends/Saturday, February 8, 2014
Issued at HKT 16:13

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