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The Director of Social Welfare (DSW), Ms Carol Yip, showed her care and concern for some 200 DSW wards as well as children and adolescents receiving residential care services from Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) today (January 9) while attending an award presentation ceremony co-organised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and TWGHs. She also commended those who made remarkable achievements or showed great improvements in academic studies, conduct, sports, arts and provision of services to others last year.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Yip said she was delighted to meet her "sons and daughters" under her guardianship and was pleased to learn that the awardees understood well their own situations and were able to overcome difficulties and challenges in hard times. She also encouraged children attending the ceremony to hold on to their beliefs, develop a positive outlook on life, keep on improving themselves and work hard to attain their goals.
Ms Yip expressed her gratitude to relatives, carers, volunteers and social workers who have been offering care and support to these children. She also thanked TWGHs for co-organising and sponsoring the event, which offered great encouragement and best wishes for the children.
At the ceremony today, a total of 44 children and adolescents were presented with either the Best Achievement Awards or the Best Improvement Awards.
Children and adolescents are made wards of the DSW in accordance with the court procedures stipulated in the Protection of Children and Juveniles Ordinance (Cap 213) for various reasons, such as death, loss, imprisonment, long-term hospitalisation or incapability of their parents, or their being unable or unsuitable to live with their family members. The SWD's case workers, according to the family conditions and needs of the wards, draw up appropriate long-term welfare plans for them, such as arranging for adoption or reunion with their families, or preparing them to live independently when they become grownups.
As at the end of November 2015, there were total of 652 DSW wards. Among them, 40 per cent lived in foster care homes or small group homes. Nearly 40 per cent lived in institutions while the rest lived on their own or with their parents, siblings or relatives.
Also officiating at today's ceremony was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of TWGHs, Ms Maisy Ho.
Ends/Saturday, January 9, 2016
Issued at HKT 14:56
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