SOCIAL SERVICES
area on Christmas night, after which Government officials and members of voluntary organizations worked to bring immediate and effective relief to the 59,000 fire victims.
Community Development. This is undertaken by district associations known as Kaifongs, a Cantonese word meaning "neighbour" "responsible citizen" or "elder". In South China, Kaifongs have had a long tradition of providing not only charitable services such as free schools and clinics, but also other community services which elsewhere are usually the responsibility of local authorities.
Since 1949, the Kaifong movement in Hong Kong has developed rapidly along fairly regular lines. There are now 18 approved Kaifong Welfare Associations with a total mem- bership of 222,771 persons, each having a written constitution and formed with the aim of furthering welfare activities in its own district. These associations, which have their own elected committees, are not official bodies and their relationship with the Social Welfare Office is purely advisory, every encourage- ment being given to their work.
In addition to running free schools and clinics and the sponsoring of several local divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade, the Kaifongs in Hong Kong have performed many other kinds of social work. They have interested themselves in the leisure activities of poor people in their districts, have sponsored free ball games, equipped children's playgrounds, and provided simple theatrical performances with
with educational themes. After each big squatter fire, a relief committee has been organized by the various Kaifong Welfare Associations, in conjunction with other Chinese charitable organizations, in order not only to subscribe generously themselves but also to receive donations from the public and to coordinate distribution of non-government relief. Special mention must also be made of the women's section of the Kaifongs. Their work has been
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