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SOCIAL WELFARE
In a positive approach to the youth problem, voluntary agencies and government departments also work together in urban settings, using community, youth and social centres and clubs. For the past four years the Social Welfare Department has organized a number of projects during the summer holidays and this year over 22 activities were offered to children and youths ranging from interior decorating and drama to shooting, fishing and overnight expedi- tions. Some 150 secondary students also gave up their free time to undertake a short course of training to enable them to help younger children to enjoy their leisure in club activities. The voluntary agencies were also active in this field.
CHILD WELFARE
Voluntary agencies continued to be active in the establishment of day care centres for the young children of working mothers. Eight new non-profit-making nurseries and one play centre were opened during the year, and the total places available in day care centres rose from 12,100 in 1965 to over 13,000.
A United Nations' consultant spent six months in Hong Kong at the invitation of the government and undertook a survey of children's institutions. His report, which is expected to-be avail- able early in 1967, makes recommendations for future development and the establishment and implementation of improved child care practices and standards in institutions.
A children's reception centre run by the department cares for children who are found abandoned or wandering. Their special physical and psychological needs are investigated and their be- haviour and growth observed and recorded, as background to a plan for each child's future. Of 221 children who left the centre during the year, 18 were adopted into families, either in Hong Kong or overseas. The number of babies abandoned fell to 48, compared with over 200 seven years ago and 56 in 1965. A total of 105 children were adopted in Hong Kong in 1966 under the Adoption Ordinance 1956, compared with 116 in 1965. Overseas adoptions totalled 77 in 1966 compared with 88 in the previous year. Altogether 1,182 adoptions have been registered in the Adopted Children's Register since the first entry was made on 22nd July 1957. Where possible, children are kept in institutions