XN000022-1973-01-02 — Page 7

Tuesday, January 2, 1973

CHUK YUEN CHILDREN'S RECEPTION CENTRE

SWD's Role In Providing Succour For Abandoned And Wandering

Abandoned, wandering, and other children under eight in need of

care and protection are received at the Social Welfare Department's Chuk

Yuen Reception Centre, where appropriate arrangements are made for their

future.

At the end of November, 1972, there were 101 children in residence

at the Centre. Care is offered on a temporary basis, normally not exceeding

six months.

Eight of these children were under six months, nine under one

year, 13 under two, 35 between two and four, 21 between four and six,

13 between six and eight, and two just over eight years.

Commenting on these figures, Mrs. Chen Liu Mu-lan, Senior Principal

Social Welfare Officer and head of the Family Services Division, says

there were more children at the Centre than usual at the end of last

year because admission "is not refused for urgent cases, but the total

is not indicative of any trend." In her view, the inflow is matched by

normal discharges constantly going on.

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The Centre performs a useful service because children with

backgrounds are given a shelter there, The police refer abandoned and

wandering children directly to it, while other cases are referred by other

departments, and voluntary agencies.

Then