XN000022-1978-07-10 — Page 11

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MONDAY, JULY 10, 1978

NEW HOME FOR THE AGED TO OPEN THIS YEAR

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THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR. THOMAS LEE, TODAY LAID THE FOUNDATION STONE FOR A $3 MILLION HOME FOR THE AGED. IN CLEARWATER BAY - A PROJECT DESIGNED TO MEET THE INCREASING NEED FOR INSTITUTIONAL FACILITIES FOR THE ELDERLY.

MR. LEE SAID AT THE FOUNDATION STONE-LAYING CEREMONY, THERE WAS GROWING DEMAND FOR MORE RESIDENTIAL PLACES FOR THE AGED, PARTICULARLY CARE AND ATTENTION HOMES.

THE NEW HOME WOULD HELP. EASE THE DEMAND FOR SUCH FACILITIES WHEN IT BECAME OPERATIONAL.

THE HO KING HOME FOR THE AGED IS A PROJECT OF THE BUDDHIST CHARITABLE ORGANISATION, SIK SIK YUEN, FINANCED PARTIALLY WITH A $1 MILLION. GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT LOTTERIES FUND MADE THROUGH THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT.

COVERING A SITE OF OVER 54,000 SQ. FT. ALLOCATED BY THE GOVERNMENT IN TAI AU MUN, THE NEW HOME WOULD PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL FACILITIES AS WELL AS GENERAL AND NURSING CARE FOR 100 AGED WOMEN BY OCTOBER THIS YEAR.

MR. LEE PAID TRIBUTE TO SIK SIK YUEN FOR PROVIDING COMMUNITY SERVICES SINCE IT WAS SET UP IN 1921.

+ IT IS COMMENDABLE THAT SIK SIK YUEN, KEEPING IN LINE WITH ITS TRADITIONAL SPIRIT. HAS NOW EXTENDED ITS SERVICES TO THE FIELD OF WELFARE FOR THE ELDERLY.

+ IT STARTED RAISING FUNDS FOR THE PROJECT AS EARLY AS IN 1972. NOW WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND SITE ALLOCATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT. IT IS GRATIFYING TO LEARN THAT THE NEW HOME, A TWO- STOREY BUILDING WITH BEAUTIFUL SURROUNDINGS, IS TO BECOME A REALITY, HE SAID.

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