XN000022-1980-11-01 — Page 7

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 1980

SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR VISITS HOME FOR PROBLEM GIRLS

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THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR SELWYN ALLEYNE, TODAY VISITED THE MA TAU WAI GIRLS' HOME IN HO MAN TIN TO SEE FOR HIMSELF ITS DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.

THE $4 MILLION GIRLS' HOME PROVIDES RESIDENTIAL CARE AND TRAINING TO YOUNG GIRLS PUT ON PROBATION OR REMAND, AND TO THOSE IN NEED OF CARE AND PROTECTION.

IT IS ONE OF THE FIVE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS RUN BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT TO REHABILITATE AND RE-EDUCATE YOUNG OFFENDERS OR PROBLEM BOYS AND GIRLS.

ACCOMPANIED ON THE VISIT BY THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICER, MR LAI CHAM-KAN, MR ALLEYNE SAW GIRLS RECEIVING ACADEMIC SCHOOLING, PRE-VOCATIONAL TRAINING AND TAKING PART IN RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

HE WATCHED THEM BEING TAUGHT CHINESE, ENGLISH AND MATHEMATICS, AND HANDICRAFT SUCH AS KNITTING, EMBROIDERY, AND TOYMAKING.

THE DIRECTOR WAS BRIEFED ON THE TRAINING PROGRAMMES, THE EMPHASIS OF WHICH IS ON CHARACTER TRAINING THROUGH A DISCIPLINED ROUTINE, POSITIVE GUIDANCE AND INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION.

HE LATER INSPECTED THE FACILITIES OF THE HOME, LOOKING AT ITS DORMITORIES, LIBRARY, ASSEMBLY HALL, COMMON ROOMS FOR RECREATION, BASKETBALL COURT AND CLINIC.

THE MODERN COMPLEX REPLACED IN 1978 THE OLD HOME IN MAU TAU WAI ROAD AND CAN ACCOMMODATE 144 GIRLS.

IT SERVES AS A COMBINED REMAND AND PROBATION HOME, AS WELL AS A PLACE OF REFUGE, FOR GIRLS AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 18 YEARS.

MR ALLEYNE LATER WENT ON AN INSPECTION TOUR OF THE KOWLOON CITY DISTRICT SOCIAL WELFARE OFFICE IN HUNG HOM.

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