XN000022-1981-08-13 — Page 2

THURSDAY, AUGUST 13, 1981

SWD EXPLORES EVERY WAY TO HELP ORPHANS

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THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IS EXPLORING EVERY POSSIBILITY TO HELP THE SEVEN CHILDREN WHO LOST THEIR PARENTS IN LAST FRIDAY'S WELL TRAGEDY AT HO SHEUNG HEUNG, SHEUNG SHUI, AND TO KEEP THE FAMILY TOGETHER.

+OUR PRIMARY CONCERN IS TO SEE THAT THEY STAY TOGETHER AS A FAMILY, + A SPOKESMAN FOR THE DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY (THURSDAY).

+THE PROSPECT OF THIS IS MUCH BRIGHTER NOW THAT THEIR GRANDFATHER HAS EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO BE THE IR GUARDIAN AND TO LOOK AFTER THEM.+

ONE POSSIBILITY WAS TO ARRANGE COMPASSIONATE REHOUSING FOR THE CHILDREN, THE GRANDFATHER SAID HE WOULD CONSIDER THE PROPOSAL.

+SHOULD HE DECIDE THAT HE DOES NOT WISH TO LIVE AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE, IT WOULD SEEM THAT THE BEST SOLUTION WOULD BE FOR THE CHILDREN TO REMAIN IN THEIR VILLAGE HOME AND FOR THE GRANDPARENTS TO LOOK AFTER AND TO CARE FOR THEM, THE SPOKESMAN

SAID.

+HOME HELP CAN EE ARRANGED FOR THE GRANDPARENT AND THE DEPARTMENT IS LIAISING WITH THE LOCAL RURAL COMMITTEE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF FINDING A CHILD-MINDER, PREFERABLY SOMEONE FROM THE VILLAGE.+

IN THE LONGER TERM, THE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING INTO THE POSSIBILITY OF PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR THE FAMILY. AS IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, A TOTAL OF $5 000 FROM THE TANG SHIU KIN AND HO TIM CHARITABLE FUND HAS ALREADY BEEN GRANTED TO THE FAMILY.

+FURTHER GRANTS FROM THE FUND OR OTHER FUNDS ADMINISTERED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WILL BE MADE, IF NECESSARY, TO MEET THE CHILDREN'S MORE URGENT NEEDS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

AS FOR THE LEUNG FAMILY WHO LOST THEIR FATHER IN THE WELL TRAGEDY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID THE DEPARTMENT WAS STAYING IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH THE WIDOW AND HER FIVE CHILDREN.

*WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO ARRANGE FOR THEM COMPASSIONATE HOUSING, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE SERVICES OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

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