XN000022-1992-05-05 — Page 11

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TUESDAY, MAY 5, 1992

PROPER TRAINING ESSENTIAL TO HELP YOUTHS

IT IS A MATTER OF URGENCY TO OFFER PROPER ADOLESCENTS SO AS TO PREVENT THEM FROM BECOMING YOUTHS EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, MRS RITA FAN HSU TODAY (TUESDAY).

TO

TRAINING AT RISK, AN LAI-TAI, SAID

ADDRESSING THE OPENING OF WAI YEE HOSTEL OF THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN TUEN MUN, SHE SAID A NUMBER OF FACTORS, INCLUDING THE INCREASE OF DIVORCE CASES AND THE NUMBER OF SINGLE-PARENT FAMILIES, AND THE CHANGE OF WOMEN'S ROLES IN A FAMILY MIGHT MOVE THE ADOLESCENTS AWAY FROM AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY COULD OBTAIN ADEQUATE CARE AND GUIDANCE.

"IN THIS RESPECT, THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OFFERING APPROPRIATE HELP TO THEM,' SHE ADDED.

"

SHE SAID FAMILY AND CHILD CARE SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT WERE AIMED AT MAINTAINING AND ENHANCING FAMILY RELATIONS AS WELL AS HELPING TO ESTABLISH A MUTUAL CARE RELATIONSHIP.

"THEREFORE, THE DEPARTMENT SET UP WAI YEE HOSTEL TO PROVIDE RESIDENTIAL CARE FOR GIRLS AGED BETWEEN SEVEN AND 18, WHO ARE SUBJECTS OF COURT ORDERS UNDER THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND JUVENILES ORDINANCE, MRS FAN SAID.

IT

ALSO SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF THE HOSTEL, THE ACTING SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE, DR LEE SHIU-HUNG, SAID THE HOSTEL'S TRAINING PROGRAMMES AND ACTIVITIES WERE TAILORED TOWARDS THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS OF THE GIRLS.

"IN ADDITION, PARENTS OR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PAY VISITS TO THE GIRLS WEEKLY SO AS TO PROMOTE FAMILY COMMUNICATION AND FACILITATE THE GIRLS' RE-INTEGRATION INTO THE COMMUNITY," DR LEE SAID.

MEANWHILE, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR M.D. CARTLAND, IN HIS VOTE OF THANKS, SAID THE DEPARTMENT WOULD CONTINUE TO DEDICATE ITS EFFORT TO THE WORTHWHILE CAUSE OF HELPING THE GIRLS AT THE HOSTEL.

HE ALSO COMMENDED THE SUPERINTENDENT AND HER STAFF FOR THEIR EFFORT AND CONTRIBUTION TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE OBJECTIVES OF THE HOSTEL.

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