XN000022-1994-02-26 — Page 8

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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 1994

GOVERNOR UNDERLINES IMPORTANCE OF HAPPY MARRIAGE

THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, TODAY (SATURDAY) COMMENDED THE HONG KONG FAMILY WELFARE SOCIETY FOR ITS WORK IN HELPING FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE TERRITORY OVER THE PAST 45 YEARS.

AT A CEREMONY TO COMMEMORATE THE SOCIETY'S 45TH ANNIVERSARY, PATTEN UNDERLINED THE IMPORTANCE OF A HAPPY MARRIAGE.

MR

LIFE THAT

A HAPPY MARRIAGE PROVIDES THE SUPPORT AND STIMULUS THAT MEN AND

TO WOMEN NEED

THAT THIS ENJOY TO THE FULL THE OPPORTUNITIES OFFERS AND TO HELP COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES AND DISAPPOINTMENTS ARE PART OF LIFE, HE SAID.

TO CHILDREN, IT GIVES THEM NURTURE AND PROTECTION AS WELL AS AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH THEY CAN LEARN LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING.

MR PATTEN ADDED THAT A GOOD MARRIAGE ALSO GAVE AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO FRIENDS.

IT

IS SUPREMELY WORTH THE EFFORT, ALL THE TIME THOUGHT NEEDED TO MAKE MARRIAGES WORK, HE SAID.

DELIGHT, HELP

AND ALL THE

"I HAVE BEEN TREMENDOUSLY FORTUNATE MYSELF TO HAVE THE OF A GOOD FAMILY AND I WANT EVERYONE TO ENJOY THE SAME BLESSING, SAID.

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SUPPORT HE

0

PRESERVE AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES,

SAYS SOCIAL WELFARE DIRECTOR

PRESERVING AND STRENGTHENING FAMILIES FROM BREAKING DOWN IN NEW TOWNS HAS BECOME A PRIORITY FOR THE GOVERNMENT AND NON-GOVERNMENTAL SECTOR, THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL WELFARE, MR IAN STRACHAN, SAID TODAY

(SATURDAY).

HEALTH

SPEAKING AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF BRADBURY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTRE IN TSEUNG KWAN O, MR STRACHAN SAID FAMILIES MOVING TO NEW TOWNS MIGHT HAVE TO FACE MORE STRESSES OWING TO THE FEELING STRANGENESS TO THE NEW ENVIRONMENT, ISOLATION FROM FRIENDS AND RELATIVES AND RESTRUCTURING OF FAMILY LIFE STYLE.

HE

"MANY OF THESE FAMILIES ARE IN NEED OF ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE WITHOUT WHICH FAMILY PROBLEMS WOULD PROBABLY FOLLOW IN THE WAKE, SAID.

HE EXPLAINED THAT A SERIES OF PREVENTIVE, SUPPORTIVE AND REMEDIAL SERVICES HAD BEEN DEVELOPED TO MEET THE VARYING NEEDS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF FAMILY.

PREVENTIVE WELFARE

BY SERVICES ARE DISCHARGED MAINLY LIFE EDUCATION, AND GROUP AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMMES.

/THE THEME

FAMILY