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The Secretary for Justice, Mr Wong Yan Lung, SC, today (January 16) visited Tuen Mun District to meet local residents and learn about their needs for community services and everyday life.
Accompanied by Tuen Mun District Officer, Mr Eddie Cheung, Mr Wong visited a group of women and children who have joined a neighbourhood mutual assistance scheme called "Love and Integration" in Po Tin Estate.
He noted that the scheme had enabled participants to help and support one another in a good neighbourhood spirit and led to an enhanced sense of belonging to the community.
Launched by the Tuen Mun District Office through the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong (ELCHK) at Po Tin Estate, this three-year pilot scheme has recruited about 100 families living in the estate to become volunteers called "Po Tin Ambassadors".
As one of the services under the scheme, the ELCHK has provided venue and arranged for volunteers to help parents, such as those who need to work or are hospitalised, to take care of their children temporarily.
Mr Wong also visited some South Asian members of the Tuen Mun District Junior Police Call (JPC). They have joined cricket classes and participated in other activities through a project organised by the Tuen Mun Police District.
The project aims to facilitate their integration into the community. These JPC members have also been actively assisting the police in anti-drug and anti-crime publicity work.
On today's visit, Mr Wong also toured a cafe operated by the Providence Garden for Rehab of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council. This social enterprise provides job opportunities for the underprivileged in the district and business has been fairly successful.
In the cafe, Mr Wong met members of the Tuen Mun District Council and the District Fight Crime Committee to hear views on public services as well as law and order issues in the district.
Ends/Friday, January 16, 2009
Issued at HKT 17:51
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