The Director of Social Welfare (DSW), Ms Carol Yip, showed her care and concern for some 180 DSW wards as well as children and adolescents receiving residential care services from the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) today (January 21) during a joyful reunion with them at the 2017 Award Presentation Ceremony for DSW wards, co-organised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) and the TWGHs. She also commended those who made remarkable achievements or showed great improvements in academic studies, conduct, sports, arts and serving others last year.

     Speaking at the ceremony, Ms Yip expressed her appreciation to the awardees for being able to overcome difficulties in their life and learning, and being positive to face challenges such as coping with the loss of family members and disabilities affecting personal development. She also encouraged children attending the ceremony to continue to try their very best and strive to attain their higher goals.

     Ms Yip expressed her gratitude to relatives, carers, volunteers and social workers who have been offering care and support to these children. She also thanked the TWGHs for co-organising and sponsoring the event, which has offered great encouragement and best wishes for the children, for the 12th consecutive year.

     At the ceremony today, a total of 45 children and adolescents were presented with either the Best Achievement Awards or the Best Improvement Awards.

     Children and adolescents are made wards of the DSW in accordance with the court procedures stipulated in the Protection of Children and Juveniles Ordinance (Cap 213) for various reasons, such as death, loss, imprisonment, long-term hospitalisation or incapability of their parents, or their being unable or unsuitable to live with their family members. The SWD's case workers, according to the family conditions and needs of the wards, draw up appropriate long-term welfare plans for them, such as arranging for adoption or reunion with their families, or preparing them to live independently when they become grown-ups.

     As at the end of November 2016, there were a total of 620 DSW wards. Among them, 42 per cent lived in foster care homes or small group homes. Thirty-five per cent lived in institutions while the rest lived on their own or with their parents, siblings or relatives.

     Also officiating at today's ceremony was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the TWGHs, Mrs Katherine Ma.

Ends/Saturday, January 21, 2017
Issued at HKT 13:47

NNNN