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Young people interested in serving in underprivileged areas of the Mainland should grab the opportunity to join the Service Corps programme (Phase II), which closes for applications this Friday (December 30). The participants can gain valuable volunteering and personal development experience by serving schoolchildren in Shaoguan City in Guangdong Province for a period of six months beginning in February 2012.
Organised by the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB), the programme aims to promote youth development and volunteerism. It seeks to develop the tenacity and potential of Hong Kong youth, and to encourage them to serve others.
With support from the Municipal Government of Shaoguan City and programme management in respect of service placement and accommodation, the programme will begin in February 2012 and conclude in July 2012.
A maximum of 30 participants will be recruited for the Phase II programme to provide teaching assistance. Participants, usually in groups of three, will be placed in different schools in Shaoguan City to help teachers carry out daily teaching activities and organise extra-curricular activities.
The programme comprises three components, namely pre-departure training, field service and follow-up activities, through which participants will gain more exposure and experience. During the field service period, participants can join study trips or other voluntary activities arranged by local government authorities, including visits to city establishments, enterprises, government organisations and local villages, as well as exchanges with local youths.
To support the young people taking part in the programme, the HAB will arrange on-campus accommodation for participants and provide necessary subsidies, including a basic living allowance of RMB3,000 per month, two round trips to and from Hong Kong and the place of service, as well as reimbursement of expenses on third-party liability insurance, general personal medical insurance and travel insurance. The HAB will also engage experienced counsellors to support the participants.
Participants who complete the service with satisfactory performance will be granted a certificate and a cash award. Participants can also nominate a service recipient in Shaoguan to make a study visit to Hong Kong.
Participants must be aged between 18 and 29, and capable of communicating in Putonghua as well as reading and writing simplified Chinese characters. Interested youngsters can download the application form from the Service Corps website and submit the completed form together with supporting documents by December 30, 2011.
For applications or further information on the programme, please contact the HAB on 3509 7001 or visit the Service Corps website at www.servicecorps.hk.
Ends/Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 14:01
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