Organisations that Help People
FoundationSocial services in Hong Kong come from the government and voluntary bodies together: the Social Welfare Department along with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Po Leung Kuk and the Hong Kong Red Cross care for the elderly, children and the disadvantaged; we can join in by donating money, goods and time.
- Government departments and voluntary bodies provide social services together.
- The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Po Leung Kuk have long served ordinary people's education and health.
- The Hong Kong Red Cross promotes blood donation, first aid and disaster relief.
文體小知識：知識介紹說明文介紹機構的背景和服務，讀完就會認識幫助別人的不同途徑。
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1In every community there are people who need help: elderly people living alone, low-income families, people with disabilities and children in difficulty. Hong Kong's social services come from the government and voluntary bodies working together. The government's Social Welfare Department runs assistance schemes and services for the elderly and families; voluntary bodies such as the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Po Leung Kuk, the Hong Kong Red Cross, the Salvation Army and St. James' Settlement run schools, homes for the elderly, youth centres and community services.
2Some organisations are known to every household. The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Po Leung Kuk have long histories of caring for the education and health of ordinary people. The Hong Kong Red Cross promotes blood donation and first-aid training and sends rescuers when disasters strike. The Community Chest raises funds each year and shares them among over a hundred welfare organisations. World Vision and Oxfam carry care beyond Hong Kong to poor communities around the world.
3Funding comes from government subventions and public donations. The familiar flag-selling days see volunteers selling stickers in the streets to raise money; on the Community Chest's Dress Special Day, pupils give a small donation in return for not wearing school uniform. The money raised serves the disadvantaged, with open and transparent accounts for the public to see.
4You need not wait until you grow up to help: donate clean, complete old toys and books for organisations to pass to children in need; join the school visiting team and perform for the elderly in care homes; give part of your lucky money to a trusted organisation. Small acts of kindness add up to the greatest warmth in the community.
1Summary 重點摘要
Social services in Hong Kong come from the government and voluntary bodies together: the Social Welfare Department along with the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Po Leung Kuk and the Hong Kong Red Cross care for the elderly, children and the disadvantaged; we can join in by donating money, goods and time.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
The government department running social security and welfare services.
A long-established charity running hospitals, schools and social services.
A long-established charity that once protected women and children and now runs schools and services.
The body promoting blood donation, first-aid training and disaster relief.
The body that raises funds yearly and shares them among over a hundred welfare organisations.
A charity event where volunteers sell stickers in the streets to raise money.
People needing extra care from society, such as the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income families.
Money given to help people in need.
The first help given to an injured or ill person before professionals arrive.
3Step by step Steps
- Step 1: Learn the two kinds of bodiesSocial services in Hong Kong come from two main kinds of bodies. The Social Welfare Department is a government department funded by public money; the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Po Leung Kuk and the Salvation Army are voluntary bodies run on donations and grants. Working hand in hand and making up for each other's gaps, they carry services to every corner where help is needed. Government bodies and voluntary organisations each have their own roles; when in difficulty, first work out which kind of body to turn to.
- Step 2: Know whom each service helpsEvery organisation serves a clear group of people. Care homes serve elderly people without family care, providing lodging, meals and nursing; children's homes look after children who lack family care and give them a warm place to live; rehabilitation centres assist people with disabilities with training and support. Knowing whom each body serves helps you find the right help when it is needed. Some bodies also run hotlines and online forms; ask your parents to help make contact when enquiring about services.
- Step 3: Learn what famous organisations doSome famous organisations' work is already part of our daily life. The Hong Kong Red Cross promotes blood donation and first-aid training — hospital blood comes from kind citizens; the Community Chest holds fundraising events every year and shares the money among over a hundred welfare bodies; the Salvation Army collects old clothes and passes them to people in need. Knowing them shows how society's net of care is woven. The organisations' websites and annual reports describe their services in detail — reliable sources when you gather material for a report.
- Step 4: Understand fundraising eventsCharities raise their funds through special events. On Saturday flag days, volunteers sell small flag stickers in the streets and citizens give money in exchange, with the proceeds going to member bodies; on Dress Special Day, pupils give a small donation and come to school out of uniform. Joining these events helps others and gives the whole class a happy memory of doing good together. Discuss with your family before giving money and choose organisations of good repute, so donations go to the right place.
- Step 5: Find your own way to helpEven primary pupils can find ways to help. Donate clean, complete old toys and books to collection bodies so they find new owners; give part of your lucky money to an organisation you trust to help people in need; join school visits and bring joy to elderly people. Doing good has no age limit, and giving a little already matters. Choose the form of help that suits your ability — giving time, goods or thoughtfulness — each is precious.
- Step 6: Watch for needs around youHelping does not need to wait for an appeal; begin by noticing needs around you. Watch whether anyone in class or nearby is in difficulty: if a new classmate is struggling to fit in, invite them to play and introduce the school; if an elderly neighbour cannot move about easily, tell your parents and think of a way to care together. With attentive eyes, chances to help are everywhere. While caring for others, protect yourself too: when something is beyond your ability, tell an adult or an organisation at once.
4Diagrams Diagrams
5Worked example Example
Example: the school is holding a Caring for the Elderly Week, and Yi wants to do her bit for the elderly in a nearby care home. What can she do?
- Prepare a simple performance with classmates — songs or a recitation — and join the visiting team to perform for the elderly.
- Make cards and small gifts by hand and give them personally to each elderly person during the visit.
- Donate clean, complete old books to the care home's reading corner to enrich the elderly's pastime.
- After the visit, discuss with her family about donating part of her pocket money to an organisation serving the elderly, supporting its work.
- Answer: Yi can join the visiting team to perform for the elderly, give handmade cards and small gifts, donate books to enrich the reading corner, and give part of her pocket money to an organisation serving the elderly — caring for them in several ways.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Who provides social services in Hong Kong?
Q2What services does the Hong Kong Red Cross promote?
Q3What is a flag-selling day?
Q4What is special about the Community Chest?
Q5How can primary pupils help others?
8Recap Recap
- Government departments and voluntary bodies provide social services together.
- The Tung Wah Group of Hospitals and Po Leung Kuk have long served ordinary people's education and health.
- The Hong Kong Red Cross promotes blood donation, first aid and disaster relief.
- Flag-selling days and Dress Special Day are familiar fundraising events.
- By giving goods, money and time, primary pupils can help others too.