24 Agency staff across different sectors of Hong Kong Christian Service, led by the Chief Executive, Mr. Ng Shui-lai, traveled to Guangzhou from 4 - 8 April for a study tour.

This tour was again a success, just like those held in 1999 and 2000 to Beijing and Shanghai respectively. The goal of the tour was to offer an opportunity for the participants to learn more about the social welfare system and types of social services provided in Guangzhou. It also hoped to deepen their understanding of the overall social welfare policies, professionalism and administration structure of Mainland China. The Agency encouraged the participants to exchange their feelings and work experiences with Guangzhou's social workers. This would strengthen the communication network between them and enhance the participants' understanding of the role the Agency plays in Guangzhou.

During the 4 days, tour members visited two beneficiaries, the Social Work Department of both Guangdong Commercial College and Sun Yat-Sen University. They took part in the students' informal discussion, and also conversed with our partner, Good Shepherd Consulting Co. Ltd.

In addition, tour members visited Hua Lin Street Office in Li Wan District and Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau. They had lunch with their officials including the General Director, to learn more about the overall picture of the social welfare situation in Guangzhou. Next, they visited the Likang Family Resource Centre and the All China Youth Federation. Then, they visited the Guangzhou Home for the Aged, run by the Guangzhou Civil Affairs Bureau as well as the two self-financed, non-profit-making organizations, Bai Yun Drug Addicts Rehabilitation Centre and Luke Home for the Elderly. They had a sharing and consolidation time at the Luke Home for the Elderly before heading home to Hong Kong.

There was a lot of positive feedback from the participants upon their return. They expressed that through this tour, not only did they learn more about the social welfare situation and social needs in Guangzhou and the Mainland, but they realized the frustrations and challenges faced by the social work students there as well. They all gained a heightened sense of mission and motivation to participate in the Agency's Mainland China Social Service Projects.