Led by Director Ms Shirley Lau and Assistant Director Ms Angela Luk of Home Affairs Department, a team of 7 members visited the Cheng Zhang Fang-Bradbury Centre in North Point on October, 1998. One of the aims of the visit was to see the types of services provided to the newly arrived children and youths.

The reception was hosted by Director Mr Ng Shui Lai, Service Supervisor of Children and Youth Centre-based Service Ms Ena Chan, and Centre-in-charge of Cheng Zhang Fang Ms Choi Wai Yee. After seeing various facilities in the Centre, Ms Shirley Lau is arranged to have a talk with the newly arrived children and their families.

The service recipients of Cheng Zhang Fang range from 6 to 24 years old who live in the North Point district. The services provided to them include community adaptation and tutorial classes, developmental programs, and drop-in service.

A survey named "Newly Arrived Children: Services Provided by Children and Youth Centre" was done last year. Forty-six children who have arrived Hong Kong in the recent 3 years and lived in the North Point district are invited to respond to the questionnaires. The result will help to set up of a more customized service for these children.

According to the survey, the main problems encountered by these children are the living conditions, the learning process, living expenses, and getting along with other people. Among the interviewees, 70% was one family living in one room in a private estate, 67% felt that the English subject was the most difficult subject, 50% thought that their English language ability was poor or inadequate, over 30% thought that their Cantonese conversation is only average or even poor. Besides, 40% chose the tutorial classes as their first choice among various activities provided by the Centre. Ms Shirley Lau stated that the results was interesting, especially the issue of sublet rooms.

Ms Ena Chan pointed out that as a youth centre, Cheng Zhang Fang responds positively to the service needs of newly arrived children. This helps to promote the integration of people in Mainland and Hong Kong, and to build a harmonious community. However, due to the limitation on resources, it will be a challenge to balance the services provided to the newly arrived children and local children.