The
"Senior Volunteer Instructor Training Workshop" of HKCS Open
Institute for Senior Citizens has won the best project in "Developing
the Potential of Senior" of the "Opportunities for the Elderly
Project for 2000" campaign organized by the Social Welfare Department.
Award presentation was held on March 3, 2001, co-organized by the Social
Welfare Department & Radio Television Hong Kong Channel 5.
This project, which was supported by the Lottery Fund,
was designed as a future reference model to the concept of senior volunteer
instructor. Through activities like talks, field practices and training
day camps, the concept of "empowerment" and "strengths
model" were implemented that elders could explore their own strengths
and build up confidence to be an instructor. It was indeed an opportunity
for them to re-establish their self-esteem and to feel recognized.
Some feedbacks from the participants said,"....attending
the workshop is the most honourable thing since my retirement, I have
gained a lot from it","......I can say from the bottom of
my heart that I have made big advancement in self-improvement."
Mrs. Amy To, the coordinator of the workshop, believes
that this "mutual benefit" training model falls in line with
the new direction of elderly service - "Productive Aging".
