In groups, they visited senior citizens, the physically and mentally disabled, hospitalised children and those suffering from autism. They also helped recent arrivals adapt to their new environment.

At an awards presentation ceremony at Lingnan College, participants shared the valuable experiences they had gained.

Cheung Wing-ying, a fourth- former at Madam Lau Kam Lung Secondary School, visited old people who were living alone.

'They were very indifferent at the beginning, but gradually they became friendly,' the 16- year-old said.

'It was understandable, considering that they didn't even know who we were or where we had come from.

'Being patient is the only way to start a friendship with the elderly.

'And having learned how to do household work was an added bonus.' Chan Sau-ha, who counselled the students, said many had undergone significant changes during the project.

'Some of the students were only in Secondary Three. They had never done any housework. So I had to help them organise things and keep a close watch on them,' she said.

'But now they have become much more mature and better organised and have learned how to care for others.

'I feel happy about the change as it's very positive,' she said.

Lingnan students were assigned to each team as advisers or observers.

Leung Wing-sze, 21, a third- year social science student, said she had learned many things from the young students.

'We did not contribute that much, in fact. We only gave them some guidelines. Actually, their enthusiasm impressed me very much,' she said.

The scheme was organised by the Community Development Committee of Lingnan College and sponsored by the Government's Committee on Promotion of Civic Education.