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Showing we care about the elderly

I visited an elderly woman who lived alone in a voluntary programme organised by the club house in my residential complex.

My neighbour and I went to a flat in a government housing estate. Our host was 75 years old and had no children. Her husband had passed away four years ago. She was very happy to see us.

She made tea for us and we talked a lot. We helped her with the housework and went to the wet market to buy some food for her.

I am very proud that as a student, I can help people and show I care about them. I hope I will get more opportunities to visit elderly people and talk to them. Helping others makes us happier.

Jasmine Tse, SKH Lam Kau Mow Secondary School

Not a sweet deal for consumers

Recent tests conducted by the Consumer Council on the amount of sugar in drinks have raised public concern. Many popular drinks contain a high level of sugar but consumers may not be aware of this.

Sometimes, they may be misled by claims such as 'less sweet', 'unsweetened' or 'reduced sugar'. This may not mean the products really contain less sugar. I think there should be legislation to ensure consumers are aware of the sugar content in all drinks.

Many people are confused by the unit 'grams' in food labels. Maybe it could be replaced by 'teaspoons'. This would help consumers choose a drink with less sugar.

The government should also set up guidelines on the sugar content of drinks which claim to be 'slightly sweetened'.

I hope one day I will be able to tell the sugar content in drinks just by looking at the label.

Sophia Hung Wai-ki, Our Lady of the Rosary College

Be proud of HK's sports showpiece

The East Asian Games (EAG) will be held here next month, but not many people know about it. It seems most Hongkongers are not interested in sports. For example, I recently joined an athletic competition, but there were very few participants.

Maybe there are not enough venues in Hong Kong for people to take part in their favourite sport.

Some of my friends always complain there are not enough volleyball courts. Does this mean volleyball is not very popular in the city?

The government should build more sports facilities so more people can take part in sports activities. We should be proud we are hosting the EAG. The government should launch promotions and motivate the public to be part of the city's biggest sports extravaganza.

Yammi Cheung

No need for harbour reclamation

Victoria Harbour is one of Hong Kong's most famous landmarks, but it is becoming less attractive due to reclamation. There are both advantages and disadvantages in reclaiming land for development.

On the plus side, reclamation creates more job opportunities and lowers the unemployment rate. It could also boost the government's popularity.

New developments could enhance the beauty of our harbour front and more recreational facilities could be provided for the public.

But one of downsides of reclamation is it damages the marine ecosystem. The water becomes more polluted, endangering marine life.

Besides, as more buildings are built, Hong Kong's air quality worsens. Tall buildings block sunlight and wind, leading to poor ventilation and a rise in the city's temperatures.

Despite the advantages, I do not think harbour reclamation is a good idea.

Wendy Wan

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