Twelve orphans from Jilin Province in the far north of China spent Christmas in Hong Kong helping others in need. The junior secondary students from Jilin Province School for Orphans joined 19 local young volunteers in house cleaning for the elderly living alone in Ngau Tau Kok housing estate. The young people also toured Hong Kong together. The five-day visit was jointly organised by World Vision China Office and Caritas Community Centre at Ngau Tau Kok. Since much of the school's funding came from Hong Kong, it was hoped that the students would learn more of the SAR, said Joanna Mok Po-king, Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances (CEDC) programme officer at World Vision's Jilin office. 'We also hope they can do something for this place and develop a positive attitude to life through the activity,' she said. Set up in 1996 under the WV China Partners programme, CEDC assists orphans and disabled children. The School for Orphans was founded by the government but has been supported by CEDC since 1999. It provides primary school to higher diploma courses for about 600 students. The brief visit was an eye-opener for both groups of youngsters. Jenny Yau Chung-yuk, 22, described her new friends as friendly and easy-going. 'I thought orphans would be quiet and detached. But they are no different from us,' she said. Though Ocean Park was wonderful, the Jilin students enjoyed Repulse Bay most. Coming from landlocked Changchun, 15-year-old Wang Xu was so excited that he tasted the sea water. 'They immediately took off shoes and went into the water. They picked up pieces of broken glass, put sand into bottles so that they could bring it home,' recalled Kevin Kung, 12. 'It was a moving experience.' So what was their New Year wish? Gong Xian, 17, hoped: 'That all those who have helped us enjoy a peaceful year.'
