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Where? 63 Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong.

What? China Coast Community (CCC) is a charity organisation that helps English-speaking elderly

people in Hong Kong who do not have access to government-sponsored facilities or  homes for the elderly. The group runs a care and attention home in Kowloon Tong.

How? Visit www.chinacoastcommunity.org.hk or call CCC on 2337 7266. The group requires committed volunteers for a  variety of services such as helping with monthly outings or regular activities like bingo.

Teen volunteer: Christopher Lee Chun-yin, 12, is a Form Two student at the Australian International School Hong Kong.

'In the beginning, I didn't know what to say to the elderly people. But   that soon changed. You need to get to know the people first - what they like and don't like. Then you can talk to them and make friends.

Helping old people is good because they are often lonely. They don't have many people to talk to. I

benefit from spending time with them by learning how to take care of old people. I also get to brush up on my history knowledge and play bingo.

The people are in their 60s and 70s. They talk about planes, wars and past times. Some like to tell how they helped in the war making planes and other things. In return, I tell them what's happening at school and how things have changed.

They also talk about when they were in school. Their teachers used to cane bad boys but now teachers just give detentions. I think the cane is better because it hurts so you will remember.

I enjoy playing bingo and letting the old people win some money. They sometimes shake a little, so I help them.

If they can't see the number on the bingo card, I will point to it so they can put the marker on.

The prize is $10. I don't get anything, except happiness.

I have made particularly good friends with Simon and John. They are both in their 70s. They like to share their opinions on TV programmes like cooking shows or movies they watch on Pearl or Jade.

The people in the home are always cheerful. Their knowledge of history is also  helpful - I am not doing a history project at the moment, but the information may come in handy next year.

Old people are usually kind. They can be just as chatty and helpful as your classmates.'



China Coast Community