bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

SCMP Reporter

Make mainlanders feel at home

Every day 150 mainlanders are given the right of abode in Hong Kong. Many of them are children, but only a small  portion of government resources is allocated to help  them better adapt to their new environment.

This  has exposed them to various problems in school  and society.

Mainland children have a tough task coping with the local curriculum, especially English, and are hampered by communication problems.

Only a handful of them can speak Cantonese, so they find it hard to adjust to their new surroundings.

They also encounter difficulties caused by the differences in culture as well as lifestyle.  They don't know much about fashion and trendy gadgets so they are ignored by local children.

Mainland children risk becoming 'outcasts' if those problems persist.

I have a few suggestions that could help bridge the gap between local and mainland children.

Social service organisations should conduct English and Cantonese classes for the mainlanders, while a  pen-pal programme could help the two groups to exchange their ideas and feelings.

They should meet frequently to help the newcomers integrate into society.

We should do everything possible to make mainland children feel at home.

Li Hon-man

Donate organs and save lives

What would your family do after you die? Will they bury or cremate you?   I would choose to donate my organs after I die.

Some people are opposed to removing organs from a dead body. They say we should respect the diseased by keeping their 'whole' body.

But I don't think this is important. Donating organs is all about saving lives.

After we die, we don't need any of our organs.  So why don't we donate some of the organs to people who need them most? It can help  a lot of people and make them happier.

For example, we can donate our corneas, heart, lungs and kidneys. Imagine how many lives can be saved?  We should support organ donation. Don't be trapped in our ancient traditions.

Tse Pik-kwan

Christian Alliance S.C. Chan Memorial College

Diaries are private

In the past, many students kept a diary to record their experiences and feelings.

But, as the internet has become an important part of their lives, blogs have replaced diaries.

Blogging is totally different from keeping a diary though. Students can't  mention  people who they dislike on the internet because it can hurt them.

Bloggers need to be selective about what they are going to write so they can't really pour their hearts out.

I write my diary every day. It is convenient and I can express all my emotions. Besides, I don't need to consider other people's feelings.

A dairy is a personal thing.

It should not be seen by the public.

Yeung Tsz-wun

A lack of vision

A redevelopment project in Tsuen Wan may impede airflows into the heart of the district and affect business in a street which is famous for its dried seafood stalls.

With the foundation work nearing completion, the two 45-storey  tower blocks of Vision City Phase Two will soar into the sky in the near future.

Besides, there will be several storeys of podiums propping up the high-rise building.

The project will deprive people  of fresh air and they could get  sick easily.

It also risks putting the dried seafood stall holders out of business.

The government should think about the people living in Tsuen Wan and scrap the project.

Amanda Cheng

Our Lady of the  Rosary College

Ways to deter school bullies

I would like to express my views regarding the article 'Don't just stand there' (Young Post, February 27).

The story is about helping students and teachers get a better understanding of crime and bullying through activities and workshops.

I believe more can be done to combat the problem of bullying.

Schools can invite a social worker or senior police officer to give a talk to students on the subject.

Students should realise the serious consequences of bullying.

This will make the bullies think twice before they harass their schoolmates.

I totally agree with the writer: schools should be a harmonious place and bullying should not be allowed.

I hope all students will recognise it and learn to respect their school mates. This way, they will truly enjoy their school life.

Raymond Yu

STFA Cheng Yu Tung  Secondary School

Health comes first

I was deeply affected by a foreign tourist's comment about Hong Kong. He said the city is a money-oriented society.

With their fast-paced lifestyle,  almost all Hongkongers want to be wealthier.

But we could find that health is more  valuable than wealth.

If a person earns a lot of money, but they are sick most of the time, they won't be happy.

But a person who is healthy, though not very rich,  will enjoy life.  To be healthy, we should exercise regularly and take part in sports, such as swimming and basketball.

A balanced diet is also crucial for good health. Avoid eating junk food and draw up a diet plan which includes more rice, fruits and vegetables.  A healthy lifestyle can bring us many advantages.

Yeung Chun

Islam Kasim Tuet  Memorial College

Hong Kong's soul won't change

Hongkongers are very materialistic. We measure a person's success by their salary and our goals in life include owning a Mercedes and a Rolex watch.

Once we have achieved those targets, we can retire happily.

This tradition is passed on from one generation to another and during this time we may witness many changes.

Sometimes, the changes are taking place so fast you feel disoriented and left behind.

In the blink of an eye, there goes our Star Ferry and Clock Tower.  It's like a computer - you change the hardware as you try to keep up with the fast-changing world. You may get new speakers, monitors and webcams, but the software, Windows, will  be the same except for minor modifications.

Ten years from now, I am sure more  historical monuments will be torn down to be replaced with businesses.

These changes are inevitable, as they occur in every developing country around the globe.

But, to me, the 'software' is more important than the 'hardware'. It is what truly represents  this unique multi-cultural city.

Ten years may  be  a long time,  but  the software will mostly remain intact.

This is why I believe when I am 26 years old, I would still fantasise about a Mercedes and a Rolex watch, while queuing up in Cafe de Coral for a cheap, quick lunch.

John Chang Lik-chun

St Paul's  Co-educational College



Have your say