3 December 2013, Macau

The award presentation ceremony of the “Macau Outstanding Senior Citizens Award” event was jointly held today by CEM along with the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, General Residents Association of Macau, Women’s General Association of Macau, Caritas Macau, Macau Special Olympics and Fuhong Society of Macau. It was a touching event, aimed at recognizing ten senior citizens who upheld a learning spirit and served the society.

The award presentation ceremony was held at 7pm at Sands Macau Hotel, with guests in attendance including Kuan Xiang Kun, Senior Assistant Director of the Social Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in MSAR, Samio Lou Sam Cheong, Deputy Director of GDSE; Cheong Wai Fan from Social Welfare Bureau of MSAR Government; Lei Pui Lam, the Vice-President of the Chinese Education Association of Macau; Lam Wan Mei, the Director of Seniors Academy of Macau Polytechnic Institute; Sin Chi Yeung, President of Macau Elder Sports Association; Ng Siu Lai, President of General Residents Association of Macau；Lam Yuen Mui, President of the Women´s General Association of Macau; Pun Iok Lan, Consultant of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions；Leong Iok Wa, Vice-President of the Macau Federation of Trade Unions; Paul Pun Chi Ming, Secretary-General of Caritas Macau; Hetzer Siu Yu Hong, Executive Director of Macau Special Olympics; Jojo Cheok, Administration Manager of Fuhong Society of Macau; and Lei Chi Fong, Vice-President of CEM Customer Liaison Committee.

To encourage retirees to pursue lifelong learning and serve their communities, CEM held the first “Macau Outstanding Senior Citizens Award” last year. As it was very well-received by the public, especially senior citizens who all recognized the significance of holding this event, CEM decided to continue to hold this event again in 2013 to recognize senior citizens who are enthusiastic about social service.

Members of the judging panel include President of the Chinese Educators Association of Macao Lei Pui Lam, Chief of the Senior Citizen Services department under the Social Welfare Bureau Lo Sok Ha, Director of Seniors Academy of Macau Polytechnic Institute Lam Wan Mei, Chairman of Macau Elder Sports Association Sin Chi Yeung, and Advisor to CEM Executive Committee Iun Iok Meng.

At the award presentation ceremony, CEM Executive Director Jorge Vieira thanked the co-organizers and jury members for their great support. He believed that the story of each award-winning senior citizen tells us that as long as one studies diligently and is willing to devote his or her true heart and love to make contributions to the society, he or she can continue to give back to the society and is thusly deserving of recognition by all walks of life, regardless of his or her age, background and social stratum.

The selected winners are Lou Pak Cheong, Vong Hon Peng, Kan Chi Ioi, Lau Iu Peng, Lam Va Kin, Cheong Hon Man, Wong Sio Seong, Fong Fong Pou, Kwan Kit Mui Teresa, Ng Choi Van. Almost all of them are between the ages of 65 and 85, and come from different social backgrounds.

The eldest winner, 85-year-old Cheong Hon Man, is still full of energy. He has been actively working as a volunteer for 17 years after retirement. He was a volunteer for Macau Social Welfare Bureau, Commission against Corruption of Macau SAR, Association of Volunteer Social Service Macau, the elderly health committee of Caritas Macau and more. He often organized and brought his volunteer friends to visit disadvantaged groups in Macau and other areas. Two of the winners, Lau Iu Peng and Lam Va Kin, have served the Macau Federation of Trade Unions for over fifty years. When they were young, they participated in various meaningful social services, thus gaining a fulfilling and meaningful life. Their lifelong working spirit even after retirement and continuing support of the younger generation have made them good role models for the community.

At the award presentation ceremony, each joyful winner received a trophy and MOP 5,000 in cash as encouragement. Afterwards, award recipients jointly sang the Chinese song “Strolling on the road of life”, which says that no matter how many setbacks one encounters in life, he or she must never give up and strive to move forward, so as to enjoy a rich and wonderful life.