10 December 2014, Macau

To acknowledge senior citizens’ outstanding contribution to the community, CEM has jointly organized “Macau Outstanding Senior Citizens Award” 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 for three consecutive years. The award presentation ceremony was held in the evening on 10 December at Sofitel Macau at Ponte 16 to deliver the awards to the winning elderly.

Honorable guests attending the gathering included: Lou Sam Cheong, Deputy Director of the Office for the Development of Energy Sector; Zheng Yi Cheng, Assistant of Social Affairs Department of China Liaison Office; Lo Sok Ha, Division Chief of Elderly Service of Social Welfare Bureau; José Maria Pereira Coutinho, Mak Soi Kun, Si Ka Lon, Leong Veng Chai, Zheng Anting and Song Pek Kei, members of Legislative Assembly; Lei Pui Lam, Vice President of the Chinese Educators Association of Macau; Lam Wan Mei, Director of Seniors Academy of Macau Polytechnic Institute; Sin Chi Yeung, Chairman of Macau Elder Sports Association; Chiang Chong Sek, Director of Macau Federation of Trade Unions; Simon Wong, Deputy Director of General Residents Association of Macau; Lam Un Mui, Director of Women’s General Association of Macau; Paul Pun Chi Ming, Secretary-General of Caritas Macau; Hetzer Siu Yu Hong, Executive Director of Macau Special Olympics; Jojo CheokJennifer Chau, Administration Manager Secretary-General of Fuhong Society of Macau; Shi Yulin, CEM Executive Director; Iun Iok Meng, Advisor to CEM Executive Committee. Among the guests, Lo Sok Ha, Lei Pui Lam, Lam Wan Mei, Sin Chi Yeung and Iun Iok Meng are the members of the judging panel of the Award.

Shi Yulin paid homage to the winners and nominees of the award at the award presentation ceremony. He said that CEM held the “Macau Outstanding Senior Citizens Award” in the hope of glorifying the senior citizens’ spirit of serving the community and lifelong learning as well as encouraging younger generations to learn from their positive attitude toward life and sense of responsibility. Shi congratulated the winners and acknowledged their endeavors and determination in lifelong learning and participation in volunteer services after retirement, spreading positive energy in the community.

At the award presentation ceremony, each winner received a trophy and MOP 5,000 in cash rewards. Nominees were also invited to the ceremony to accept a letter of gratitude. The ceremony was a warm and touching event, with outstanding senior citizens being invited to demonstrate their talents, including calligraphy, painting, storytelling, chorus and doggerel.

By holding “Macau Outstanding Senior Citizens Award”, CEM aims to encourage the retirees to continue pursuing their goals in different aspects, including community, family and personal life to perpetuate the spirit of ‘old but capable’. To acknowledge senior citizens’ achievement which greatly contributed to our society, CEM has launched “Senior Citizen Support Program” and “Community Program” in which voluntary technical staff provide free of charge safety checks and rewiring of electrical installations for elder citizens living alone, underprivileged families and citizens with special needs since 2000. Starting from 2004, CEM held annual lunch gathering with 300 elderly from Taipa and Coloane. In addition, CEM organizes Ambassador Team to visit nursing homes and the elderly who are living alone during the holiday.

Winners of Macau Outstanding Senior Citizens Award and the nominating entities:

Lou Ngan Hong (Macau Federation of Trade Unions) Wong Sut Fong (Women’s General Association of Macau Elderly Centre) Kou Kok Kei (Caritas Macau Casa Ricci Elderly Center) Lau Chu Mong (Associação de Arte e Cultura "Wa Ha" Macau) Tang Io Pong (Seniors Academy of Macau Polytechnic Institute) Cheong Siu Peng (Women’s General Association of Macau Integrated Services Centre) Sam Kuai In (Macau Special Olympics) Chan Fong Kuan (Caritas Macau Ilha Verde Elderly Centre) Lau Chau Tong (General Residents Association of Macau Elderly Centre) Chu Wai I (Fuhong Society of Macau Hong leng Training Centre)