5 December 2016, Macau

With the aim of recognizing diligent senior citizens, CEM took the initiative in Macau to organize the “Macau Outstanding Senior Citizen Award” starting from 2012. The event is co-organized by the Macau Federation of Trade Unions, General Residents Association of Macau, Women’s General Association of Macau, Association of Returned Overseas Chinese Macau, Caritas Macau, Macau Special Olympics and Fu Hong Society of Macau. The Award Presentation of the 5th Macau Outstanding Senior Citizen Award was held at the Macau Tower Convention and Entertainment Centre in the evening on 5 December. Besides the ten award winners of this year, CEM also invited the 40 award winners of the previous four years to celebrate the success of having the activity organized for five consecutive years. The scene was warm and lively.

By holding Macau Outstanding Senior Citizen Award, CEM hopes to encourage the elderly to continue giving full play to their potential after retirement, so as to add positive energy to their later life as well as pass down their rich life experience and wisdom to the next generation through participating in various activities, thereby making contributions to the society and perpetuating the spirit of ’old but capable’. The ten winners of “Senior Citizens” and the nomination units are Ung Mei Chok (Seniors Academy of Macau Polytechnic Institute), Cheong Iu Fai (Macau Federation of Trade Unions Evergreen Activity Centre), Lai Si Kin (Caritas Macau Casa Ricci Elderly Center), Ng Chi Meng (Fuhong Society of Macau), Siu Lai Meng (Macao Trade Union of Garment Workers), Lei Chi Hong (Women’s General Association of Macau Elderly Centre), Tchiang Tit Seng (Obra das Mães Elderly Centre), Chio Kin Leong (Macau Special Olympics), Vong Lei Va (General Residents Association of Macau Ilha Verde Community Centre) and Lee Tin Sheung (Peng On Tung Tele-Assistance Service Centre).

Shi Yulin, CEM Executive Director, congratulated the elected elders and expressed gratitude to them for their contributions to Macau, saying they are founders of Macau and witnesses of the city’s development for over half a century. They devoted their enthusiasm to serve the society and contributed their specialties in different fields, and have been actively participating in volunteer work, setting a good example for younger generations. Shi Yulin also expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the supporting associations and professional judges for their contribution to the success of the activity.

Honorable guests attending the Ceremony included Lam Heong Sang, Vice President of Legislative Assembly; Zhao Kuiwei, Deputy Director of Social Affairs Department of China Liaison Office; Lo Sok Ha, Division Chief of Elderly Service of Social Welfare Bureau; Vong Kok Seng, President of CEM Customer Liaison Committee; 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, Vice President of Macau Elder Sports Association; Chiang Chong Sek, Director of Macau Federation of Trade Unions; Lam Un Mui, Director of Women’s General Association of Macau; Lam Man Chi, Social Service Deputy Director of General Residents Association of Macau; Lai Miu Leng, Service in Charge of Life Hope Hotline of Caritas Macau; Ng Chio Weng, Vocational Rehabilitation Services Manager of Macau Special Olympics; Jojo Cheok, Administrative Manager of Fuhong Society of Macau; Shi Yulin, Executive Director of CEM; Benjamin Yue and Iun Iok Meng, Principal Advisor and 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. At the award presentation ceremony, each winner received a trophy and MOP 5,000 in cash rewards. The outstanding senior citizens were invited to demonstrate their talents, including Chinese painting, song in sign language, Cha-Cha, Wlatz, fitball and Qinqin. The Award Ceremony ended in a happy atmosphere with the wonderful performances.

CEM has been committed to serving the community and giving back to the society through various channels in addition to donations. For instance, CEM launched the “Community Program” in which voluntary technical staff provide free-of-charge safety checks and rewiring of electrical installations for elderly citizen living alone, underprivileged families and citizen with special needs in 2000. In 2004, CEM set up the CEM Ambassador Team, with the number of members continuously increasing and exceeding 70 now. They visit nursing homes, elderly who live alone, and charitable institutions during holidays to convey caring to all sectors of the society. Looking ahead, CEM will seek more interaction and a deeper connection with the community through more channels.