Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited (Towngas) and Tung Wah
Group of Hospitals (TWGHs) jointly launched a social enterprise
project called Cook Easy at Wong Chuk Hang.
The project aims at offering vocational training and job
opportunities to people with disability and low-income groups.
"With real working experience, the disabled persons will be more
confident in seeking other jobs," said Fanny Ong, assistant
superintendent of TWGHs Jockey Club Rehabilitation Complex.
The staffs are responsible for dish preparation, packaging and
sending the order to residents of courts under Henderson Land
Group. The service has started on Hong Kong Island and TWGHs hoped
to expand its service to the entire city.
"We hope to expand the scale of production in half a year, from
100 packs daily to 400," Ong said, adding that 14 staffs will be
employed by then.
Towngas and TWGHs are seeking to bring in more social enterprise
projects with non-governmental organizations.
"I am very happy with my job," said Leung, who has mild mental
retardation.
"I learnt the preparation and seasoning of some dishes and
sometime I cook at home too," said Cheung, who suffered from mental
illness. "Working here is now a habit for me. I enjoy it
fully."
There are altogether eight disabled persons currently employed
by Cook Easy. There are also nine vacancies for training disabled
persons.
Meanwhile, a concerned group also expressed its interest in
participating in the project.
"We appreciate the project which supports people with
disabilities as it is very difficult for them to seek a job in the
society," said Ng Fung-ching, chairperson of the Parents'
Association of Pre-school Handicapped Children, a self-help
organization.
Unemployment rate of disabled people has reached double digit at
present, said Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, Secretary for Labor and
Welfare.
"We hope that more disabled people can be benefited from the
project," Ng added.
(China Daily December 12, 2007)