Combining generous gifts with money sense at Christmas At times like Christmas, when we all want to be generous, young people need to be aware of the importance of budgeting. Financial literacy has been talked about a great deal in the past twelve months of economic downturn. Now, as recovery begins, and the problems of high unemployment ease a little, good sense about money is an excellent attribute To encourage the right attitude in young people, HKFYG runs the Life Banking programme with secondary schools, and short courses at its Centre for Continuous Learning. Being money-wise helps introduce a note of caution when Christmas shopping but also helps prevent the accumulation of debts and risky investments all year round. Contacts Life Banking, Youth Employment Network, tel Chi-wai, tel 3113 7999 Centre for Continuous Learning, tel Rex or Sophia, 3755 7021 Recent news Survey supported by Sai Kung District Council looks at students' awareness of the need to guard against drugs A survey of youth and drugs found that over 23% of the 1,948 youngsters polled at 20 schools, thought it was up to the individual to decide whether to take drugs. The survey involved 6 HKFYG service units and was convened by the HKFYG Outreaching Social Work team for Sai Kung and Wong Tai Sin. About 16% of the respondents held no views on the subject or were not actively opposed to drugs. Over 84% said they were strongly against others taking drugs but over 88% knew nobody who took drugs. Only 3% admitted having access to drugs but 11.8% said they knew a drug user. The survey was part of an anti-drug campaign running from March 2009 till February 2010 with the Sai Kung Home Affairs Office, the Sai Kung District Fight Crime Committee and Yan Chai Hospital Wong Wha San Secondary School. It was supported by the Sai Kung District Council. Contact Edward, tel 2701 8866, for details. Bhutanese study tour of youth services in Hong Kong Visitors from the Bhutan Ministry of Education's Department of Youth & Sports were in Hong Kong last week for a study tour that focussed on HKFYG Youth SPOTs. The visitors went to Cafˆm 21, Farm Road, Jat Min and Tsuen Wan Youth SPOTs in their week-long tour. Contact Katie, tel 3755 7076, for more details. What's new Needed: adjudicators with language skills for HKFYG Standard Chartered Hong Kong English Public Speaking Contest 2010 The contest is expected to have 2,200 entries and we are seeking adjudicators for the preliminary rounds, 18-28 February, with qualifications and/or professional work experience related to the English language eg tertiary teachers, lawyers, and senior executives from the public or private sector. Preliminary rounds will take place at the 9/F Auditorium of the HKFYG Building and at Leadership 21, The Center, Queen's Rd Central with Hong Kong secondary students in the Junior Division: (S1-S3 or equivalent) or the Senior division (S4-S7 or equivalent). Please contact Ellsik, tel 2169 0255, if you would like to join us. Just published Poll on Love and Courtship at Christmas As the Christmas and New Year festive season approached, the HKFYG Youth Poll no. 191 asked young people whether they had plans for romantic celebrations and if they would follow up relationships made online. Over 1,080 secondary students at 33 schools replied. Nearly 25% of the students worried about being lonely during the holidays and 14% thought they might not get a date. 46% said they would stay with a friend overnight if invited and 39% said they would be happy to hug and kiss. Only 11% said they would accept a one-night stand. Where online dating was concerned, nearly 40% said they liked making net friends and 45% thought they could judge the character of people met online. Nevertheless, 44% said they would not treat the relationships developed online seriously. For the full Chinese press release visit http://www.hkfyg.org.hk/yrc/chinese/yr-p191c.html. Call Sharon, tel 3755 7039 for more details.   Thank you partners Celebrating International Volunteer Day with shared experiences and touching moments: thank you to all sponsors and partners for support of volunteers December is a special month for volunteers in Hong Kong, and we have 19 HKFYG service projects caring for vulnerable groups. These are engaging public interest in voluntary work and a photo and message campaign called, I am a Volunteer: sharing extraordinary experiences and touching moments, is reinforcing the positive message and attracting more community involvement and attention. 300 volunteers and 700 beneficiaries are involved and we would like to say a big thank you, to all sponsors for prizes or drinks, and to our media partners who are helping with promotion. Please click here to see their names. Contact Doris for more details, tel 2169 0032 or visit http://vday2009.u21.hk. Free Broadway show for hard-up families courtesy of Hang Seng Bank Sponsored by the Hang Seng Bank Ltd, the Hong Kong Repertory Theatre Ltd will give an exclusive performance of Scrooge, the Broadway musical version of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens, for underprivileged youngsters and their families. The show is on 9 January 2010 at the Hong Kong City Hall Theatre and a meet-the-artist sharing session is included. Members of the audience will also have a rare photo opportunity with the performers. Not only will there be free admission, the sponsor will also provide a free shuttle bus and meal. Enquiries: Brenda, tel 37557102. Xu Bing arts workshop with primary students and volunteer teachers at the West Kowloon Waterfront Promenade On 12 December, 40 pupils from the Lee Shau Kee Primary School took part in the workshop at West Kowloon with 13 volunteer teachers. It was part of the 2009 Hong Kong Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture (Biennale), a project introduced by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the Hong Kong Institute of Planners. Its aim is to increase people's environmental awareness through art forms. The educational component - led by artist Xu Bing - connects calligraphy and art. The students' drawings of trees will be auctioned online to fund tree-planting in Hong Kong. Five similar weekend workshops will take place in January 2009. Many thanks to Professor Xu Bing and the organizers of the Biennale. Please contact Alice Lui, tel 37557067, for more details. Hongkong Asia Exhibition slashes price for thousands of tickets for Hong Kong Food Festival Nearly 7,700 tickets at just HK$10 each are coming from Hongkong-Asia Exhibition (Holdings) Ltd for u21 youthnet members to attend the 7th Hong Kong Food Festival from 24-27 December 2009 at the Hong Kong Exhibition and Convention Centre. The exhibition brings hundreds of local and international exhibitors together, showcasing a wide variety of delicacies including festive delicacies. Details at http://www.hka.com.hk/mini/food_ minisite/food_ info_Evisitor.htm. Contact Marian, tel 3755 7072 for general information about this and other membership offers. Kids make Christmas cookies with Famous Amos Famous Amos gave 45 lucky young members great fun at three Famous Amos cookie classes in the HKFYG Ping Shek Youth SPOT on 18 December. Person-power and ingredients for the classes were provided by corporate volunteers. Once the edible Christmas trees and gingerbread men were ready, they were iced and taken home to share. Each participant also received a HK$50 Famous Amos voucher pack. Thank you to Famous Amos for this special Christmas treat. Contact Bonnie, 3755 7101 for more information.