Audit volunteers celebrated National Day with the old and the young

On the morning of 14 September 2024 (Saturday), Prof. Nelson Lam, Director of Audit, led the volunteer team of the Audit Commission (Audit) to Ching Chung Rev. Hau Po Woon Neighbourhood Elderly Centre in Tin Shui Wai for a visit and an early celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival and the National Day with the elderly.

Packed with engaging activities, the day was kicked off with the wonderful performances of the traditional Chinese lion dance and chopsticks dance by the students and graduates of Ching Chung Yu Nga Kindergarten and Ching Chung Wu King Kindergarten respectively.  The opening acts instantly filled the centre with energy and warmed up the elderly participants, who all enjoyed themselves in the following mini-games prepared by the volunteers of Audit.  The fun and laughter continued as the students staged another round of adorable performances, first a mash-up act of kung-fu and recital of the Three-Character Classic, then singing and dancing by a “mini pop girl band”, which put broad, bright smiles on the elderly’s faces.  As the visit wrapped up, volunteers gave out mooncakes and festive gift packs to the elderly as tokens of blessing and joy for the upcoming Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day.

The successful event brought together the old and the young to rejoice for the two important dates on the Chinese calendar – the Mid-Autumn Festival and the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.  Prof. Lam thanked the staff of Ching Chung Rev. Hau Po Woon Neighbourhood Elderly Centre and the Audit volunteer team for their efforts in organising the event.  “I would say that the National Day and the Mid-Autumn Festival share an important symbolism, which is the ‘circle’.  The ‘circle’ embodies completion, sufficiency, inclusion and harmony.  As a circle rolls, it radiates momentum and vitality.  It resonates perfectly with the theme of this celebration event,” said Prof. Lam.

Prof. Lam believed that while the forms of festive celebrations would evolve with time and vary among generations, the cultural essence of traditional festivals would remain and be passed on by those with the heart and the will – for instance, the colleagues of Audit who took the initiative to organise this event and proactively offered their free time to voluntary services.  Prof. Lam expressed his appreciation to them for giving a lovely time to the elderly and the children on this Saturday morning.

The participants took a group photo to commemorate the happy moments of the event.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China.
Prof. Lam said it was meaningful to celebrate this important occasion with the elderly at the visit.

The Audit volunteers and the elderly bonded quickly over games.

With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, the Audit volunteer team put on a game of
“lantern riddles” for the elderly, who rose to the challenge and put their wit to good use.

The elderly participants were much engaged in the games. With sharp minds and nimble moves,
they did equally well in the games as the young volunteers.

Audit volunteers hosted festive games and sent their wishes to all participants.

Prof. Lam distributed mooncakes to the elderly.

Despite their young age, the students showed a fair grasp of
the national art of lion dance in their stunning performance.