To the Government The Hong Kong Church Network for the Poor strives to liaise closely with government departments, relate to them poor families' needs so as to help bring about effective policies, and lessen the gap between rich and poor. At the same time, it strives for additional resources for frontline agencies through effective anti-poverty proposals and discussions, to enhance the quality of services and expand the reach of services to benefit more poor families. To Churches and Christians Since October 17 is the United Nations World Poverty Day, we are inviting all churches to designate one Sunday in October as an anti-poverty Sunday to remember all those mired in poverty and in need of help. We will produce relevant materials, CD-ROMs for the Anti-Poverty Sunday. We will also encourage churches to make donations in support of the anti-poverty ministry. We will also call on churches to join in campaigns against "Inter-generational Poverty" by opening up their churches to poor children, encouraging church members to offer free tuitions to those children, organising free social events, partnership programmes, etc. To Frontline Agencies We will encourage the sharing of views and resources among frontline agencies for the poor, and the development of closer ties between them and churches in their districts. By sharing their views and experiences, frontline workers can let the government and the public know directly the needs of the poor, thereby contributing to the formulation of new policies and educational programmes. To the Public Through publicity activities, we will encourage affluent Hong Kong people to remember those who are suffering, by offering money, time, prayers and energy. We have set up the Care for Children Fund to encourage poor families to build up a saving habit. Fund-raising activities will also be launched to seek support for frontline agencies' poverty relief projects. Besides, we also hope to encourage employers to set up the minimum wage and minimum working hours, so poor workers can spend more time with their families. |