Community care: Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui receives a souvenir patchwork quilt at Yan Oi Tong Rainbow Community Integrated Services Centre.

District problems can be solved at the district level where people can develop their community spirit in a harmonious and co-operative manner, Chief Secretary for Administration Rafael Hui says.

Mr Hui visited Tuen Mun today to learn about the district's issues. He inspected improvement works at Tuen Tsz Wai. The project includes reconstruction of a silted-up natural drain to turn it into a 320-metre-wide concrete drainage channel and resurfacing of a one-metre-wide pavement alongside it. Grass on both sides will be cleared and an anti-mosquito operation will be conducted weekly to maintain environmental hygiene.

Special project

Mr Hui then toured the Yan Oi Tong Rainbow Community Integrated Services Centre in Yau Oi Estate where he learned about a project sponsored by the Community Investment & Inclusion Fund, the Social Welfare Department and local businesses.

Many local residents have joined the project, which is unique in that people can explore, organise and promote folk wisdom and skills, and transform them into community assets. It also allows people to use their abilities to serve the community.

Mr Hui saw how to recycle unused clothes into cloth handcrafts and to make environmentally friendly soap with used edible oil. Residents offer haircuts or barter their second-hand items for services or goods, like beauty treatment or organic vegetables.

Mutually beneficial

"I am pleased to see such a mutually beneficial community development project in Tuen Mun, in particular, it is well supported by local shop-owners and residents. It is good to see Tuen Mun residents' enthusiasm for the project, and their efforts can meet the needs of the district. The project is worthy of support," he said.

Mr Hui also visited Tuen Mun Town Centre, where he was briefed on the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Western Corridor and Deep Bay Link, and the expansion of two-lane traffic into three in the town centre.