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Adventure-Ship is a registered charity that maintains the 27.5-metre
sailing junk, the Huan, and provides nautical training programmes
for underprivileged children and children with disabilities. Adventure-Ship
is a member of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service and is funded mainly
by the Community Chest and the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust.
Each year, more than 6 000 young people from children
and youth centres, institutions for the disabled, outreach teams and schools
benefit from the training programmes offered. The training consists of
day or overnight trips (up to three days and two nights) within the waters
of Hong Kong. The ship can accommodate 60 youngsters on day trips and
50 on overnight voyages.
Challenge through 'disciplined entertainment' is the
main theme of training. Once on board, participants are regarded as members
of the ship's crew and take part in the operational routines. Under the
guidance of experienced instructors, they are trained to face new challenges
and participate in activities that build team spirit and self-confidence.
The training programmes have been devised to cope
with various weather conditions and the special requirements of children
of different aptitudes and backgrounds. In 2002, a Shore-based Reinforcement
Programme was introduced to help children with special needs — such
as those with disabilities, newly arrived children and those from broken
families — to consolidate what they learn from the training experience
so that there is a positive and lasting effect on their lifestyle. The
programme is supported in part by a grant from the Government's Quality
Education Fund.
Adventure-Ship is making good progress with its programme
to build a training vessel to replace the Huan, which has been
in service for more than 26 years. Building of the new vessel is due to
be completed in late 2004. The vessel will be named the Jockey Club
Huan, in recognition of the Hong Kong Jockey Club's donation of $24
million to fund construction.
The vessel will be a 34.5-metre three-masted sailing
junk, with purpose-built facilities for training young people with disabilities.
It will be able to accommodate up to 60 trainees on an overnight trip
as well as up to 11 crew members and volunteer assistants from the Adventure-Ship
Youth Association. Maintenance costs of the new vessel will be reduced
significantly through the use of modern design techniques and materials,
which will give the ship a design life of at least 50 years. |
