Civil Service Newsletter April 2025 Issue No.119
光明與關懷同行:公務員義工隊攜手點亮東頭邨

Electrical and Mechanical Services Department

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho poi-yan (front row, centre); Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of EMSD, Mr Chan Pak-cheung (front row, second left); Deputy Director/Trading Services of EMSD, Mr Vincent Chow Hau-keung (front row, third left); Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Alex Chan Yuen-tak (front row, first right); District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu Kui-wah (front row, third right); Captain of Tung Tau Care Team, Mr Wong Kam-choi (front row, second right); and the Civil Service Volunteer Team replaced traditional bulbs with environmentally friendly LED bulbs for elderly households on 14 December 2024.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho poi-yan (front row, centre); Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of EMSD, Mr Chan Pak-cheung (front row, second left); Deputy Director/Trading Services of EMSD, Mr Vincent Chow Hau-keung (front row, third left); Deputy Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Alex Chan Yuen-tak (front row, first right); District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu Kui-wah (front row, third right); Captain of Tung Tau Care Team, Mr Wong Kam-choi (front row, second right); and the Civil Service Volunteer Team replaced traditional bulbs with environmentally friendly LED bulbs for elderly households on 14 December 2024.

In active response to the Civil Service Bureau’s call for departments to establish volunteer teams so that more civil servants can engage in volunteer services and utilise their expertise to help those in need, the volunteer team of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD) Staff Club has, with the support of the Civil Service Bureau (CSB) and the Home Affairs Department, partnered with the Tung Tau Care Team in Wong Tai Sin District to pay four visits to elderly residents in Tung Tau Estate starting from September 2024. During these visits, the volunteers replaced traditional bulbs with environmentally friendly LED bulbs for the elderly, and shared with them safety tips on the use of electricity and gas appliances as well as energy saving, benefiting a total of over 40 elderly residents in Tung Tau Estate.

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan, participated in the volunteering services on 14 December 2024, together with the representatives from CSB, Wong Tai Sin District Office, Tung Tau Care Team, the representatives from EMSD, and volunteers from the EMSD Staff Club, and visited a number of elderly households to understand the elderly's needs. Volunteers assisted in replacing household incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient LED bulbs.

These meaningful services not only marked collaboration between volunteer team of EMSD and a Care Team in the district for the first time, but also fully demonstrated the capabilities and determination of government departments to work hand in hand with the community to support those in need. Leveraging their electrical expertise, members of the volunteer team of EMSD joined hands with the Tung Tau Care Team through their district network to bring light and warmth to the elderly. This initiative significantly improved the lighting in the elderly residents’ homes, enhanced household safety, and demonstrated the value of cross-departmental collaboration.

Civil servant volunteers replaced traditional light bulbs with energy-saving ones for the elderly.
Civil servant volunteers replaced traditional light bulbs with energy-saving ones for the elderly.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan(left), participated in the activity. Elderly households were very pleased with the brighter, energy-efficient and durable light bulbs, which would help reduce their electricity costs and save them the trouble of changing bulbs.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho Poi-yan(left), participated in the activity. Elderly households were very pleased with the brighter, energy-efficient and durable light bulbs, which would help reduce their electricity costs and save them the trouble of changing bulbs.

The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho poi-yan (third right); Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of EMSD, Mr Chan Pak-cheung (first left); Deputy Director/Trading Services of EMSD, Mr Vincent Chow Hau-keung (second left); District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu Kui-wah (second right); Captain of Tung Tau Care Team, Mr Wong Kam-choi (first right); and the Civil Service Volunteer Team paid home visits to elderly households.
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mrs Ingrid Yeung Ho poi-yan (third right); Deputy Director/Regulatory Services of EMSD, Mr Chan Pak-cheung (first left); Deputy Director/Trading Services of EMSD, Mr Vincent Chow Hau-keung (second left); District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu Kui-wah (second right); Captain of Tung Tau Care Team, Mr Wong Kam-choi (first right); and the Civil Service Volunteer Team paid home visits to elderly households.

Enhanced lighting for a caring community

On the day of the event, the volunteer team visited a number of elderly households, replacing their light bulbs with energy-efficient LED ones and providing tips on electrical safety and energy conservation. Mr Lau, who is in his eighties with good health condition despite having regular check-ups at hospital, was one of those receiving the services. He often takes walks in Morse Park and actively participates in community activities. The volunteer team reminded Mr Lau to keep warm during the recent cold weather and showed care for his needs. Another resident was Mrs Wong, aged 89, who usually shops for groceries at Tai Shing Street Market. She said that with the new light bulbs, her home has become brighter, and she has felt the care of the Government and the community for citizens.

The volunteer team told Mr Lau and Mrs Wong that the District Office, local community members, and the Care Team are all concerned about the needs of the elderly. They will make every endeavour to provide targeted services for the elderly residents at their requests for assistance. Given that the initiative to replace traditional bulbs with eco-friendly LED ones has been well received by the elderly, it will continue to be implemented to show care for more senior citizens.

Achievements of cross-departmental collaboration and the way forward

Mrs Yeung praised the activities as a successful model of collaboration between government departments and District Care Team. She posted comments on the CSB’s Facebook page saying that the efforts of the EMSD volunteer team and other departments were commendable, and emphasised the importance of fostering cross-departmental collaboration. She encouraged more civil servants to join the volunteer teams and work with the community to promote a caring culture. District Officer (Wong Tai Sin), Mr Thomas Wu Kui-wah, added that since its establishment, the Tung Tau Care Team has provided various targeted services for the residents of Tung Tau Estate, and it will continue to work with volunteer teams of government departments so that more grassroots citizens can benefit from the services.