(Hong Kong, July 2, 2015) Thirty underprivileged elderly people had an enjoyable trip to Macau last Saturday (June 27), accompanied by staff volunteers from Hang Lung Properties. Apart from witnessing the rapid development of the city in recent years, the elderly were also eager to look for small gifts for a group of primary school students coming from underprivileged families in Hong Kong.

The elderly participants, coming from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hong Kong (ELCHK), first arrived at the Macau University of Science and Technology to learn making nougat and have a taste of some Portuguese signature dishes. They then visited two major attractions in Macau: the Ruins of St. Paul’s and the Taipa Houses Museum. At the last destination, Kwun Ya Kai (Rua do Cunha), the participants started searching around for gifts in preparation for their meeting with students in mid-July in which they are going to share their experiences during the Macau trip.

Most participants only had a very vague impression of Macau. Ninety-year-old Aunt Leung was the most senior in the group. She last visited Macau with her late husband 20 years ago and found it markedly changed. “It’s a bit sad when I revisit the city," she said, “yet with so many thoughtful volunteers taking care of us throughout, I also feel blessed. It’s especially true when we made my childhood favourite, nougat, together. These are cherished memories for me.”

Another objective of the tour is to foster inter-generational harmony. In mid-July, volunteers and the elderly people will teach a group of children how to make nougat while sharing with them the happy memories in Macau.