Caritas Macau has plans to run a travel agency as a social enterprise to help people with disabilities go on trips, Caritas Macau Secretary General Paul Pun Chi Meng said on Monday.
Pun made the remarks during Monday’s press conference about the 51st Caritas Macau Charity Bazaar. The press conference was held at São João de Brito School in Rua de Pedro Coutinho.
Pun said that Caritas was waiting for the government to approve the operating licence for the travel agency.
Pun also said that Caritas Macau was planning to build a retirement home in Rua de Pedro Coutinho using donations from philanthropists. According to Pun, Caritas received a green light from the government for the home last month. However, Pun was quick to add that the project’s blueprint is still awaiting approval. He added that the blueprint needed to be approved before Caritas can “collect resources” and raise funds for the project. Pun said he hoped that the government could approve the project as soon as possible so that Caritas could proceed with the home.
Caritas Macau announced during the press conference that the Catholic charity’s bazaar will take place on 7-8 November at Nam Van Lake Nautical Centre. There will be flag sellers in Nam Van, Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro and Avenida Horta e Costa during the two-day event. Visitors to the bazaar are required to wear facemasks, get their temperature checked and show their valid Macao Health Code.
Pun noted that this year’s event will have 85 booths, a decrease from last year because there will be fewer food booths. He also noted that last year’s bazaar raised around MOP 8 million (US$1 million). Pun predicted that the bazaar would raise less this year. However, on a positive note, the veteran social worker pointed out that there are more volunteers this year.
(The Macau Post Daily/Macau News)
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