Blogs for old boys in Hong Kong

Oct 10, 2006, 5:18 GMT

Hong Kong - A new generation of elderly bloggers are finding their voices in Hong Kong with the help of a government-funded project, a news report said Tuesday.

More than 150 Hong Kong senior citizens - the oldest being 87 years old - have been taught the art of blogging since courses began in March this year.

The courses, run by the Cyber Senior Network Development Association, teach its elderly pupils to set up blogs (web logs), add text, photographs and videos.

Many of those taking part have gone on to keep up their blogs - a sort of online diary of thoughts - after the course, using them to keep in touch with friends and relatives and to record memories about their lives and old Hong Kong.

Psychiatrist Edwin Yu Chi-shing, who specialises in the treatment of the elderly, praised the scheme, saying it empowered Hong Kong's elderly people who have the world's second-highest suicide rate.

'Elderly people are always neglected in Hong Kong as they lose power, get old and don't have much money,' he told the South China Morning Post.

'Blogging can help them express their unhappiness, release their stress and form a community where they can find friends and support.'

One of the bloggers, 67-year-old retired newspaper seller Ching Man-hung, said before he stared blogging under the blog name 'Sunset Hero' he felt depressed and lonely.

'Since I started blogging, I have more friends. They encourage me to blog and are concerned about me.'

Ching now uses his blog to keep in touch, to give health tips and to share his anecdotes about his early life in Hong Kong.