Fuhong Society of Macau Director Jennifer Chau Wai I announced on Saturday that the organisation is establishing a community canteen in the Patane district.
The Fuhong Society of Macau (澳門扶康會) is a non-profit social service organisation. It provides services and support – especially for people with intellectual disabilities and persons with mental illness, including rehabilitation and community-integration support measures.
The canteen project aims to provide training and employment opportunities in the catering industry for people with disabilities, individuals in mental health recovery, and those on the autism spectrum.
Speaking at the organisation’s Cheng Tou Centre in Ilha Verde, Chau detailed that the new facility spans about 460 m2 across two floors.
“The upper floor will house the kitchen, while the lower floor will serve as a dining area for the public with a capacity for about 50 diners,” Chau said, noting that renovation and electrical works are underway.
The canteen will be equipped with smart cooking devices, and job roles for participants will include cleaning, serving and food delivery, Chau said, adding that she expected the canteen to be operational by the middle of this year.
Beyond the canteen, Chau revealed plans for a second-hand market social enterprise in the same district. Spanning roughly 740 m2, the project seeks to integrate philanthropy with cultural tourism, drawing visitors into the community while showcasing the professional capabilities of people with disabilities.
Meanwhile, the organisation’s awards ceremony of its micro-video creation contest “Stories Under the Starry Sky” was held at the centre on Saturday.
According to a Fu Hon statement released during the ceremony, the competition was themed “Embrace Inclusion, Accept Differences” and was divided into two categories: Student and Open.
The statement said that each category awarded champion, first runner-up and second runner-up prizes, as well as two merit prizes, while the winning teams received up to 6,000 patacas in prize money along with a certificate of award, adding that a total of 55 teams participated in the competition.
According to the statement, the competing teams created short videos centred on the life experiences of individuals with autism, showcasing their unique abilities and strengths, and expressing understanding, support, inclusion, and acceptance of individuals with autism in a positive manner.
MAA urges govt to strengthen job support for people with autism
Meanwhile, Macau Autism Association (MAA) Director-General Ruby Hui Chiu Yin told reporters at the Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape on Saturday that among people with autism, only about one in ten can find full-time employment.
Chiu urged the local government to strengthen employment opportunities for people with autism.
According to Chiu, the employment situation for individuals with autism is severe, with a noticeable decline from the pre-COVID-19 trend when many received job offers even before graduation.
She recommended that the government offer a more diversified range of vocational training courses rather than focusing solely on job types such as cleaning or waiting tables, aside from providing seminars for employers to help them understand how to communicate with individuals on the autism spectrum.
Chiu pointed out that while some integrated resort operators are interested in hiring people with autism, there is a lack of professional referral channels to serve as a bridge.
Chiu expressed hope that the government would strengthen job-matching support.
Meanwhile, the MAA also hosted an opening ceremony titled “2026 World Care Autism Day Series Activities” and an art exhibition titled “Life Never Ceases, Whispers of Starlight” (森生不息,星光絮語) at the Macau Science Centre.
MAA Chairwoman Sun Choi Man said in a speech that her organisation currently has 257 registered member families, serving nearly 1,000 family members, with over 11,000 service visits last year. In the future, it will organise a variety of pre-vocational experiences for autistic trainees to help them discover their potential, she said.
According to an MAA statement, the exhibition features nearly 300 works of art created by its members in collaboration with several partner organisations.
The exhibits include fluid paintings*, light clay, traditional Chinese paintings, glass art, handmade bags, and other forms, allowing the public to step into and understand the inner world of individuals with autism through visual experience, the statement said.
The exhibition concludes on May 13.
*Fluid painting (also known as acrylic pouring or flow art) is a contemporary abstract art technique that involves mixing acrylic paint with a liquid medium to achieve a runny, pourable consistency. Unlike traditional painting where colour is applied with a brush, the paint is poured onto a surface and manipulated by tilting the canvas or using tools like hair dryers and torches.
Fuhong Society of Macau Director Jennifer Chau Wai I speaks to reporters at the organisation’s Cheng Tou Centre in Ilha Verde on Saturday. – Photos: Armindo
Macau Autism Association (MAA) Director-General Ruby Hui Chiu Yin speaks to reporters at the Macau Science Centre (MSC) in Nape on Saturday.
