The United Nations 'Declaration of the Rights of the Child' states adequate recreation as one of the rights of children. Hong Kong's affluence means that most children have enough toys; what they lack, however, is the time to play them, with school, homework, private tuition, and extracurricular activities vying for what little time they have. Yet in some parts of the world, toys are not a given—far from it. It was for this reason that a group of United College students recently travelled to Myanmar Santa Claus-style, i.e., with toys, to enrich the lives of the local children, and perhaps their own as well.

Education is another of the child's right. In 'In Plain View', Prof. Catherine McBride of the Department of Psychology explains how to help young ones build the ability to read Chinese characters. Construction of a different kind is the topic of 'Thus Spake…' where Mr. Fung Siu-man, director of the Campus Development Office, tells us how to sculpt the campus in ways befitting its education mission.

The cherry blossoms of New Asia College had just begun to bloom when they were assailed by the coldest winds to be brought by February in some 20 years. How does one keep warm in such weather? Perhaps a meal that literally sizzles at 120°C? Why don't you give this new dish at the Shaw College Staff Canteen a try?