Father Richard Ho Lung (left) greets Prime Minister Bruce Golding (centre) as Father Charles Susai looks on at a luncheon held in Ho Lung's honour at The Gleaner's North Street, central Kingston, offices yesterday. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

Founder of the Missionaries of the Poor, Father Richard Ho Lung, is pleading with the Government to make a special effort to empower the nation's young men.

Ho Lung, who will officially be presented with the Order of Jamaica during the national honours and awards ceremony at King's House on Monday, was speaking at a luncheon held in his honour at The Gleaner's North Street offices in central Kingston yesterday.

"If we care about our future, we have to take care of our young men and support them like you have, the Missionaries of the Poor," he said. "We have to embrace this new humanity of selflessness and the desire to serve."

Created five homes

In 1981, Ho Lung provided a sanctuary for the needy in Kingston before creating five more homes.

With the help of various communities, through food and clothing, he provided facilities to nourish the sick and created a family for orphans and those with special needs.

Urged by the plight of others, mission houses were established across the world in India, the Philippines, Haiti and Uganda.

According to Prime Minister Bruce Golding, Ho Lung's achieve-ments further highlight the contribution missionaries provide to society, and he defined their efforts as exemplary.

"When I toured the Mission-aries of the Poor ... I was amazed at the genuine love and affection given to people," he said.