Society for blind launches state-wide appeal for public donation
SANDAKAN: Sabah Society for the Blind Sandakan Branch has launched a state-wide appeal for public donation and financial assistance by sending appeal letters.
The funds are to be used for the operation of Taman Cahaya Training Centre for the blind at Kompleks Penyayang Taman Cahaya, Rancangan Sungai Manila, Mile 12 here.
Society chairman Chong Yee Fah said that Taman Cahaya is the only training centre for the visually impaired in Sabah and it provides rehabilitation and training to 35 trainees recruited from all over Sabah such as Pitas, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud, Kota Marudu, Telupid, Kudat, Ranau, Semporna, Beaufort, Sipitang, Tawau; and particularly from the interior parts of Sabah.
Trainees are provided with 12 months of training in handcraft making, foot reflexology and body massage, computer, braille, agriculture, flower nursery, mobility and orientation and social interaction.
During their one-year training at Taman Cahaya, the trainees are given free training, accommodation, food, transport and nominal pocket money.
The society also provides shelter to 12 blind families at Taman Cahaya. The shelter is named ‘Blind Village’ which was set up by the society in 2010 in 12 acres of area. It is the first village for the blind that has ever been set up in Malaysia.
The day-to-day operation and training schedule at Taman Cahaya is carried out by 11 staff under the employment of the Sandakan nranch and seven of their instructors are the blind persons themselves.
“Blind society needs about RM350,000 each year to operate the training centre and maintain the infrastructure at Taman Cahaya. The society receives only RM50,000 annual grant from Sabah Council of Social Serivces and the rest of the funds will have to be solicited from general public every year,” Chong said.
Chong also said that he was thankful to the public who had rendered their support one way or another over the past years and sincerely look forward to their continuous generosity and financial support.
Post appeal donation campaign was launched by Sabah Society for the Blind Sandakan Branch with Chong and the society’s executive committee members on Wednesday.