RM10,000 donation for Bukit Harapan
KOTA KINABALU: Bukit Harapan, a home for people with special needs, is in a dire financial situation as public donations dwindled since the Chinese New Year due to the impact of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on businesses and the economy.
Upon learning the situation, Kota Kinabalu Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KKCCCI) management committee member Chee Chi Nyen immediately contacted his friends and together they raised RM10,000 for the charity home.
Located in Inanam Laut, Jalan Tuaran By-pass, Bukit Harapan administrator Audra Keyworth said the home was founded by her mother Datuk Anne John P. Arulnasalam-Keyworth aka Mama Anne in 1988 for children with special needs.
The home is a 100-percent nonprofit organization and relies entirely on pubic donations. It had received government allocation in the past.
At present, Bukit Harapan is home to 43 residents with special needs, who are taken care of by 17 trained staff.
Audra said public donation to the home had dropped sharply since the Covid-19 outbreak last year and economic slowdown.
“The amount of donation has reduced even more since the Chinese New Year.
“As a result, we are currently in a dire financial situation.”
After knowing the situation Bukit Harapan is in, Chee immediately rallied his friends to assist the home and managed to raise RM10,000 in a few hours. The donation was handed to Bukit Harapan yesterday.
“We hope that the donation will ease the financial constraints of Bukit Harapan.
“We also hope that more kindhearted people will step forward to help the home in any way they could to build a caring society.”
Audra was grateful for the generosity of Chee and his friends, and described the donation as a lifesaver to the home.
She also hoped that the donors would visit Bukit Harapan in the future so that she could thank them in person and brief them on the operations of the home.