Shelter for children takes time — Fatimah
KUCHING: The role and importance of non-governmental organisations ( NGOs) continue to grow in providing services and protection to ensure the safety, welfare and wellbeing of vulnerable children.
Welfare, Community Well-Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah yesterday acknowledged the contributions and sacrifices of independent non-profit welfare and charitable organisations.
“We understand that centres such as Nur Murni are purely based on donations. We are grateful and welcome all contributions from the private sector and corporations, especially during this holy month of Ramadan,” she said at a press conference during a visit to Nur Murni Welfare and Education Centre at Batu Kawah here.
There were about 100 vulnerable children from various backgrounds including the unfortunate, poor, orphans and of single mothers under the care of Nur Murni. The rented Batu Kawah’s centre provides shelter to 14 girl residents while the boys are boarded at various school hostels and other facilities.
There was a plan for a Nur Murni Welfare and Education Complex complete with facilities like hostel, computer labs, surau, swimming pool, farming areas, nursery for plants and so on.
“Someone agreed in the past to provide a piece of land for the construction of the permanent building but it did not materialise due to the inability to fulfil certain conditions,” she said.
“The dream is to provide a comfortable shelter for the children which is achievable but will take time. We can see if state land is available for this purpose as I have informed Chief Minister ( Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg) about the proposal,” she added.
The Sarawak government, Fatimah emphasised, will protect and act in the best interest of children, even more so vulnerable ones.
The concern was evident, she pointed out, in the cabinet reshuffle in which childhood development was added as a special focus of the ministry.
“The child’s best interests served as the guiding principle, and must be taken as the fundamental consideration in all actions concerning children,” she said.
“All actions must meet the basic rights a child deserved at least including beiing cared for, loved, protected against neglect, violence, cruelty, exploitation and discrimination, as well as food, shelter, education and medical attention,” she reiterated.
Earlier Fatimah announced a RM10,000 Minor Rural Project grant and presented personal tithes to Nur Murni and green packets for the children.
Present were Nur Murni chairperson Noriani Bakiri, permanent secretary to the minister, Dr Saadiah Abdul Samat; political secretary to the Chief Minister, Faridah Osman; and social activist Manjeet Kaur.