Orphanage appeals for help to run repair works on boys hostel
MIRI: The management of Hamidah Orphanage Complex in Permai Jaya, Tudan near here is appealing to individuals and the corporate sector to help it raise funds meant to cover the costs for upgrading works on one of its hostels.
It is learnt that the complex houses three hostels – two for boys and one for girls, a multi-purpose hall, one administration block and a surau.
According to Miri deputy mayor Julaihi Mohamad, one of the boys hostels has been found to be unsafe for occupation – prompting relocation of those from that block to the other hostel.
“For now, the boys have to be crammed into one hostel building. The block where they occupied earlier is found to have cracks all over its walls and drains, while a section of its base is ‘sinking’.
“They ( boys) will remain in one hostel block for their safety. They will move back to the old block once it undergoes the necessary repair and upgrading works,” he said when met at a ‘ buka puasa’ ( break- of- fast) gathering at the complex on Saturday night.
The event was hosted by Pelita Maslaut Sdn Bhd where its managing director Masni Amit, its directors Mohd Safrin Masni and Mohd Nazim Masni, its advisor Councillor Abdullah Jaini and Hamidah Orphanage Complex acting superintendent Samsiah Sanai Tahir were present.
Julaihi said he first noticed the cracks last November.
In this regard, he said the complex had laid out its plan on repair works, but it needed funds to do it.
“We appeal to individuals, organisations and corporate bodies to help us in this undertaking so that the 40 boys can once again have their own place to sleep,” he said, adding that those interested to donate could come to Hamidah Orphanage Complex here and hand over the donation to the administrative staff there.
Meanwhile, Mohd Safrin said the ‘ buka puasa’ event was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes slated for the less- fortunate members of the local community, adding that Pelita Maslaut had been doing this with the orphans over the past several years.
“We will continue with this CSR programme with the orphans, ensuring that they would be able to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri as happily as everyone else.”
Mohd Safrin later joined Masni and Mohd Nazim in giving away ‘duit raya’ to the orphans.