SSD to hold charity food fair in April, seeks to raise RM300,000

A charity food fair by the Sarawak Society for the Deaf (SSD) will be held at the Association of Churches in Sarawak, Jalan Stampin here from 8am to 12.30pm this April 7.

SSD in a press release said the event aims to raise RM300,000 in support of its operational costs, as well as for this year’s various projects.

“One of SSD’s key projects and initiatives for the betterment of Sarawak’s deaf community is to have the Malaysian Sign Language (BIM) classes be expanded,” it said.

This, it added, is to raise public awareness and create a society that places a high value on the inclusion of the deaf community, as well as to promote greater interaction and effective communication between the deaf and hearing individuals.

“At present, we have four BIM teachers namely Ernest Ting, Amy Lau, Wan Arif and Timothy Ngu,” it said.

The society, it added, has in its plans to develop an early intervention programme to provide support for parents with deaf children, as well as to embark on a project to create broadcast content for the social media, specifically catering to the needs of the deaf community.

“SSD will continue the operation of its Brews & Bites Café which was launched from the proceeds that were raised at last year’s SSD Charity Food Fair,” it said, adding that the association is hopeful for the upgrading works of the existing building facilities to materialise in future.

On the charity food fair, SSD promises it to be a meaningful avenue for the public to mingle with the deaf community and the society’s staff, whereby they can show their support by purchasing or assisting in selling the food fair coupon booklets made available on the day of the event.

“The public can also donate their items for sale or set up stalls at the event. For more information on this, please send a WhatsApp message to the event’s organising chairman Ernest Ting on 016-8716216, or vice chairperson Helena Lim on 013-8094599.

“They can also help SSD reach its fundraising goals through cash donations at Sarawak Society for the Deaf (Ambank Account No. 8881020334610) with the bank-in receipt sent via WhatsApp to Ernest Ting,” it said.

Alternatively, SSD can also be contacted via email at ssdkuching1982@gmail.com.