Helping centre ward off thieves
Foundation’s aid will be used to build fence
KULIM: Members of the Visually Impaired One Stop Centre (VIOSC) in Jalan Tunku Asaad here have fallen victim to theft on several occasions.
Its founder Abu Bakar Ali said money and handphones would go missing when the members performed prayers at the community area near their living quarters.
“The unscrupulous people would take advantage of the visually impaired people, knowing that they won’t be able to recognise the culprits.
“Besides, it is literally an ‘open’ area where they can just walk in and steal our valuables,” he said.
Thanks to the RM10,000 contribution from Star Foundation, Abu Bakar said they could now put up a door and fence up the area.
“Any amount of money is good for us to look after the welfare and interest of our members.
“Hopefully, we can secure donations from other parties as well in order to keep our operations going,” he said after receiving a mock cheque from Star Media Group executive editor Rozaid Abdul Rahman during a presentation ceremony at the centre recently.
Another beneficiary – Rumah Kebajikan Bakti Fayi – received RM20,000 from Star Foundation.
On hand to receive the mock cheque from Rozaid was its executive director and founder Venerable Seck Kai Yang.
Seck said they were grateful to Star Foundation for coming to their aid.
Fayi’s deputy secretary-general Ng Kah Keong said they would use the money to buy new washing machines and ceiling fans.
“The wooden platform where the residents carry out their activities or sleep on is also in need of repair,” he said.
The centre is caring for 21 senior citizens and disabled persons aged from seven to 92.
Witnessing the ceremony was KulimBandar Baharu MCA division chairman Chua Thiong Gee, who expressed his gratitude to the corporate body for choosing welfare and charity homes in Kulim for its corporate social responsibility.
Star Foundation is a charitable arm of Star Media Group aimed at raising, receiving and administering funds for various causes to assist organisations in their operating expenses, upgrading of facilities and running of existing programmes.