‘PDK OKU Mambong raising fund in Kuching area only’
KUCHING: Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti for the handicapped in Mambong ( PDK OKU Mambong) advised the public not to fall prey to individuals soliciting for funds outside Kuching in the name of the non- governmental organisation ( NGO).
According to a spokesman, it has come to the NGO’s attention that there were individuals going around to raise funds for the NGO as far as Miri, without authorisation letter from the centre.
“As far as PDK OKU Mambong is concerned, we only give authorisation letters which bear the centre’s permit to those appointed by the centre.
“Our plan now is to build a new centre at a cost of RM4.5 mil to house about 200 handicapped individuals ( OKU) from Padawan and Penrissen area,” the spokesman told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
Currently, PDK OKU Mambong is renting a semidetached single house at 11th Mile for handicapped children and adults at RM900 per month.
“As an NGO registered with the Registrar of Societies ( ROS) bearing permit number 13/ RBK/2017, we are the only one with the authority to raise and solicit for funds from the public in Kuching area, and not anywhere else,” he pointed out.
PDK OKU Mambong set up in 2007 has 130 registered inmates with 10 teaching staff.
PDK OKU Mambong which is under the patronage of the Social Welfare Department has been receiving annual grants from the department, but funds are only enough for activities and programmes for the centre.
“As the current premises is getting too small for our inmates, we have decided to build a new centre that can accommodate up to 200 individuals.
“With permanent premises, we hope to be able to carry out our activities more systematically and without interruption,” he stressed.
The spokesman saidPDK OKU Mambong also needed a vehicle, preferably a van, to transport inmates as they are presently using a rented van.
“At PDK OKU Mambong, we also provide skills training for 40 adult OKU to enter the job market. This way, they can prove that OKUs are as capable as anyone else,” added the spokesman.
On behalf of the NGO, he appealed to the public to contribute generously to the good cause. For more information, the spokesman can be reached at 016- 8665550.