Hope Place seeks permanent premises
KUCHING: Having recently celebrated its seventh anniversary this month, Hope Place now wishes to have a permanent place to call home, said its founder Kelvin Wan.
Reflecting on the humble beginnings of Hope Place, its journey through the years and where it is heading, Wan noted that there was still so much to do for the community.
He said that in the future, Hope Place plans to explore and venture more into the education line.
“We hope to setup a learning centre, a place where children are able to learn broader knowledge and skills.
“We hope to get a permanent place soon. When I think of new projects and activities which could benefit the community with a place of our own, the possibilities are endless,” he added.
A golden opportunity came when Wan and his committee members met with the Local Government and Housing Minister Dato Sri Dr Sim Kui Hian recently.
We hope to setup a learning centre, a place where children are able to learn broader knowledge and skills.
Kelvin Wan
They asked the minister to help to look into Hope Place’s land application.
Hope Place, which started back in February 2013, is a non-profit organisation with the purpose of giving hope and touching the lives of those who are less fortunate, living in Kuching and its surrounding areas.
The organisation’s core service is providing basic food aid to less fortunate people like single parents with schooling children, families with very low income, needy families with disabled or terminally sick family members and elderly people with no families.
Since 2013, Hope Place has helped more than 500 families and currently, it is taking care of roughly 200 families. Hope Place also provides special items like special milk powder and wheelchair for disabled or sick needy people.
Other Hope Place services include responding to emergencies such as fire and flood cases, by providing fire victims and flood centres with food aid and basic necessities.
Charity Without Borders (CWB), an annual project by Hope Place together with Kelab
Cabaran Pacuan 4-Roda Bintulu, aims at helping longhouse residents in Sarawak.
Hope Place’s recent venture was the opening of a Charity Centre at Tabuan Tranquility 3, Jalan Canna, selling second-hand items. This ‘buy and donate’ concept is a form of fund-raising, whereby all proceeds go to helping needy families.
Another latest venture is making handmade soaps. This environmental long-term project is a joint venture between Hope Place and Hilton Hotel Kuching, providing income-generating skills to participants.
In recent years, Hope Place also provides educational and social awareness talks as well as internship for schools and universities all around Malaysia.
For more information, Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching can be reached at 082505987.
Opening hours are from 8.30am to 5.30pm from Mondays till Fridays and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. All donations are welcome and receipts will be given upon request.