Outreach to St Joseph’s Home in Penang
Forty Catholics from Kuala Lumpur made a visit to the St Joseph’s Home to bring some cheer to the 39 inmates (poor children), consisting of Catholics, Hindus and Buddhists.
Jan 23, 2015
By Bernard Anthony
Forty Catholics from Kuala Lumpur made a visit to the St Joseph’s Home to bring some cheer to the 39 inmates (poor children), consisting of Catholics, Hindus and Buddhists.
On hand to welcome the visitors was Datin Amy Wong, the Chairperson, of the Board of Management of the Home. She gave a briefing on St Joseph’s Home which was founded in 1865 and is affiliated to the Catholic Welfare Services. In 2015, the Home will mark its 150th anniversary. Initially for orphaned children only, the Home, since the 1990s, now caters not only for orphans, but boys and girls who come from very poor socio-economic and psychological backgrounds.
Datin Amy said that their mission is to provide each child with the best care and education possible during their stay at the Home, in an environment in which they feel comfortable and safe, and develop proper living skills so that they become useful adults. When the group from KL came, Datin Amy was busy admitting another 3 poor children into the Home.
The visitors entertained the children with carols and gave out school bags, packets of Milo, and stationery to the Home. An indoor game helped to get the children to interact with the visitors, and a few won prizes. Snacks were served to the visitors.
Datin Amy also highlighted that the Home had recently installed a Solar Power System costing RM220,000.00 as their biggest expenditure is electricity at around RM3,200/- per month. The Home’s average monthly expenditure is RM40,000.00. With this project in place, they have successfully obtained SEDA (Sustainable Energy Development Authority Malaysia) approval to sell solar power to TNB to generate some revenue for the Home.
However, Datin Amy added that they are hoping for some sponsorship to defray the cost of this installation, as the Home mainly depends on donations from the public and the annual grant from the State Welfare Dept.
The Catholic group also mingled with the children and before departing, they gave a cash donation to the Home.
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