KOTA KINABALU: Disabled people under the economic empowerment programme at Sabah Cheshire Home will benefit from the RM23,830 donation from the Hong Leong Foundation.
The donation is to enable Sabah Cheshire Home to purchase 15 personal computers for the pastry and baking training centre, which aims to equip trainees with the necessary skills for them to join the workforce.
It is hoped that the computer training, which is part of the trainees’ syllabus in the pastry course, will enhance their computer and information technology literacy to enable them to access specialized materials on disability issues.
The computer room will be equipped with a mini library which will serve as a resource centre where educators, scholars, people with disabilities, families and the public can visit to make their reference.
President of the home, Rowland Chin Kok Fah, said the first intake of the pastry and baking course started in January this year with 13 trainees, and they have just completed level one training.
The course is divided into two levels, each consisting of six-month training. Upon completing 12 months of training, the students will undergo two months of practical in bakery shops or hotels. Students are required to attend training from 9am to 4pm from Monday to Friday, which include portfollio preparation, English class, computer training and pastry class.
“The economic empowerment programme is to equip disabled people for the workplace to earn their own income, rather than depending on assistance,” he said.
He added that trainees who have completed the course will receive certificates from a government recognized body to enable them to get employment.
The home is also attempting to set up a bakery business by employing trainees to bake cakes and pastries for sale to outlets.
On the other hand, Chin said Sabah Cheshire Home is currently looking for other sources to sponsor the next intake of students. The course fee for each student is RM3,000 per level.
Sabah Skills and Technology Centre (SSTC) has sponsored the first intake of students but the home was informed that they could not continue the funding for the next intake, Chin said.
Sabah Cheshire Home is also seeking donation for other equipment such as referrence books, shelves and tables and urged people to offer their assistance by being a volunteer or give donor.
Currently the home has spent over RM10,000 to purchase equipment for the baking course.
Chin expressed his gratitude to the Hong Leong Foundation for the donation, adding that Sabah Cheshire Home also sought assistance from the private sector for its operating costs.
Hong Leong Foundation has also donated RM26,000 to Sabah Cheshire Home in Sandakan for its food asssistance programme.
Also present were Hong Leong Foundation chairman Shiu Vay Leung, secretary Brian Chung, committee members Terence Ng, Lee Tain Wui, George Hiew, Frank Koh, Hong Leong Bank Berhad representatives Canny Lee, Vincent Chua and manager of Sabah Cheshire Home Jennifer Liew.