WALK FOR CHARITY: Fatimah (left) presenting the ‘Sarawak Volunteers Walk of Love; We Care, We Share’ donation card while Norjanah looks on. — Photo by Chimon Upon
KUCHING: Around 100 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will be participating in the ‘Sarawak Volunteers Walk of Love; We Care, We Share’ fund raising programme next month.
This was revealed by Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah who pointed out that 1,000 donation cards will be distributed to the participating NGOs to carry out its own fund raising activity from Oct 6 to Dec 31.
“While the ministry often provides allocation to the NGOs, the government can only give so much and at the end of the day, they still need financial assistance.
“Therefore, through this inaugural charity event, the NGOs can carry out their own fund raising activities on their own initiative and whatever they raise, go back to them,” said Fatimah at a press conference following the ‘Sarawak Volunteers Walk of Love; We Care, We Share’ briefing at Wisma Bapa Malaysia here yesterday.
She also noted that the event aimed at inculcating moral values and volunteerism among the younger generation.
“We believe that given the opportunity, our young people would not hesitate to become volunteers for voluntary organisations to help the disadvantaged and poor in our society,” said Fatimah, adding that students from public higher learning institutions (IPTA) and private higher learning institutions (IPTS) as well as National Service Training Programme (PLKN) trainees will also be participating in the event.
Meanwhile, in conjunction with ‘Sarawak Volunteers Walk of Love; We Care, We Share’, a 3.8km walk will be held on Oct 6 where around 5,000 participants from all walks of life are expected to participate.
“The walk will start at 7am at the Kuching Integrated Recreational Centre (KIRC) and participants will take park in a walk around the city before making their way back to KIRC,” she said.
Other activities that will also be organised then include the ‘senamtari 1Malaysia’, singing performances, a children’s drawing and colouring competition as well as booths set up by participating NGOs.
Among those present at the press conference was Sarawak Women’s Bureau director Norjanah Razali.