Lawson (eighth left) poses for a photograph with the award recipients.
KUCHING: The state Community Welfare Department (JKM) has organised a ‘JKM Volunteers Conference’ to acknowledge the contributions of volunteers as well as the Welfare Volunteers Organisation (PSK).
The conference, which was held for the first time, saw 200 participants and PSK from various departments. The conference was made merrier with a ‘JKM Volunteers Appreciation Ceremony’ which was graced by Assistant Minister of Welfare Robert Lawson Chuat.
During the ceremony, which was held on Thursday night at Merdeka Palace here, Lawson said that up until Jan 29 this year, as many as 1,949 JKM volunteers were registered with the Samarahan Division recording the highest number with 432.
Under the Home Help Services, as many as 289 volunteers were registered as of Jan 31 this year and they have helped as many as 751 clients in various divisions.
“Last year, the state JKM approved RM900,000 for a state PSK grant for 60 PSKs and as much as RM959,614 federal PSK grants for 11 PSKs. All the grant allocations, be it federal or state, are intended to help part of PSK operations and activities. This is also a sign of the interest and appreciation of the ministry and government for PSKs that also help the department’s target group,” he said in his speech.
Lawson, who was also representing the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development, added that the ministry hoped that PSKs would benefit from the grant.
“JKM Sarawak has carried out programmes and activities with PSK through state and divisional-level activities, and in 2014, JKM has successfully carried out and joined 31 programmes in collaboration with PSKs at all levels,” Lawson said.
During the ceremony, Lawson also presented four awards – ‘Anugerah Sukarelawan Cemerlang JKM’, ‘Anugerah Sukarelawan Home Help Services Penyayang’, ‘Anugerah Sukarelawan Aktif’ and ‘Anugerah PSK Cemerlang’.
JKM Sarawak director Abang Shamshudin Seruji as well permanent secretary to the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development Rodziah Morshidi were also present.