IN DISCUSSION: Nancy (second left) discussing with Permodalan Assar’s senior executive Dzulkifer Sahbari (left) on the new SFWI building while SFWI exco members(from third left) Datin Fatimah Mok, Kapitan Doris Koh, Datuk Hajijah Uteh and Hamimah Hasbulah look on.
KUCHING: Sarawak Federation of Women’s Institute (SFWI) will soon be able to conduct programmes and activities on a larger scale with the completion of the NGO’s new headquarters early next year.
“Apart from serving as an office to SFWI, we are also looking into organising meetings and training programmes for our members here,” said SFWI chairwoman and Batang Sadong MP Nancy Shukri at the new headquarters site visit here yesterday.
Located along Green Road, the three-storey SFWI building developed by Permodalan Assar is expected to be completed by February next year.
“We hope to see the headquarters up and running by March or April next year,” Nancy revealed, adding that plans have also been made to include a cafe, wellness centre and accommodation for members outside Kuching who are in town for training or seminars organised by the association.
“There will also be a gallery to showcase the historic milestone of SFWI and also to commemorate those who we re involved in the association since it was formed in 1962,” she said.
According to Nancy, Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud pledged a RM350,000 grant to get its fundraising effort going, and the association has since raised around RM500,000 which will go towards the upkeeping of SFWI’s facilities.
“SFWI organises programmes to ensure consistency of skills applications where to date, we have around 10,000 members throughout Sarawak,” Nancy said.