Narongdaun donates silk painting to society for auction

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Narongdaun (second right) presents a silk painting to Koo (third right).

KUCHING: Sarawak Society for the Deaf yesterday received donation of a silk painting from a Bidayuh artist Narongdaun.

The painting was handed over to the society’s chairperson Wenderine Koo at Narongdaun’s village (Garung) in Jalan Puncak Borneo here yesterday.

Koo said the association would use the painting for an art auction specially for corporations in conjunction with their (society) fund-raising drive this year.

“We are going to send letters to several corporations to bid for the painting, starting at RM5,000.

“Proceeds from the auction will all go to the society,” she said after receiving the painting.

She added that the society would also be having a Charity Food Fair on Nov 4 (from 8am to noon) to raise funds for their annual activities, which include the equipping of the special people with abilities through various events with the hearing society, apart from raising awareness among hearing people regarding deaf community and culture.

She said during the charity food fair, the public would have the opportunity to meet with the deaf community and be made aware of the differences between the so-called deaf culture and hearing culture.

“Outstanding developments of special groups of deaf people in Kuching will be showcased. Handcrafts, food and other items prepared by the deaf community will also be on sale.

“There will be about 80 stalls run by enthusiastic people and support groups during the charity food fair,” she said.

Among interesting events of the day are mini game stations, and three mobile karaoke truck with singing sessions to make the event more exciting. The public can even try out a different haircut by the society’s very professional hair stylists from Hairven Saloon!

Koo said members of the public can support this fund-raising event through sponsorship in cash or kind, buying of food-fair tickets and setting up of stalls.

The society is a non-profit charitable organisation, which looks after the welfare of the deaf community in Sarawak, provide training and development of living skills for the deaf people.

It also organises various activities and projects throughout the year for deaf members such as workshops, hands-on skill learning classes, talks, and motivational camps.

These activities and projects enable the deaf community to have the opportunity to improve their living skills and their quality of life.

The society also has a car wash service at their premises to provide jobs for the deaf people. It also aims to recruit more volunteers from the hearing community who, after attending the sign language classes, would be able to communicate with the deaf using sign language, thus becoming the bridge between the deaf and hearing people.

It also welcomes members of the public to sign up for a three-month sign language course.

Currently, there are two deaf sign language instructors teaching students from all walks of life.