Ting (centre) hands over the champion prize to a representative of Maybank Malaysia Bhd for winning the best decorated stall competition during the open house sale.
SIBU: More and more urbanites are found to be suffering from visual impairment, Sarawak Society for the Blind (SSB) Sibu Division branch chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh noted.
“The Blind Society is facing a new challenge. Many of those getting blind now, particularly the urbanites, are diabetics,” he said.
He also lamented the unreadiness of urbanites who have eye problems to seek assistance from SSB or the Welfare Department.
Speaking at a dinner to celebrate the 42nd annual open house of Sibu Blind Centre at Tanahmas Hotel here on Sunday, Ting urged people with eye problems to seek help from SSB.
“SSB was set up in 1964 for the prime objective of helping the visually handicapped,” he added.
He said SSB is virtually a school that teaches the blind to learn living skills to enable them to be independent in leading a decent lifestyle.
“Many people have the misconception that our centre is like an old folk’s home with many needy people putting up there.
“In the early days of the centre’s existence, many visually handicapped have to stay in the centre due to poor road accessibility.
“It was inconvenient for them to go back to their own homes after learning skills at the centre.
“It’s different now. They can come to our centre to learn living skills, then go home, even if their homes are as far away as in Tg Manis,” Ting explained.
He also mentioned that SSB has been spending much on its food parcel programme for the blind which has been so for many years.
“Under this programme, every blind inmate is entitled to RM80 to purchase essential items like cooking oil and rice. We are planning to raise the amount to RM100,” he added.
According to him,the blind centre in Sibu has registered between 350 and 400 visually handicapped.
He advised others who have not registered with SSB to do so soonest to benefit from the various programmes of SSB such as the food parcel programme.
“Those registered for the programme may obtain food from the identified shops, including those in places like Kapit and Sarikei.
“Just send us the bills, and we will settle them,” he said.
Also present at the dinner were National Council for the Blind Malaysia president Dato Dr Hsiung Kwo Yeun, SSB Sibu Division branch adviser Dato Ding Lian Cheon and the open house organising chairperson Datin Judy Lau.