Shareda to build new houses for the blind
Published on: Friday, September 26, 2014
KOTA KINABALU: Housing for residents at the Wallace Sheltered Workshop in Tuaran was built more than 20 years ago and, except for repairs done on several of the units two years ago, it is in urgent need of repair. The workshop is managed by the Sabah Society for the Blind to provide the blind place to work and stay while waiting to secure employment. There are 35 families living in the housing provided at the centre but many of the houses are now in unlivable condition and unable to cope with the demands to accommodate more residents. ADVERTISEMENT Members of Shareda's Youth wing, led by its Vice President Kevin Thong, paid a visit to the centre recently to survey the area in preparation for its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) project to build a new housing units to replace the dilapidated houses. Also in the visit was All-4-One Production, who documented the survey on video and Property Hunter magazine, which will be supporting the project with regular updates on its progress. A design proposal to construct a longhouse unit with six twin-sharing rooms and a common dining and living area has been prepared and will be brought to the centre's management for consultation to ensure that the needs of the residents are incorporated into the design. The project was firmed up after a courtesy call by the Sabah Society for the Blind to Shareda President, Francis Goh, who immediately offered the association's support to address their concerns. ADVERTISEMENT President of the Sabah Society for the Blind, Rosalind Chew, expressed her gratitude for the affirmative action taken by Shareda to come to their aid and to contribute their expertise in designing the new housing unit. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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"The two main concerns of the centre are to provide housing and job opportunities for the blind who come to us because they have no other resource to fend for themselves," she says.
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"Although we receive financial assistance from the Government, it is not sufficient to bear the cost of running the centre. We do receive support and funding from the public and corporate companies which we are very grateful for but we still need to be proactive to source for more funds to provide for better facilities for the blind here.