Yong (in checkered shirt), Benjamin, the volunteers and students.
KOTA KINABALU: Volunteers from Latter-Day Saint Charities yesterday gave the Sabah Society for the Deaf’s playground in its premises along Jalan Bukit Padang, a new coat of paint.
They also presented the welfare organization and home with educational materials, sports equipment, a television set and a water dispenser.
“Latter-Day Saint Charities is the welfare arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which is based at Salt Lake City in Utah, United States of America,” country director Elder Benjamin Read said.
Benjamin who led the 30-strong group of volunteers said it was the first time the church was helping the Sabah Society for the Blind although it had been helping out the needy through other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Rotary Club and Cheshire Home.
“We are also assisting the Sabah Society for the Blind in Tuaran with their mushroom houses,” he said adding that currently people in over 160 countries around the world were being helped regardless of race, nationality, political affiliation or religious belief.
According to Benjamin, Latter-Day Saint Charities had, with Sabah Cheshire Home, distributed 280 wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes in Sabah and 248 wheelchairs in Kuching, with the assistance of Sarawak Cheshire Home.
“The assistance in Sabah costs RM255,000 while the one in Sarawak was RM159,000. We have also ordered another 280 wheelchairs to be distributed in Sabah,” he said when met at the Sabah Society for the Deaf premises yesterday.
He added that with the assistance of Rotary Club of Kinabalu Sutera, they had distributed 1,365 eye glass frames and spent RM242,202 on optical equipment and vision glasses for children in Tawau.
“Currently we hope to develop additional opportunities in Tawau and Lahad Datu areas for fresh water and sanitation projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sabah Society for the Deaf president Francis Yong expressed his gratitude to Latter-Day Saint Charities for their assistance and support.
According to Yong, there are currently 13 students ranging from the ages of four to 13 studying at the centre.
“Some are residing in the premises and the students are those referred there either by the Welfare Department or hospitals.
“Other than sign language, we also teach them practical living skills such as taking care of personal hygiene as these are needed in their daily life,” he said.
Yong disclosed that the Society needed RM15,000 a month for its operational costs and while it receives an annual grant from the government through the Sabah Council of Social Services, it is not enough to meet their needs.
“We rely on public donation and fund-raising events. For that purpose, we will be holding our annual fund-raising bazaar on Oct 6 at our premises here. We invite the public to come and join us from 7am to 2pm,” Yong said.
Latter-Day Saint Charities volunteers giving the equipment at the playground a fresh coat of paint.