The construction of a double-storey building to house the residents of the Seri Cahaya welfare home currently living in cramped conditions is estimated to cost RM800,000.
Funds are therefore urgently needed from well-wishers and corporate bodies.
The ‘Dreams Do Come True’ charity concert being organised by Soroptimist International Penang at the WOU main campus on October 11th has managed to raise RM40,000 from ticket sales towards this worthy cause.
“All tickets are sold out. People can however contribute straight to the building fund,” said event organising chairperson Puan Sri Sue Dhanarajan. She stated that the fund now stands at RM100,000, with RM20,000 revenue collected from advertising in their concert souvenir programme and another RM40,000 in direct donations to the fund.
PUAN SRI SUE CHAIRS THE PRESS CONFERENCE.
Puan Sri Sue was speaking at a press conference at the WOU Homestead mansion. Also present were WOU Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Wong Tat Meng and former Penang MCA chief Tan Sri Dr Sak Cheng Lum, representing the celebrated Dolci Voci choir that will be performing at the charity concert.
She explained that plans for the brick building are in the final stages of being approved and they hope to start construction in October. “We do not intend to wait as I believe we can raise the funds. People will come forward to donate once they see the building coming up and the good work being done by Kali and Linda,” she added.
PUAN SRI SUE SHOWS THE PLANNED BUILDING FOR THE HOME.
Former nurse T. Kaliamah and social worker Linda Gregory founded Seri Cahaya in May 1999 to provide shelter and daycare to abandoned children, abused victims and others in need. The Home presently has 70 children, 15 single mothers and seven elderly ladies living in an overcrowded rented single-storey wooden house in Batu Maung.
TAN SRI DR SAK CHENG LUM CHATS WITH REPORTERS.
Meanwhile Prof Wong in his speech said, “Making dreams come true is very much in line with the main objective of WOU, which is to provide everyone who has the desire with the opportunity and the access to quality higher education in order to improve their lives, regardless of their gender, educational, ethnic or socio-economic background.”
He noted that “the support given by WOU to Soroptimist is guided by the principle of social inclusion in the University’s approach and a strong desire to actively engage with the larger community of Penang”.
PUAN SRI SUE WITH KALI (LEFT) AND LINDA (CENTRE).
Puan Sri Sue later introduced Kali and Linda to the media as the two strong women behind the charitable effort at Seri Cahaya.
Anyone wishing to help the residents of Seri Cahaya realise their dream of a new home come true can donate directly to the building fund.
Soroptimist International Penang is the Penang chapter of an international service organisation for business and professional women.
