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STOC BEC makes Lenten visit to Sabah Cheshire Home Sandakan
SANDAKAN – Thirty-eight members of St Teresa of Calcutta Indah Jaya BEC (STOC BEC) made a Lenten visit to the Sabah Cheshire Home Sandakan located at Mile 5 Jalan Sibuga here on 3 March 2018.
Ermawati, assistant manager, gave a briefing on the background, statistics and programmes run by Cheshire Home. Currently, the home houses 27 residents with disabilities, 19 stay-in and eight receiving day care services. Five children below the age of 4 years are given early intervention services at the centre.
The Home was established in the year 2000 and has a work force of 20 personnel. All of whom are well trained to provide residential care and training to promote independence for individuals with disabilities. Beyond that, they also provide support services to the families of the individual residents.
Being an NGO, the Home depends much on donations, government grants and some income derived from their ‘Treasure Shop.’ The thrift shop receives contributions of used household items from caring members of the society and disposes it at a reasonable amount to people who may need it.
She appreciated the visit organised by the BEC and hoped more will come forth to assist the less privileged. She encouraged the wider society to be more participative in outreach work especially to the less fortunate.
John Tan, chairman of STOC BEC, thanked the BEC members for participating in the visit.
He urged the members to deeply reflect on the blessings received and how, as individuals, may share them with others. That way, he said, we are moving towards our vision, ‘Christ-centred community, serving one another with love.’
Members of the BEC contributed some food stuff, used household items and cash to the Home. They spend time visiting the various sections of the Home. They also patronised the ‘Treasure Shop.’ The visit ended with a luncheon fellowship with the residents. Before leaving, Sister Appollonia fsic led the closing prayer. – Romeo Francis