SERIAN: Tadika Juara of St Joseph’s Convent received a grant of RM1 mln from the Unit for Other Religions (Unifor) recently.
The grant was handed over by Semuja assemblyman John Ilus to headmistress Sr Jane Mbang.
“I’m elated and thankful to Unifor and many others who have helped in one way or another to raise funds for the new building.
“Architect Ivy Jong was invited by the committee to plan for the whole project for free,” said building fundraising committee director Dr Kiu Chiong Ching.
Since its establishment in 1957, St Joseph’s Convent here had been serving the community, including needy children and orphans.
“This home-based nursery was started around 1974 to help with the care and education of young children, sent by both the Social Welfare Department as well as the local community. In 1998, the Maternity Home ceased its operations and evolved into a kindergarten.
“The kindergarten, which occupies the existing Maternity Home building, has been registered as Tadika Juara with the Education Department since 2002. All these years, the daily running needs and maintenance of the school buildings are sourced and managed by their own congregation.
“The demand for enrolment to Tadika Juara has increased over the years. With the encouragement of the local community and benefactors, the Franciscan Sisters had decided to extend their current premises to cater for the increasing demand,” Sr Jane said.
She added that the current premises was becoming inadequate for the nuns and qualified teachers to provide a holistic and contemporary education. As such, a new building project was planned.
Any financial contributions and donations are welcome and can be made via cheque payee to Sister of St Francis of Sarawak (Tadika Juara) or direct bank transfer to Maybank account no MBB: 5 11235 010157.
To ensure proper issuing of receipts upon contributions/donations, please identify full-name and personal contact details via transaction reference and/or email notification to alopez389@gmail.com.
