SIBU: Organisations in the town are encouraged to offer assistance to the Sibu Division Branch of the Sarawak Society for the Blind.
Chairman Clarence Ting Ing Horh said the branch caters not only to the people here but also to those who are blind in other divisions such as Mukah, Sarikei, and Kapit.
“Previously, those who were blind actually lived in the centre, and the most we catered to in a year was 35 individuals. Now they are not living in the centre anymore; however, we provide them with a ‘food parcel’.
“They will go to the supermarket, pick up their food, and the bills will be sent to the centre, and this (the bills) is for the central region,” he said in his speech at the branch 45th annual open house dinner at a renowned hotel here last night (Nov 13).
Ting, who is the Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman, said the branch receives many requests from hospitals and eye clinics for help.
“The eye clinic and hospitals ask us whether we can help those people who are visually impaired and cannot afford spectacles or equipment needed for them to see better.
“Now, we also help to purchase all these so they can see better and lead a normal life. This is the reason why community support is very important for us,” he said.
On the open house, Ting said that the branch managed to raise RM158,537.
He hoped that next year’s open house will receive better response from the public and organisations to raise more funds.