KUCHING: Apart from being a place for charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Community Social Support Centre (CSSC) Kuching is where the community and government can work closely together.
Elica Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Bobby Ting Sie Ching hoped for the centre to nurture an environment that encourages the younger generation to volunteer their time and effort for those in need.
He pointed out that he was inspired by his wife Datin Lee Brenda Shen-Tel who kickstarted a community-led initiative to tackle food insecurity.
What began as a small food aid mission in their family living room exploded into a statewide privately funded food programme called Kuching Food Aid.
“In the last two years, we have felt the impact of the pandemic and seen the power that our community has by coming together to help those in need. Many private donors, NGOs and local charities banded together with limited resources to do the impossible day after day.
“Watching my wife, Shen-Tel go from helping five families a week to thousands in just months opened my eyes and as a family, we realised that our community needed more support than just food. From this, we made a unanimous decision that we wanted to do more and to give back in a bigger way,” he said.
Ting said in his speech during the memorandum of agreement (MoA) signing between Elica and the Ministry of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development (KWKPK) for CSSC Kuching project on Thursday (Feb 10).
He disclosed that after meeting with various NGOs in Kuching and taking the time to listen about pressing issues, the pair realised that there had yet to be a facility centrally located in Kuching city area to help those in need as well as for those who wish to donate and volunteer their time.
“We had a brief meeting with (minister) Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah to propose a partnership. While it is an idea that never had been attempted before, it is something that we felt we could help those in need.
“We wish to create a purpose-built community social support centre which aims at strengthening social links with a focus on welfare, youth engagement, wellbeing programmes and community events.”
He stated that they banded together with a group of passionate local architects, landscape consultants and interior designers who all donated their time to help with the project.
At the same time, workshops were conducted with welfare workers and NGO heads to discuss on the many uses that the space would have to accommodate within the building.
“The centre will be fully donated rent-free for a duration of five years with no cost to the government, NGOs and local charities to use. It has been custom-designed and will be purpose-built to fit all the needs and wants that NGOs have requested for.
“Everyone that I have met to ask for help rolled up their sleeves and said yes to assist in this initiative.”
On the MoA, Ting stated that it was exciting for him and his family as they had gathered much support to contribute as well as kickstart the centre.
“We also hope that the centre will be a place where local charities and NGOs can come together to share and collaborate with the government so more open dialogues can be made.
“We know that there are many uphill battles, but we are excited about this opportunity.”
