KUCHING: Bandar Kuching MP Dr Kelvin Yii is urging members of the public to take part in the fundraising for the restoration of SMK St. Joseph’s (SJS) Mill Hill Block.
Earlier, Kelvin, who is a former Josephian, presented a donation amounting to RM50,000 to the school principal Henry Chai for the restoration campaign.
“The building was built in 1894 and remains as a heritage to its students. Last year, it was declared that the building was no longer safe to be used for the learning process.
But due to the lack of classrooms and the urgent need for more rooms, this campaign was launched to raise funds to restore a part of history and its heritage,” he told a press conference at SJS here today.
The cost of restoring and repairing the building is estimated at RM3.7 million and at May 22 this year, RM622,500 has been raised. The remaining amount that needs to be raised is RM3.07 million.
The restoration project will begin in August and is expected to be completed in 2021.
Yii said that as a former student and also Bandar Kuching MP, he has played a small part in contributing to the project for the interest and welfare of the students as well as the school.
“I have pledged an initial amount of RM100,000 which is from the constituency’s allocation in the form of two contributions; the remaining RM50,000 will be given next year,” he added.
Yii also urged fellow Josephians to take part in the initiative as it would not only restore history but also provide the school with the opportunity to have a better learning environment.
Yii added that he was actively sourcing for more funding from the federal ministries including the Education Ministry and Finance Ministry.
Meanwhile, the Old Josephians’ Association president Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian is also actively raising funds for the campaign.
Besides that, the school will also be organising fundraising events from time to time.
A fun run entitled Save Mill Hill Run 2019 is part of the fundraising event for the restoration of the building.
The run, to be held on July 27, 2019, is divided into three categories – 3KM, 5KM and 10KM. The registration fee for the 3KM and 5KM run are priced at RM45 each while the 10KM run is RM55.
Registration can be done online through www.malaysiarunner.com or at the school office or RevRun at Green Heights Mall. Registration ends on June 23, 2019.
