KUCHING: Sarawak Single Mothers Association (PITSA) needs one or two volunteers who are qualified counsellors to help its members.
President of PITSA, Hajah Salma Haji Ibrahim revealed this at a press conference after she and other PITSA members paid a courtesy visit on the Minister of Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing and PITSA Advisor, Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah yesterday.
“Since the association was founded in 1999, we have been providing normal counselling to members who need it.
“If the problems faced by members are complex, such as being beaten or abused by ex-husbands or others, we will refer the cases to the Social Welfare Department and the relevant agencies,” she said.
Salmah said usually members of the association who needed help would appear suddenly at the association’s office.
She added that the association was encouraging members who needed counselling to make appointments in advance.
Salmah explained that since the association was a non-governmental organisation (NGO), it was seeking volunteer counsellors.
“We cannot afford to pay counsellors to provide counseling. Instead, we hope civilians who have the skills to come forward voluntarily to help the association,” she said.
She added the support provided by a qualified counsellor was highly appreciated because the association now had about 14,000 members and 49 branches statewide.
Salmah said besides training them in leadership and business skills, the association also trained its members in the field of counselling.
“The time has come for the association to have one or two qualified counsellors,” she added.
Earlier, Salmah said the association would be holding a food fair on 13 August in front of the Christian Ecumenical Worship Centre at Jalan Stampin here. Sales of the food coupons would start soon, she explained.
“This is the first time the association is holding a food fair to help raise money. We plan to set up 80 stalls and targets to raise about RM120,000,”she added.
