GEORGE TOWN – Malaysia’s oldest home for the visually impaired, the St Nicholas Home for the Blind, is operating with a monthly deficit of around RM250,000 after Covid-19 dried up its coffers.
The 96-year old home, which requires a yearly operating expenditure of RM1.2 million, is now in dire straits as donations were reduced by up to 90% by the economic uncertainties of lockdowns during the pandemic.
The home is an institution for the visually impaired, with 65 permanent residents currently. It has trained over thousands of sight-impaired people and those with other disabilities to be independent or to find jobs.
Despite projections of economic growth, charitable homes here have been struggling with limited donations whether from the public or private sector.
This was confirmed by the home’s general manager Carmen Chew, who stressed that St Nicholas is not closing permanently, but admitted that the home is on the brink of survival.
To raise funds, it is organising a food carnival on September 24, but that alone may be insufficient.
What the home needs is a consistent flow of donations and to help it reduce operating costs, Chew said.
The home provides education at a childcare centre for the disabled, early intervention programmes, and training for the hearing and visually impaired.
It also provides skills training in information technology, pastry making, handcrafts, and massage therapy, and has a centre to teach other vocational skills.
It also runs a home for senior citizens, a library, an audio production unit, and a braille production unit.
It costs some RM250,000 each month to keep St Nicholas running, Chew said.
“It’s unfortunate that costs have gone up but it is a reflection of the overall rise in living costs, which the entire country is experiencing,” said Chew.
Those who wish to help can contact St Nicholas at 018-988-5911. – The Vibes, August 18, 2022
