Pusat Ehsan gets new block

STARTING last Friday, the Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam Bengkurong in Muara has a new classroom. The construction of the new block began in mid-February and was completed in middle June this year.

A blessing ceremony was held recently and witnessed by Acting Director of Social Services of the Ministry of Welfare, Youth and Sports, Datin Shireen Hj Mustapha, Pusat Ehsan Friends of New Block (PEFNB), Board of Trustees and numerous sponsors of the building.

This effort was funded entirely by generous contributions from various financial and business corporations. The main sponsor of this project was Bank Islam Brunei Darussalam (BIBD). Other major sponsors include the Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), Telekom Brunei (TelBru), Total E & P Borneo B V, and ESC Group Sdn. Bhd.

The project was overseen and brought to fruition by a committee of volunteers from various business, professional backgrounds and PEFNB.

The new block houses six classrooms, two washrooms and others amenities offer a condusive educational and social environment students with special needs.

Previously, they had to share facilities with other students as one of the existing wooden classroom blocks was severely infested with termites, and hence, was deemed hazardous.

The new classrooms will be used for various purposes such as the Early Intervention programme (EIP), Special Needs Unit (SNU), Life Skills programme and a Soft Play Room.

EIP caters to children aged three to five years old and is used to develop students' cognitive abilities, communication, self care and social skills. While SNU is a special needs programme intended for younger students who are confined to wheelchairs and required intensive rehabilitation intervention and a well-structured educational programme.

The Life Skills programme is geared towards helping the physically challenged individuals, who are above 15- years old to be able to independently carry out their daily routines. The Soft Play Room is meant for promoting learning through the five senses using special equipments and materials such as a mini ball pool, pediatric steps and a soft mattress-lined floor.

The joyous occasion has brought together sponsors, volunteers and students of Pusat Ehsan and enabled donators to see how their contributions have helped to improve and enrich the lives of individuals with special needs.

Such socially responsible and altruistic acts from public institutions and individuals has helped the non-government organisation (NGO's) like Pusat Ehsan to further expand and extend its services to cater to more individuals with special needs.

Pusat Ehsan also extended its utmost gratitude to all sponsors who have contributed generously in cash and kind, and to PEFNB — the group of volunteers who have contributed money, time and efforts towards thesucces of the whole project from start to finish.(BPA1)

The Brunei Times