KUALA LUMPUR: THE Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KLSCCCI) recently organised the Malaysia Day Charity Luncheon at the Kuala Lumpur International Hotel for underprivileged children from various charity homes.
In his speech, KLSCCCI president Datuk Ter Leong Yap welcomed guests and representatives from the various charity centres to the luncheon and exalted the nation’s forefathers’ wisdom in creating Malaysia.
“One hundred and fifty-six representatives from various charity organisations in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor came to celebrate with us. Events like this are held to foster unity and harmony among all Malaysians.
“Our organisation has been conducting charity luncheons like this annually since 2007 to celebrate Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and other celebrations together with the public, especially the underprivileged,” said Ter.
Teachers Sharifah Aluyah and Selvi Balakrishnan from the Selangor and Federal Territory Association of The Mentally Handicapped and some of their students were among those present at the grand luncheon.
“We have around 400 kids in our association. The kids are divided into four different categories. Babies aged three months to six years old are part of our ‘early intervention programme’ while students aged seven to 18 are enrolled in our school programme.
We provide vocational training to students aged 19 to 45 where they are taught how to sew, create handicrafts, cook and do other things.
“Others in this same age group are taught in our shelter workshops on how to pack napkins, plastic forks and knives for fast food companies and others,” said Sharifah.
On the event, several students from Sharifah’s centre entertained the crowd by participating in a song and dance routine using pom-poms.
Madhura Rajaderan, 18, a student from the Association of Social Services And Community Development Of Gombak District, said that she and her friends were excited to be celebrated at the event.
“We had a good time and the food is fantastic. We are grateful to the organisers for treating us to a good lunch and for celebrating Malaysia Day with us,” she said.