KUALA LUMPUR: Smiles and joy were etched on the faces of around 60 orphans and single mothers from the underprivileged community at the Stepping Stones Living Centre, who were feted to a Deepavali treat on Saturday.
The visit by the New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd staff to the home, based in Taman Seputeh, is part of the NST Outreach initiative in the company’s corporate social responsibility prgramme.
NSTP corporate communications head, Wan Abdillah Wan Nawi, said the annual programme is meant to spread cheer among members of the underprivileged community who celebrate the Festival of Lights.
He said it is also meant to pay tribute to NST readers, who hail from various backgrounds, ethnicity and religions, as well as channel much-needed contributions.
“It also drives home the point that NSTP is a caring organisation which appreciates its readership base.
“We will continue our activities via the NST Outreach initiative to include other festivals such as Christmas as well as Chinese New Year,” he said.
The programme, which began at 10am, saw the house’s residents enjoying activities such as a kolam-building contest and henna-painting. The residents were also treated to free haircuts.
The Stepping Stones Living Centre residents also enjoyed a KFC lunch before the programme ended at 1pm.
NSTP also presented donations such as cooking oil, sugar, soap, biscuits and milk worth around RM1,000 in total.
Stepping Stones Living Centre, managed by Dr Johnson A Rajahser and his wife Dr Nina A Rajahser, was established on Nov 1998 as a home for children, women, single mothers as well as the elderly.