Daniel Lim
Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin attended the re-opening and appreciation day ceremony for the newly-renovated Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam (Pusat Ehsan) in Belait District yesterday.
In his speech, Pusat Ehsan Education Trustee Dato Paduka Dr Haji Omar bin Haji Khalid said the renovations had taken months to complete, adding that “in 2009, the centre began operations with only 10 children. That number had steadily increased to 53, before we had to make the decision to close temporarily for a number of reasons”.
The reasons included the COVID-19 outbreak and the need to adhere to health and safety operating procedures, financial constraints stemming from the prolonged lockdown, staff constraints as well as the need to carry out maintenance and repair works.
As such, the centre had to be temporarily closed to make way for heavy renovations.
The centre has been given a fresh coat of paint, both inside and out, and boasts new furniture and equipment.
Dato Paduka Dr Haji Omar extended gratitude to contributors and donors that included Lai Foo Heng, Lee Yin En, Wong Kai Tee, Sim Yen Ming, Lai Chow Ngee, PFH Fire Protection Company, Stephen Chin, Maya Kumari Ramchandan from Sunil’s Emporium, Lions Club of Bandar Seri Begawan and MC Maju Cold Storage Sdn Bhd.
He also welcomed new staffers Nurussaadatul Firdaus Saifulbahri, the newly appointed principal, with a Master’s in Children with Special Needs; and Diane Talabis Solinap, a long-serving staff member at Pusat Ehsan in the capital, who has been appointed as a full-time coordinator at the Belait District branch.
“I am pleased to report that in these challenging times, Pusat Ehsan has taken the opportunity to find appropriate ways to serve the children in our care in a complex environment.
“The staff has forged innovative ways to reach our children via online learning and other forms of blended services. It has been a learning curve for our staff. They have listened to feedback and strived to improve their skills,” Dato Paduka Dr Haji Omar said.
Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan later commemorated the occasion by signing a specially prepared plaque, and cutting the ribbon to officiate the completion of renovation works. Certificates were also presented to contributors and donors.
The minister later toured the facilities and mingled with the staff and volunteers.
