Pusat Ehsan Charity Bazaar

The 5th annual Pusat Ehsan Charity Bazaar took place last weekend and I managed to catch the first day of it (as opposed to the tail-end last year).

Pusat Ehsan Policy and Planning Trustee, Haji Ahmad bin Haji Rahman, was delighted to receive such an overwhelming response, especially the large number of volunteers comprising students from various schools and Universiti Brunei Darussalam, as well as individuals who came to help out with the booths, games and also other services throughout the bazaar.

"I feel very happy with all the volunteers. They have done a very good job selling the coupons, keeping the place clean, sponsoring the camps, making walkways on the grassy area of the bazaar and as far as setting up a cafe and printing T-shirts designed by Pusat Ehsan students where 100 per cent of the proceeds will go directly to Pusat Ehsan," he said.

Participating organisations at the event were RTB, BARA, BEQ Equestrian, various restaurants, companies and embassies, as well as a fitness centre. According to Hj Ahmad, they have to keep up these activities to sustain their funds to finance their operations.

"As you know our operation cost goes up to $40,000 per month to pay the teachers, professionals, equipment and to keep this building comfortable thus needing a sustainable fund. "Of course we are not going to solely rely on these fund raising activities and donations we will be thinking on how to sustain our fund in the future so I hope many people will support us and give us some suggestions on how we can survive as we do not receive government funding," he added.

Currently, Pusat Ehsan has 125 students in Bengkurong and in KB, and more than 40 teachers and staff. Students of the centre enrol at the centre free of charge, which takes in people from all districts and even outside the country.

Haji Ahmad also said that the centre’s main objective is to put more emphasis on how to prepare their students for their outside life or their `exit strategy’ in order for them to be sustainable when going into the job market. "But at the same time the environment outside should also be fair to them. They have the equity and we have to give the equity that they deserve such as in the job market or in businesses," said Haji Ahmad.

Pusat Ehsan receives funds from charity events they have organised the Charity Bazaar and Charity Golf Tournament, as well as receiving donations from various organisations and individuals. — Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin