KUCHING: Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah along with non-governmental organisation 38 Yayasan Amal Cinta and Kuching City South Council (MBKS) mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng showed their love to the children at The Salvation Army Kuching Corps by celebrating Christmas and Winter Solstice with them on Thursday night.
Fatimah said that these celebrations would be able to give the children there the best opportunity to experience different types of celebrations from different races and cultures and help them to understand each other better.
“With all the celebrations they have here every year, like Christmas and Winter Solstice right here today, then Chinese New Year next month, followed by Hari Raya, Gawai Dayak and many more, they get to learn about diversity and respect over here, which is also part of the beauty of Sarawak, as they get to know about other races, ethnics, cultures and backgrounds.
“As always, unity is very important and this is what we uphold over here in Sarawak. It is very important to inculcate in our children the value of respect for others even though we may come from different races, cultures, religious backgrounds or beliefs.
“We have to inculcate them from a very young age so that when they grow up, they understand diversity and respect others to continue to live harmoniously and this is what we want here in Sarawak to become a developed state.
“Besides being a developed state, we want Sarawak to continue being a harmonious place to live in, where there is unity, solidarity and we care and respect one another,” she added during her speech given at the ‘Winter Solstice and Christmas Celebration with residents of the Salvation Army Children’s Home here.
She also thanked charitable organisations like The Salvation Army and 38 Yayasan Amal Cinta for providing for the needs of the children who had been neglected, abused or orphaned.
“I would like to thank The Salvation Army for providing shelters and facilities for the children here so that they feel safe, secure and protection was given to them.
“They are also guaranteed to go to school over here which is also very important for their development.
“I would also like to thank 38 Yayasan Amal Cinta for continuing their good deeds in Kuching and also in my area, Dalat,” she gratefully stated.
During the programme, she also presented mock cheques for educational donations given by 38 Yayasan Amal Cinta to five students amounting to RM43,986 in total for them to continue with their studies, along with 16 bicycles provided to the children at the Salvation Army Children’s Home.
The celebration ended with the singing of Christmas carols by the children and a nice dinner party.
