Latin women raise funds for three causes

Gutierrez (left) presenting a RM25,000 cheque to Tan (fourth from left)while other LWAM members look on.

WHEN a preschool in Sabah was burnt down in early April, its 14 pupils had no place to continue with their education.

Fortunately for them, Persatuan Kebajikan Suara Kanak-Kanak Malaysia (Suka Society) offered some assistance.

A Suka Society member provided his house to the children as a temporary school until they could raise enough funds to rebuild the school.

The association, which creates and implements long-term projects for marginal groups and children, can thank the Latin Women’s Association of Malaysia (LWAM) for providing the funds for it to accomplish its tasks.

LWAM president Cristina Gutierrez said they had successfully raised almost RM200,000 through two of their initiatives.

Suka Society and United Voice (UV) were two recipients of RM160,000 raised during LWAM’s XIII Charity Ball on Nov 26.

Another RM25,000 was raised by the organisation for social enterprise Helping Hands Penan, through a Christmas Bazaar on Nov 8.

UV advocates and ensures that persons with learning disabilities are given the right education and employment.

Its communication and fundraising coordinator Barbara Devaraj said the money would be used to build a counselling therapy room for members and to instal thread dyeing facilities for them to produce their own colourful yarn.

Helping Hands Penan director Violette Tan said the aid received would be used for solar power and water filtration system at a Penan village in Sarawak.

Lg Ludin village in Ulu Baram had no water and electricity supply, with villagers forced to find alternatives that were dangerous and hazardous to health, added Tan.