A visit to Pusat Ehsan

On Thursday 21 February, a group of us from the Technical Services Function visited Pusat Ehsan in Kg. Bengkurong. It was part of our monthly healthy lifestyle program (HLP). It was decided that HLP programmes this year will not be limited to sports events. The visit to Pusat Ehsan came under the social responsibility programme where we would try to reach out and do a little something to give back to the society.

After a quick lunch break at MOD Thai Restaurant in Jerudong, we proceeded to Pusat Ehsan. Upon our arrival at the Centre, we were briefed by the Acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dato Paduka Haji Alimin bin Hj Abd Wahab, whose brother was the Managing Director of BLNG, Dato Paduka Haji Hamdillah. We were briefed on the organisation, mission and vision, activities, programmes and the aspiration of the Centre. Started in 1999, the Centre currently hosts about 40 special people, undergoing different rehabilitation and education programmes. In short, the programmes are designed to help prepare these special people to live independently in the society. For the younger ones, the programmes are also designed to prepare them for mainstream education.

It was really amazing to learn that the centre operates mainly on donations by companies, social organisations and the public. We also learnt that many kind-hearted Bruneians make regular donations to the Centre, in the form of monetary and non-monetary donations, such as kitchen supplies, computers and furniture among many other items. There are also many volunteers who spent the free time working at the Centre. I am really proud to be part of this caring and kind-hearted society.

After the briefing, we visited the many classes at the Centre, each running their own programme. As most of us were first time visitors to the Centre, the visit opened our eyes to these special people. Many hearts were touched and some people were trying hard not to shed any tears, especially when we saw these special people trying their best to be part of the society. Their determination and will to learn left an impression on us. If these people with some impairment can learn things, why do some able-bodied people just sit down and wait for help to come to them?

One of the classes that we visited was the handicraft class. Here, a group of these special people were making hand-made bookmarks and greeting cards, which would be sold to the public. Last year for Hari Raya Aidilfitri, BLNG ordered 3,000 hand-made Hari Raya cards as the official BLNG Hari Raya card. At the time of our visit, they were busy trying to meet an order of 3,000 bookmarks from one of the government ministries. Armed with scissors, cutters and rulers, we were supposed to help them with the order. Alas, we did not have time to actually help them and this left many of us disappointed.

Many of us decided that the memorable visit to the Centre left a lasting impression on us and this visit will also never be easily forgotten. Some of us vowed to return to the Centre in the future to spend some time and volunteer at the Centre.

The media reports on the visit can be accessed at:
1. Borneo Bulletin: Technical staff of BLNG Sdn Bhd visits Pusat Ehsan
2. The Brunei Times: BLNG staff visit Pusat Ehsan
3. Media Permata: BLNG adakan lawatan, kerja amal di Pusat Ehsan

If you would like to volunteer at Pusat Ehsan or buy any of the hand-made items (such as greeting cards and bookmarks), please go to the Centre itself at Simpang 66-30-60, Kg Bengkurong, Jalan Bengkurong-Masin, Brunei Darussalam. Its website will be launched on 2 March 2008.