PENAMPANG: Woori Jib Home in Potuki for orphans and impoverished children received RM15,000 from Puspanita, an organisation representing wives and female members of the Civil Service from the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperative (MEDC).
Led by Datin Connie Parantis, the wife of MEDC’s Minister, Datuk Ewon Benedick, the group presented the funds at the
Woori Jib, which means ‘Our House’ in Korean, marked the organisation’s inaugural visit to the home, which was established and funded by generous individuals and establishments from Korea.
“This contribution by MEDC’s Puspanita was recently carried out in Selangor for the less fortunate in Kuala Lumpur. During this visit, I requested that the same be held in Sabah. I strongly believe that we should extend our support to similar establishments here. We have identified this home in Penampang for our contribution,” she stated.
Connie expressed her hopes that such contributions would also be extended to other welfare establishments in the state in the future. She emphasised the importance of helping the less fortunate and needy, ensuring they can benefit from the support provided.
Meanwhile, Immelda Immit, the Chairperson of Puspanita Penampang, expressed her gratitude for the contribution made to Woori Jib Home. She commended the organisation for their commendable efforts in providing the necessities to give children a great basic start in life.
She believed that the home would be taking in more less fortunate children since it could accommodate 25 children but was currently occupied by 16 children aged from primary school to secondary school.
“It is, however, up to their management,” she said, adding that there were needy and impoverished children that could be accommodated in such establishments.
The Woori Jib was established seven years ago and initially housed five orphans. Now they accommodated 16 children, all girls, from impoverished families in villages in Ranau, Menggatal, and Tambunan. Timpangah, Sugud Penampang, and Papar, among others.
In the home, they were taught housework and assigned responsibilities.
They hoped to build a home for boys in the future on their 4-acre land.
The house is managed by priests Lawrence Kim and Andrew Kim, both from Korea. Two housemothers, a cook, and a driver help with the management.
