PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow commended the Salvation Army Penang Children’s Home for its longstanding charitable contributions.
In his speech during the Salvation Army Open Day in Logan Road today, Chow emphasised the vital role the organisation has played in shaping the lives of the underprivileged.
He described The Salvation Army Penang as a beacon of hope for children who have found themselves without the support of a stable family environment since its founding in 1938.
“For the past 86 years, The Salvation Army has provided a caring home, quality education, and loving guidance to many children who were unable to grow up with their own families.
“This shows that The Salvation Army has created a foundation for Penang’s children, offering them a safe place to be during challenging times,” said Chow.
He also highlighted how these efforts have borne fruit, with many former residents now thriving in their careers, raising families of their own, and giving back to their communities.
Chow cited the example of Penang Children’s Home manager Becky Lurence and former resident Shawn Murtthi, who now works to support children living in poverty in Banting, Selangor.
“Their stories, shared on The Salvation Army Malaysia’s social media channels, reflect the far-reaching impact of the organisation’s work,” he remarked.
Speaking about the programme, Chow said the event was held to raise funds for The Salvation Army to sustain its charitable initiatives, with a fundraising target of RM160,000.
The day’s activities featured various stalls offering a variety of foods, such as char koay teow, ice kacang, curry mee and satay.
Chow expressed his gratitude to The Salvation Army for its continued dedication to the community and wished them success in their mission.
He also announced the RM10,000 allocation from the state government to the Salvation Army Penang.
He also encouraged Penangites to contribute, emphasizing that every donation, regardless of the size, helps in making a difference in the lives of those in need.
Also present were The Salvation Army Singapore, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand Territory territorial commander Colonel Hary Haran, chief secretary Lieutenant-Colonel Nigel Cross, Malaysia regional officers Captain Andrew and Captain Fiona Lo, Malaysia public relations director Nigel Jones, national advisory board member John Lee, and Penang corps officers Lieutenants Royston and Audrea Remus.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat