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21 September 2008

PENANG: The Rotary District Governor of District 3300, Dr Rajindar Singh accompanied by President, Dato Chet Singh and Rotarians of the Rotary Club of Penang, made a visit to Lighthouse Drop-in Centre on Sept 3.

On hand to greet them were Eustace Nonis and Gerard Robless from the POHD Board of Management and Manager of Lighthouse, Belevendiran.

Lighthouse Drop-in Centre commenced operations on March 19, 2003 and is a place where the homeless and hungry can come to have a meal while availing themselves of other basic services such as medical attention, toilet facilities, counselling and  jobs placement.

The DG and the visitors from the Rotary Club were first taken on a tour of the facilities, and were briefed on how the clients of Lighthouse were received and cared for. The clients are mainly the marginalised and poor, irrespective of race, from the City. Lighthouse provides bathing facilities and through its volunteers, counselling and friendship. Through support from the Catholic Church and well-wishers it feeds between 90-100 clients twice daily five days a week. Food is prepared, cooked and served by its volunteers. A Clinic is run where medical attention is given twice a week by a volunteer Doctor.

Robless and Nonis further briefed the Rotarian visitors on the workings of  Lighthouse and its extensions in Lightworks and St Peter’s Home. The Rotary DG, Dr Rajindar, explained that Rotary’s theme for the year was to Make Dreams Real especially in the areas of literacy, water health and hunger. It was impressed with what Lighthouse is doing in this regard and promised that the Rotary Club of Penang will look into ways and means how they can contribute and assist Lighthouse in continuing this good work.

The Lighthouse Drop-in Centre, a project of the Penang Office for Human Development (POHD) is situated at 52K Penang Road, where the Church of St Francis Xavier (part of City Parish) is located.

— By Lucia Lai

The Rotary Club members with POHD Board of Management (2nd right & 2nd left)

Last changed: Oct 31 2008 at 9:20 AM