By Joseph Then
SERIAN — Tadika Juara of St Joseph’s Convent received a government grant of one million Ringgit from UNIFOR presented by ADUN (Semuja) YB Tuan John Ilus, on 30 October 2021. Among those present to receive the grant were the Headmistress of the kindergarten Sr Jane Mbang, a Director of the New Kindergarten Building Fundraising Committee Dr Kiu Chiong Ching, and Sr Flora.
Dr Kiu Chiong Chin was very happy and thankful to UNIFOR and many of those who had helped in one way or another to raise funds for the new building. Well-known architect Mdm Ivy Jong was invited by the Committee to plan for the whole project and agreed for free.
Since its establishment in 1957, St Joseph’s Convent has been serving the community including the needy children and orphans under the care of the late Mother Veronica Lee in the 1970s.
A home-based Nursery was started around 1974, to help with the care and education of the young children both sent by the Social Welfare Department as well as from the local community. In 1998, the Maternity Home ceased its operation and evolved into a kindergarten.
The kindergarten which occupies the existing Maternity Home building has been registered as Tadika Juara with the Education Department since 2002. All these years, the daily running needs and maintenance of the school buildings are sourced and managed by their own congregation.
The demand for enrolment to Tadika Juara has increased over the years. With the encouragement of the local community and benefactors, the Franciscan Sisters decided to extend their current premises to cater for the increasing demand. The current premise is becoming inadequate for the religious Sisters and the qualified teachers to provide a holistic and contemporary education. As such, a new building project is planned.
Financial contributions and donations are welcome and can be made via the following: By cheque payee to Sister of St Francis of Sarawak (Tadika Juara) or Direct bank transfer to the registered Maybank Account no. MBB: 5 11235 010157. To ensure proper issuing of receipts for contributions/ donations, please kindly identify full-name and personal contact details via transaction reference and/or email notification to alopez389@gmail.com.
