Established in 1926, the St Nicholas Home has been the beacon of hope for those with vision disabilities.

Due to the Movement Control Order (MCO), the home was closed for those who work and provide assistance and services for the needy community.

After 139 days since the MCO was enforced, the home opened its doors again to offer their classes and services yesterday (Aug 4).

The occasion also saw the launch of the Taska and Wellness centre.

Guest-of-honour was state exco for Welfare, Caring Society and Environment, Phee Boon Poh along with state assemblyman for Pulau Tikus, Chris Lee.

Also present was Dato Thyagarajah Govindasamy (St Nicholas Committee member), Kathireen Kalaivani (Board Member), Roy Chai (Treasurer St Nicholas Home) along with sponsors, Licole from Loccitane and Tan Kare Ting from Ticket2U.

The home’s general manager, David Chiang said that the occasion also served to launch their online fund raising project.

“Taska OKU St Nicholas equip children with various skills like eating and drinking on their own, dressing themselves and also toilet training and cleaning themselves.

“The curriculum also covers Braille numbers, Braille alphabets, mathematics, sensorial language, culture, music and movement,” said Chiang.

“This event is a new chapter for the home but we have to prepare for the worst and the worst has not come yet due to the pandemic.

“It is therefore vital to follow all the SOPs to maintain the Green Zone status in the state,” added Phee.

Guests were later taken on a tour of the facilities like the Taska and the Wellness centre.

From time to time, the home also gets local and foreign volunteers and interns to assist in their operations.

Those keen to offer help to the home can call 04-229 0800 to offer assistance or donations.