Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Manasseh Maelanga handed over a total of $100,000 to two local charity organizations on Friday.
The funds were raised during the celebration of Malaysia’s independence day in Honiara on Wednesday.
Maelanga travelled to San Isidro Care Centre in Aruligho, North West Guadalcanal and the Christian Care Centre in East Honiara to donate the funds in person.
He first travelled to San Isidro Care Centre to present $50,000 to the centre’s headgirl, Lawrencia Love, in the presence of the centre’s founder, Br George, the centre’s principal and the student body.
In accepting the gift, Br George indicated to Maelanga that the centre has doubled its intake for 2016, making it a great challenge for them to accommodate an additional 25 new intakes.
Br George also commended Maelanga for the timely donation, which he said will go towards building a new permanent dormitory for the male students, who are currently living in thatched-roof houses.
With over 60 students to accommodate, the Centre’s administration is planning to complete the new dormitory building by 2017, and the funds will go towards achieving that target, Br George said.
He said the training Centre aspires to provide children living with disabilities a bright future, and so far, training on woodworks, carpentry and agriculture for boys, and home economics and agriculture for girl students administered by the centre has continued to equip the students with knowledge and skills to help them sustain their living after they leave the centre.
Similarly, a trip to east Honiara enabled Maelanga to present another $50,000 to the Coordinator of Christian Care Centre, Sr Phyllis Margaret Sau.
“It is through my heart that I decided to present your organization this donation to enable your to continue with the good work of supporting affected mothers and children,” Maelanga said.
On both occasions, Maelanga reiterated government commitment to continue support the institutions, adding the funds were raised only during a charity act on the celebrations of the Malaysian Independence anniversary on Wednesday night, but the government is still committed to continue to support the centres in the future.
A brief performance by the acting Prime Minister during the celebrations raised the total sum which was sponsored by the Malaysian Consulate in Honiara.
Maelanga decided to donate the proceeds to the two centres.