Family Literacy Month, celebrated every November, marks a time to address parent and child literacy and recognize the fundamental role of family involvement in lifelong learning. Pusat Ehsan recognized the importance of this special event especially for people with special needs.

Pusat Ehsan celebrated Eid al-Adha by holding a Korban distribution ceremony at its premises last 30th November. Muslims from all over the world celebrates Hari Raya Aidiladha, the sacrificial offering ceremony and the equal distribution of sacrificial meat amongst Muslims in the community especially for the less fortunate.

Eid al-Adha (عيد الأضحى‎), known locally as “ Hari Raya Aidiladha or Hari Raya Korban” is a feast celebrated by Muslim worldwide to commemorate the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. Eid al-Adha annually falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة). It occurs the day after the annual pilgrimage (Haj) to the holy city of Mecca by Muslims worldwide.

Hj Mahrub Hj Murni, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office was present as guest of honour to distribute the Korban meat. Around 200 staff and Pusat Ehsan student and their family members attended the ceremony.

To mark the opening of BIBD At-Tamwil Berhad’s branch in Kuala Belait, BIDB organized a charity walkathon for three charitable institutions, namely Pusat Ehsan, KACA and Smarter Brunei.

The Minister of Energy, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (Retired) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awang Haji Mohammad bin Haji Daud led the walkathon to raise funds for the mentioned organizations. There were 400 individuals including BIBD At-Tamwil Berhad officers and staff convene to support the charity walk that starts at Billionth Barrel Monument and ended at the Oil and Gas Discovery Centre in Seria.

As the Prague Chamber Orchestra echoed harmonious music of great masters like Mozart and Strauss in Brunei International Convention Centre; this event, that was organized by NBT has also echoed its love for charity as the proceed where handed over to two charitable organization including Pusat Ehsan.

Know as Toyota Classic 2009, the event is annually organized by NBT that features great talents of world renowed ensembles, adept maestros and classical singers. In its 15th year, the NBT Toyota Classic featured Prague Chamber Orchestra under the baton of maestro Charles Oliveri-Munroe.

Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah graced the performance and presented the donations. Policy and Planning Trustee, Haji Ahmad Bin Haji Rahman received the cheque donation worth BND 36,000 on behalf of Pusat Ehsan.

The Toyota Classic with its "resounding beat for local charity" as the NBT(Brunei) Managing Director, Ninan Chacko stated in his welcoming remarks is a tantamount objective of what Pusat Ehsan mission is: to echo the love and care for people with special needs.

 (Photo courtesy of Brunei Information Department)

Pusat Ehsan celebrated teachers' day to commemorate the hardwork, patience, perseverance and love that transpired throughout the year for people with special needs.

In this special occasion, the teaching and rehabilitation staff commune together, to give each one the credit for their valuable contribution in bringing the best of every student's potential. Their altruistic devotion makes Pusat Ehsan a one of a kind care centre for special needs in the country.

Members of the Board of Trustees attended the meaningful gathering, in recognizing the influential role that every teachers have on the students. Special educators are like a beacon of light that guides people with physical and intellectual disability to a more productive and fullfilling life.

The event was kindled with surprise presentations from each department. Songs, dance performances, exciting games and "fun-recognition awards"
where among the programs that coloured the afternoon celebration.

Pusat Ehsan is delighted to announce the opening of its new branch in Belait district. This building provides an inspirational new environment for special needs around the community.

Pusat Ehsan Kuala Belait branch at lot 274 Jalan Maulana was designed and reconstruct to meet the needs of people with different disabilities.

The school is now in operation with an initial eleven students, all with Down Syndrome. According to the school coordinator, Dyg Haminah, there are more than 60 enthusiastic children and young adults with various disabilities that are interested to register.

With the opening of the new branch, the next goal in mind is to advocate the students needs and capabilities. Aiming to provide comprehensive range of intervention and support, which includes a focused instruction in core academic areas, social skill development, vocational skill development, improving health and fitness and acheiving highest independence of all students.  

The Management is optomistically looking forward to enhance the Belait branch services and programmes to cater for more students. Acquiring more teaching staff, appropriate equipment and material will have to undertake before taking more student to ensure service excellence.

Twenty-seven units of the latest Panasonic Envio e-ion Air Purifying System Inverter model, an environment friendly and bacteria-eliminating air range of conditioners were donated to the centre.

In the wake of the current outbreak of Influenza A (H1N1), the Panasonic Envio e-ion Air Purifying System inverter Model helps to keep the air clean and healthy for the special members at Pusat Ehsan as it is capable of eliminating 99 per cent of bacteria in the air. The management of AEC Sdn Bhd is concerned about the risks of unhealthy air to the children thus the company took the initiative to donate these state of the art and environment friendly air conditioners to ensure that Pusat Ehsan would be a much safer centre for the children to spend their day in.

The newly donated air conditioners will also save 50 per cent of energy consumption for Pusat Ehsan—reducing its electricity expenses. These air conditioners from Panasonic leads the way with "Eco Ideas" and encourages the use of environmental friendly gas namely the "R410".

Galvin Lai, Managing Director of AEC Sdn Bhd received a letter of appreciation from Hj Ahmad Hj Abd Rahman, the Policy and Planning Trustee of the Board of Trustees at the centre.

Mr Lai said that AEC Sdn Bhd is highly committed in continuously improving the environment for people with special needs.

The donated units are currently in use and have been installed at the start 3rd term of school at the centre, informed Head Of Administration, Hj Abd Maaruf. He expressed his gratitude to AEC Sdn Bhd for their humble generosity and their highly appreciated contribution

In an effort to fulfill its commitment towards community development, the BEDB (Brunei Economic Development Board) on the month of September extended a total of B$3150 in cash and cheque donations to Pusat Ehsan.

The donations were contributed by both the BEDB and SLA (Sungai Liang Authority) staff members as well as from their participation during the recent Pusat Ehsan Charity Bazaar.

Present to receive the donations on behalf of Pusat Ehsan was Dato Paduka Hj Mohd Alimin Hj Abd Wahab, Senior Trustee of Pusat Ehsan's Board of Trustees. The donations were presented by Pg Aki Ismasufian Pg Hj Ibrahim, Assistant Executive Officer and Head of Stakeholder Relations Division of the BEDB, who is also Advisor to the BEDB social recreation club, BLAST.

On 9th August 2009 , the BEDB through BLAST, participated for the first time in the Pusat Ehsan Charity Bazaar with the objective to support Pusat Ehsan's initiative and foster closer ties with the organization. Krystle Yau, Officer Legal and President of BLAST, said that "this experience had provided the staff helping out at the booth the opportunity to give back to a cause close to their hearts."

Pg Aki, in his statement, said that the BEDB would continue to seek opportunities in supporting community development activities not only around its projects but also those areas in which a growing need for this kind of support is required. "We would like to pave the way for our staff members to not only inculcate a culture of unity through a common cause but also to contribute to the welfare of the community", he said.

The BEDB is committed in helping individuals with special needs at Pusat Ehsan to get the education and rehabilitation that they needed. BEDB also pledges a helping hand to Pusat Ehsan on the next charity bazaar.

Pusat Ehsan received a $1,000 donation from HSBC Global Markets Department through the corporation's annual local heroes programme. HSBC Brunei Local Heroes is an organisation's recognition award identifying exemplary contribution of staffs from various departments. Through this it aims to recognized those employees and departments who have demonstrated the character and attributes most valued in a global organization.

Present at the event is HSBC's Corporate Sustainability Manager, Mr Lim Boon Teck. He mentioned to the press that "continuous commitment to service excellence has always been a key to the sustainability and success of the bank. The hardwork and commitment displayed by the staff members on a daily basis have made them our role models of the bank".

The team (department) that were voted winners by their colleagues bagged prizes, which included the coveted opportunity to donate to any local charities of their choice. Pusat Ehsan was priveleged to received donation from the Global Markets Department led by Ms Salyahrinah Yahya.

The cheque was presented to Hj Ahmad Hj Abd Rahman, member of Pusat Ehsan Board of Trustee. He stated that HSBC plays important role by bringing care to special needs with their continuing support and donation to the centre over the years.

A joint project that was organized recently by TelBru and GTE-Yellow Pages brought an inspiring endeavour and responsibility towards our environment and so to our community with special needs. The two prominent company in telecommunication donated to Pusat Ehsan what they have received from the sale of old directories to a recycle company. Such an admiring and one of a kind effort brought a total donation amounting to $2,000 in support to the centre.

The donation was handed to Pusat Ehsan on 19th of August by TelBru Corporate Affairs, Hjh Norliha Hj Abu Bakar and Yellow Pages (GTE-Directories) Managing Director, Mr. James Lee.

On hand to received the donation was the Executive Operation Trustee, Pg Datin Hjh Noraini, PDNLDR Pg Hj Abd Momin. Upon receiving the donation, she expressed her sincere appreciation and thanks to both companies for organising such an admiring project that brought generous donation to people with special needs.