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WE WALK BY FAITH NOT BY SIGHT

History of the Home in Chronological Order

St. Nicholas’ Home sprang from two medical missions of the Diocese namely Malacca Medical Mission (1911) and St. Andrew’s Medical Mission, Singapore (1913).  Seven to eight crippled and blind children, otherwise normally were kept on in the hospitals because their own homes were unsuitable or their parents did not want them to return.  However, for sometime it was felt that this arrangement was not good, and that these children needed a home of their own apart from the hospitals.

Year 1 – 10

On 10th September 1926, the first home under the charge of Miss May Satchell was officially opened by the Resident Councillor of Malacca.  This consisted of a Malay style house in the Hospital compound in which there were two dormitories and a room for the superintendent.  The long corridor by the side of the house was used for meals, school, play etc., but in 1929 it was found possible to rent a house at Klabang so that the home became quite separate from the Hospital.

Miss Sherman took over the charge of the home in 1930 and in 1931 it was moved to Penang and the 16 children were housed in “Byfrons” in Scotland Road where they remained until 1938.  During this time Miss Sherman built up the excellent traditions which are to be found in the Home until today.  The Rev. Keppel Garnier as Chairman of the committee took a big share in the work, helped by other committee members and many friends.

St. Nicholas’ Home in 1926

Year 11 – 20

A generous gift from Lord Nuffield in 1938 enabled the committee to buy six acres in Bagan Jermal Road and to make necessary alterations to the existing buildings and there the home has been since.

The Management who had decided in 1927 to provide a safe and happy home and provide education for the blind and crippled children of all races and creed in Malaya pressed on their work and started a kindergarten for 28 blind in 1941.  In the same year an extension known as a “cottage” was added.

Three classrooms were built in 1952.  It was realized at this stage that if the children were to receive permanent benefit the emphasis must be on education.

A 10 year plan was formulated in 1954 to build more accommodation and increase facilities.  However, this was completed in 3 years by a very generous grant from Social and Welfare Lotteries Board.

Year 31 – 40

The enrollment rose to 74 children in 1959 and a complete Primary School for the Blind was in session.

An experiment was started in 1960 to integrate four blind pupils in sighted secondary schools.  The Integrated Programme was adopted two years later on a national level by the Ministry of Education.  As a result, many Ex-Nicolites have gone through University and are even employed as professionals.

The Ministry of Education recognized St. Nicholas as a special residential school in 1961 which qualified for partial financial assistance on a more regular and generous basis.

An adjacent block of semi-detached houses was bought in 1964 for an Occupation Center for Blind Women.  It now caters for men as well.

Year 41 – 50

The Board embarked on a Development Plan in 1967.  Work began on the buildings in 1969 with the laying of the Foundation Stone on 29th December by Y.T.M. Tunku Abdul Rahman, the First Prime Minister of Malaysia, who had most generously promised a Government grant of up to RM200,000 on a dollar-for-dollar basis.  Local and International support produced a further RM250,000 which enabled the new complex to be declared open by the Governor of Penang, Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah on the 6th of November 1973.  Included in the additional facilities is a Talking Book Library.

Full time After-Care Service was implemented in 1970.  A few years earlier it was carried out on a part time basis.

Year 51 – 60

A swimming pool was built by the Lions Club of Georgetown in 1976.

Rural Training programme was started in 1975 under the care of an Ex-Nicolite, Yusoff bin Abdul Rahman (partially sighted).

The Lions Club of Georgetown added a small Paddling Pool to the Swimming Pool in 1976.

The workshop for adult blind was started in 1979.

The Pilot project for the New Curriculum for Primary Schools was implemented in St. Nicholas in 1981. Also the Low Vision Centre was opened.

The Newscast programme was started in 1985.

The swimming pool & paddling pool

Year 61 – 70

The Rehabilitation Service for the rural blind in Kedah was launched in 1986.

RM40,000 was raised by having a Walkathon in 1989 under the chairmanship of Y. Bhg. Datin Lucy Arulanandom.

On the 1st of March 1993, Computer Education for the blind was started.  On the 15th of May the same year the Eye-Donation Scheme was launched.

The Home for the elderly blind was started in 1995.

The senior citizens residing in St. Nicholas’ Home.

Year 71 – 80

The Deaf/Blind Programme started with the support of Hilton Perkins USA in 1996.

On the 30th of April 1997, the primary school which was fully sponsored by the Ministry of Education moved to a new premise at Alma, Bukit Mertajam.  The Deaf/Blind Programme became a residential programme with 7 children.

The Vision and Mission Statement was adopted in 1998.

Computer Education was upgraded in 1999 with the donation of 15 computers and softwares by the Rotary Club of Tanjong Bungah.

The Massage Training Centre was started in 2002 with 2 instructors and 12 trainees.

The first family camp for deaf/blind and multi-handicapped children with the theme “One Voice One Vision” was launched in 2003 by Y.B. Dato’ Dr. K. Rajapathy.  Also launched was the 5-year Strategic Plan for the Home.

A Team Building Workshop was conducted for the first time for 2 days in November 2004 by Asia Works which was fully sponsored by Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation.

Jabatan Kebajikan donated 35 braillers and 80 white canes on 29th October 2005 officially presented by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Amat Berhormat Dato’ Seri Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi.

The Samsung Eyes IT Laboratory  sponsored by a USD 50,000 grant from Samsung Malaysia (M) Bhd. was officially officiated by the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Tan Sri Dr. Koh Tsu Khoon on the 8th of December 2005.

Nicol David, the ambassador for Samsung Malaysia and Samsung Malaysia officials visiting
the Samsung IT Lab during the soft launch

DeafBlind trainees going through sign language lessons