37 trainees on vocational training programmes, including one from the Deaf, Blind and Multi-Handicapped programme as well as 5 children from the Early Intervention Programme (EIP) had completed their training and were awarded their Certificate of Completion and Certificate of Achievement respectively.

The staff and volunteers’ appreciation dinner was held at Royal Chulan Hotel in Georgetown on 6th of December 2019. Our Chairman Rev Charles Samuel and General Manager David Chiang presented long-services awards to staff for serving between 5 and 30 years at the home.

A beautiful, sunny day for a picnic for trainees and staff by the public swimming pool area. A fantastic cascading water pool but the trainees didn’t get to stay long for a swim. Unfortunately, the visit was shortened because a troop of hungry monkeys came looking for food, bags were ransacked and food was snatched, terrified picnickers had to pack and leave.

National Council for the Blind Malaysia (NCBM) organised this biannual Sport Day meet for members and representatives from five blind organisations in Malaysia. The 3-day sporting event was held in MAB, Kuala Lumpur from 15 to 17 November.

World Sight Day is an annual awareness event to focus global attention on blindness and visual impairment. It is held on the second Thursday of October. St. Nicholas’ Home Penang organized the World Sight Day celebration with the theme of “Vision First” on the 17th of October 2019 from 8.00am to 12.30pm in St. Nicholas’ Home Penang.

White Cane Day is a national observance in the United States, celebrated on October 15 of each year since 1964. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.

Trainees and staff participated in the Penang Peace Run 2019. This run themed “Unity in Diversity” was organized by Service Civil International (SCI) and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) on 18th of September 2019. The trainees much enjoyed trying to outdo each other to be first over the finishing line!

The annual charity food carnival was held on 7th of September 2019 from 9.00am to 2.00pm in St. Nicholas’ Home, Penang. The event was started after an open ceremony by YB Phee, Chairman Rt. Rev Datuk Charles Samuel, Board members and General Manager. There were a total of 60 stalls offering fresh food stalls and along with two petting zoo stations this year.

We were grateful to have Mr. Jerry conducted a pastry workshop every Wednesday in August 2019. He guided our trainees through step by step demonstration of techniques in making bread, cake and cookies. His class received full attendance.

Penang adventist Hospital and St. Nicholas’ Home Penang had joined forces for a project on Free Cataract Surgery for the needy patients in 2018 and the project has seen great results in helping the needy patients.