Poor Malaysian children benefiting from a Church-run tuition center’s services may soon find vocational training provided for them free of charge as well.

The Traders Hotel in Penang is currently discussing with Bright Sparks Centre for the Development of the Whole Child the possibility of sponsoring skills training for these students after they leave school.

Although this is still in its planning stage, “this project will mean Bright Sparks children will now have … a basic living skills program professionally organized to prepare them to enter a vocation on completion of their secondary education,” said Bright Sparks director Gerard Robless.

The center, run by the Penang Office for Human Development of Penang diocese, was set up in December 2004 to help poor and underprivileged children develop holistically.

Forty-five students aged seven to 16, many from a Church-run orphanage, come three times a week to be tutored in English, Malay and mathematics by seven volunteers, mostly retired teachers.

Bright Sparks must continue to help its students develop in self-confidence and self-discipline, said Robless, otherwise “their chances of catching up with their peers … will be greatly handicapped.”

The center, located in the compound of St. Francis Xavier Church, also has
a branch at Immaculate Conception Church where computer courses are offered in addition to other academic subjects.

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ML10327.1609