I am deeply touched by the grace of God working in and through so many individuals, churches and companies that have rallied around this charity event to support the work we do with the refugee community in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

The monthly school fees collected come up to approximately RM20, 000.00 as operating income. With four lots and 10 full-time staff, our expenses come up to RM33,000.00 per month. With the generous giving by all of you and others in the past, Communitas is able to underwrite the RM13,000.00 monthly deficit for another year. Communitas is the NGO formed to help facilitate the education of the refugee community.

In 2023, we begin our secondary school with at least six (6) students going to Grade 7, or Form 1. In 2024, we will, by God’s grace, have twenty students in Grade 7. As we forge ahead with our secondary school, we are looking at the General Education Development or GED American-based high school equivalent qualification as the terminal point for our students.

The needs of CTC are plenty. The challenges numerous. We aim not only at providing education at a cognitive level but at the holistic world of the young person. This includes good morals and healthy spirituality leading to individuals who contribute in positively meaningful ways to themselves, their families, the society and the nation.

Much work needs to be done. We are looking to God who will work in and through all of you as you work with us to do this good work. We need mentors and coaches in skilled work like computer programming, creative design, drama, art and other vocational areas in order to build a sustainable ecosystem of livelihood for the refugee community. We also require advocacy workers who can highlight to the government and civil society, the unique contributions from the refugee community for nation building. We need your ideas, your knowledge and experience, as well as your unique perspectives to sustain and develop this good work.

Let me thank each one of you for turning up this evening. Let this evening be a time of great celebration and thanksgiving to God for His tremendous grace in protecting and providing for CTC all these 12 years. Let this also be a time when we will make new friends and help journey with one another in this very good work.

Soli Deo Gloria!