Bandar Seri Begawan - The First Lady of Vietnam, Madam Mai Thi Hanh made a courtesy visit to Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Al-Hajjah Maryam in Bengkurong yesterday. Upon arriving at the centre, she was welcomed by the Executive Trustee of Pusat Ehsan, Pg Datin Hjh Noraini PDNLDR Pg Hj Abd Momin.

During the hour-long visit, the First Lady was briefed about the centre and also toured the Rehabilitation Section, Pre Vocational Classes, the Early, Middle and Upper Classes, the Handicraft Section and the Multi-Purpose Hall, where she had the opportunity to see a performance by the special needs children at the centre.

The purpose of the visit was to explore one of the non-government organisations in Brunei Darussalam - a centre for educating, training, caring and providing rehabilitation services to special needs children - and to get to know the special needs children at the centre.

Pusat Ehsan is a non-government and non-profit organisation that provides quality education, training, care and rehabilitation services to special needs people in the country. At present, there are 136 people with special needs registered at the centre in Bengkurong and 34 special needs children at the Kuala Belait branch.

Pg Datin Hjh Noraini, Executive Trustee of the centre in her welcoming speech said the centre was pleased with the warm relationship Brunei enjoys with Vietnam. She said the Vietnam Embassy in Brunei Darussalam recently participated in the centre's fundraising activities such as its annual charity bazaar. She also hoped for continued support from the Vietnamese Embassy in any future endeavours.

Madam Mai Thi Hanh also presented gifts and donations to the centre, which was received by Pg Datin Hjh Noraini.

Meanwhile, the First Lady ofVietnam also made a similar visit to Kampong Ayer, to the residence of the Penghulu of Mukim Tamoi and took a river cruise along Sungai Brunei. On hand to welcome her on arrival at the BSB Waterfront in the capital were Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Hj Awg Halbi bin Hj Mohd Yussof, the Acting Minister of Home Affairs and wife.

Also present at the event were the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, the BruneiMuara District Officer and the Chairman of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, as well as officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs.

At the residence of the Penghulu of Mukim Tamoi, Madam Mai Thi Hanh witnessed local cultural performances, local handicrafts and the making of traditional cakes.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin