Foundation presents MPV to centre for children with disabilities

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YAYASAN Sime Darby (YSD) recently donated a brand new Hyundai Starex to the Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Istimewa, Hulu Langat (PKKI) which will be used to transport children with varying disabilities from their houses to the centre.

YSD is not only sponsoring the RM138,000 multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) but is also funding the fuel and maintenance costs of the vehicle for a year, which amounts to RM15,600.

The sponsorship is in line with YSD’s commitment under its community development pillar to promote the well-being of the community, particularly those less privileged, irrespective of race, culture, religion, creed or gender.

Gift of mobility: Zaitoon (second from right) presenting the mock key to Tham. Looking on are Yatela (left) and Aishah.

YSD’s governing council member Datin Paduka Zaitoon Datuk Othman presented the mock key to the association’s president Shirley Tham at a special ceremony held at the centre in Taman Cuepacs, Cheras. Also present were Sime Darby Motors director of communications Datuk Aishah Ahmad and YSD chief executive officer Yatela Zainal Abidin.

In her speech, Zaitoon said the initiative began as a small project by YSD to assist charitable homes in and around the Klang Valley and PKKI was among those identified by YSD’s team after visiting several homes and carrying out research on their critical needs.

“The team reported the centre’s need for a new vehicle due to frequent breakdown of the PKKI van, which compromised the children’s safety.

“With the support of Sime Darby Motors division and the Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd, we are able to provide PKKI with a new MPV capable of transporting 10 children at one time. To ensure they are not burdened with maintenance and fuel costs, YSD is extending the donation to cover these expenses for a year,” she added.

PKKI currently carries out various programmes for 90 children — 43 boys and 47 girls — with varying disabilities including cerebral palsy, hyperactivity, autism, blindness, Down Syndrome and global developmental delay.

Zaitoon said it was disheartening that those who suffered from multiple diseases were unable to attend school.

“PKKI’s efforts are commendable and admirable as the staff members help these special children strengthen their physical and communication abilities,” she added.

Since 1995, PKKI has been a one-stop centre offering comprehensive programmes for special children including early intervention programme (EIP), pre-kindergarten classes for selected children, pre-vocational programme for children aged 10 and above, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy, gym classes to stimulate the senses of the more mobile students, physical and mental programmes to stimulate their brain functions and psychology sessions for those with behavioural problems.

PKKI uses individual and group teaching methods, incorporating music, arts and craft, along with other methods to enable the children reach their optimal potential.

PKKI Hulu Langat was established over 15 years ago by a group of concerned parents whose children could not make the cut to attend special schools. They started with a day training centre with 10 children, two teachers and a few volunteers with parents playing an active role in the centre’s daily operations.

Tham, who is one of the founders of the centre, said her only child, Steffi suffered from cerebral palsy and when she turned seven in 1995, no other institution nearby in Cheras would take her in.

She said when Steffi was born in 1988, she and her husband were told their daughter would not survive beyond her 10th birthday. Due to Tham’s efforts via the centre, she survived her 21st birthday but passed away in March last year.

The centre, which accepts children from two years old, has 11 teachers, four therapists, a gym instructor, a mental and physical instructor, driver and cook.