KUCHING: Disabled people living in rural and remote areas are often neglected, but not in the case of those living in 22 villages in Padawan district near here.
Thanks to Habitat for Indigenous and Urban Programme (Hidup), a non-governmental organisation which established a community-based rehabilitation centre (PPDK) Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap in Padawan to cater to the needs of people with disabilities in the area.
PPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap, located approximately 60 km from Kuching is currently occupying a temporary premises to provide therapy to 42 trainees until its own building situated nearby has been renovated.
Its chairman George Young Si Ricord Junior said there are 22 surrounding villages serviced by Teng Bukap Health Clinic and those with disabilities will be sent to PPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap to undergo various therapy programmes.
Registered in 2018, he said Hidup aimed to inculcate a spirit of giving and creating awareness to make a difference in their own lives and the soul of the recipients.
“Hidup’s main objective is to assist in enhancing the lives of indigenous and urban poor through outsourcing of labour and/or rendering financial support and to extend our hands to the less privileged regardless of race, creed or religion,” he said.
George said the centre has now registered 42 trainees with symptoms ranging from mentally challenged, impaired speech, Down syndrome, autism, impaired learning, cerebral palsy and other challenges.
He explained that the centre provides various rehabilitation programmes and activities including nervous system simulation, physical therapy and exercise, occupational therapy, rudimentary motor skills, cognitive development, music and movement and many more such programmes to enhance their daily living skills.
On the new centre, he pointed out that the Covid-19 pandemic and the movement control order (MCO) has somehow delayed the completion of the restoration works.
He said renovation of the dilapidated building which took off last year, is already 85 per cent completed and the building is expected to be ready soon.
He said the restoration cost is estimated at between RM100,000 to RM120,000 and they had received donations from well-wishers for the project, with Church of Early Days Saint and Kiwanis International Club as the main donors.
As such, George hoped that members of the public, the local corporate sector and government agencies would generously contribute to fund the renovation project and to purchase the necessary facilities for the centre.
On its future programmes, George said they are still undecided due to the RMCO, adding that they actually planned to organise talks with other NGOs on the impact of the order on children, parents, issues of depression and others.
During the MCO, Hidup also did its part by donating food aid to targeted groups.
Hidup’s activities can be followed on their Facebook page, ppdkhm teng bukap, and they can be reached at 0111 8990528/0111858 0528. – Bernama
