Disabled with a message of hope

Story and photos by GEETHA KRISHNAN

RESIDENTS of Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled believe they have a special calling in life – to use their disability to encourage others.

This was the message delivered by Beautiful Gate executive director Sia Siew Chin at the press conference to announce the Light Up the World with Love charity concert and dinner at the Summit Hotel, Subang Jaya on Wednesday.

She said the numerous challenges in modern society led some into depression while 2,500 people were reported by the media to be on the verge of suicide daily. Sia added that the disabled hoped to encourage others to carry on with life despite the challenges they faced.

“One of the ways to relay the message to society is through the performing arts and Beautiful Gate hopes that much can be achieved through staging the Light Up the World with Love charity concert,” she added.













Disabled people from Beautiful Gate performing to the Macarena song at the press conference.

More than 700 guests are expected to attend the concert that will take place at 7.30pm on Nov 27 at the Ballroom of Summit Hotel. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting will be the guest of honour.

The organising committee is targeting to raise RM100,000 through the event. According to Sia, the operation costs of Beautiful Gate’s four centres and two homes total, on average, RM50,000 monthly.

Joining Beautiful Gate in the foundation’s latest fund-raising effort are Meda Inc, Lifelong Learning and Sin Chew Jit Poh.

Present at the press conference were Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, Kelana Jaya Wanita MCA chief Ong Chong Swen, Meda Inc CEO Ong Bok Siong and event organising chairman Ng Wee Chiew.

Beautiful Gate was established in 1993 and houses 75 residents in its two homes in Balakong. More than 1,000 non-residents go to its four centres throughout Peninsular Malaysia to pick up skills in order to be self-sufficient.

“The Beautiful Gate Career Development Centre for the Disabled in Petaling Jaya teaches non-residents computer skills, English, book-keeping and the basics of starting their own business. At present, some of those who attend the centre sell newspapers at night,” said Sia.

Those suffering from severe spinal cord injuries go to the Beautiful Gate Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled in Kepong for rehabilitation activities. The Beautiful Gate Educational Centre for the Disabled is based in Kampar while the Beautiful Gate Arts Centre for the Disabled in Seremban teaches craft.

“We hope to set up the Beautiful Gate Caring Centre for the Disabled in Malacca to equip the disabled with special independent living skills. The plan is to train personal assistants who would help the disabled work or perhaps operate their own businesses.

“With the help of Datuk Lee, we hope to set up a centre in Subang Jaya to offer career opportunities as it is an industrial area,” Sia added.

Tickets for the charity concert and dinner are available through donations of RM1,000, RM500 and RM100. For more information, call the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled at 03-7873 6579.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/11/19/central/12614894&sec=central