Japan Embassy provides recycling jobs for the disabled

Japan Embassy provides recycling jobs for the disabled

Hafizah Hoze Rizal

 

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010 10:56:00

ALL-ROUND GOOD: Wheelchair-bound Matthew Seow, 33, and Katrina Low, 25, discarding waste into the recycle bin at the Pandamaran Chinese Methodist Church in Port Klang yesterday. — Pic: SALHANI IBRAHIM

PORT KLANG: More recycling bins will be installed in Klang town as the Embassy of Japan has donated 50 recycle bins to the Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled (Beautiful Gate) yesterday.
The handing-over ceremony, held at the Pandamaran Chinese Methodist Church, was officiated by Japan's Ambassador to Malaysia, Masahiko Horie and witnessed by Selangor State executive councillor Ronnie Liu and Beautiful Gate chairman Boh Che Suan.
Horie said the recycle bins came under the Embassy of Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects Scheme.
"We find this meaningful as it offers job opportunities to the disabled. Not only that, through this, we are indirectly encouraging the public to recycle more often," he said.
"We want the public to develop the value of the 3Rs, which is reduce, reuse and recycle. It is crucial to practice the 3Rs as our natural resources are disappearing fast."
Beautiful Gate has been actively involved in recycling activities since 2007. Last year, they submitted a proposal to the Japanese embassy in order to expand the recycling activities and were granted RM155,000 on March 11 this year.
Beautiful Gate executive director Sia Siew Chin said: "Most of the disabled are jobless, so we started the recycling activities in 2007. Through such activities, the disabled are able to gain job experience. At first, it was pretty hard to encourage people to recycle. But now, many understand the importance of recycling."
A resident at Beautiful Gate, 32-year-old Lau Meng Hung, expressed his gratitude over the recycling activities.
"I have tried finding jobs but many rejected me as I am disabled. But through these recycling activities, I have gained a lot of experience such as knowing how to sort the materials accordingly," said Lau, a Sarawakian who has been living at the foundation's home for three years.
Another resident, 27-year-old Lim Chow Tee was ecstatic when asked how she felt.
"I am very happy. The foundation has helped me a lot," said Lim, who is disabled due to an accident.
"We feel appreciated when we are involved in such activities. We may not be educated, but we can learn to expand our working skills."
Beautiful Gate was founded in 2003 and established its first home in Petaling Jaya. Subsequently, more homes were set up in Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Malacca.