Enabling The Disabled
舞动生命的色彩
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Saturday, March 1, 2008
A job to call their own
Chinese radio station AI FM and CIMB have paved the way for the disabled to become deejays.
By SHOBA MANO
One of the biggest challenges facing the disabled is their integration into society.
As Thomas Yeoh, one of the 12 disabled students who have completed a speech training course at the Voice Academy in Kuala Lumpur, says, “People sometimes donate money, wheelchairs and hearing aids, but what we really need are jobs.
Loving work: Pua Ghin Chu, 25, (centre) Low Mee Li, 40 and Yeoh Kee Soon, 45, (left) work as deejays at AI FM.
“Nobody wants to live off charity the rest of his life. Holding a job gives us a sense of pride, self-worth and purpose,” says the 45-year-old, who has been wheelchair-bound for the last two years because of muscular dystrophy.
“I worked as a draughtsman until I became confined to a wheelchair. So now I have to learn other skills to obtain a job that I can do in spite of my disability,” says Yeoh, who along with course mates Ivy Pua Ghin Chu, Low Mee Li, 32, and BGF director Sia Siew Chin, 46, have been offered stints as deejays with RTM’s Chinese radio station AI FM.
Pua, a care and employment co-ordinator at Beautiful Gates Foundation for the Disabled (BGF) in Petaling Jaya, says the speech training course was conducted in Mandarin and focused on pronunciation and how to use voice more effectively.
Pua became disabled at 16, after surgery to remove a blood clot from her spine.
“Most physical disabilities do not affect a person’s mental faculties. Yet, a high percentage of the disabled are uneducated due to society’s poor acceptance of them, especially in schools.
“The infrastructure in schools is also not disabled-friendly. Moreover, many teachers and students don’t understand the difficulties faced by the disabled or don’t treat them with respect, which is why a large number drop out. The more educated members of the disabled community are usually those who became disabled later in life, after having obtained their tertiary education,” Pua points out.
Pua and her three compatriots will helm a programme for the disabled in April, thanks to an initiative by CIMB Bank Berhad, which sponsored their course and approached AI FM to broach the idea.
Undergoing voice training.
They recently hosted two Chinese New Year 2008 Specials on NTV7’s Chinese language programme called Finding Angels.
“The bank doesn’t just hand over sponsorship money, but believes in working with its beneficiaries to obtain the expected results,’’ says CIMB head of Community Link and CIMB Elements, Johnny Yong.
“This involves a lot of time and commitment. For instance, we had to convince the Voice Academy to enrol disabled students. We also spent a lot of time encouraging the disabled to take the course.”
According to AI FM programme manager, Ng Leng Leng, 40, the station pondered over the idea of disabled deejays after being approached by the bank.
“It’s the first time we are engaging disabled deejays. When I attended the graduation ceremony at Voice Academy, I heard Sia saying she wanted the public to know how the disabled felt, and not what the public believed they felt.
“Sia also said the disabled are victims of social prejudice rather than their disabilities. I was so moved by what she had said that I decided to have a radio programme by the disabled, for the disabled,” recalls Ng.
The programme format will include sharing diary entries and daily experiences. The disabled will be encouraged to submit short stories within 100 words. The winning entry will be read on air and receive a prize sponsored by CIMB.
“We will also discuss some basic dos and don’ts that the able-bodied can observe when interacting with the disabled. For example, one should not immediately lift a disabled person who has fallen down,’’ says Thomas.
“He should first squat and ask if the fallen person is hurt and what help he requires. Be sensitive to the type of disability when attempting to help the person. Don’t force a person with cerebral palsy to hold a pen, because he is not able to do so. We will also discuss the proper way to push a wheelchair, especially when going up an escalator or down a steep ramp,” says Thomas.
Ng says the station is excited about the show but notes that the facilities in their own building are not disabled-friendly.
“We have to carry the disabled deejays over one flight of stairs to the broadcasting room, which does not comfortably accommodate wheelchairs. The deejays are also not able to reach all the switches and still need able-bodied people to help them with the console. These are real-life problems, which the disabled can easily overcome if the infrastructure is built to suit them,” she says.
Ng thinks it’s a shame the disabled are being deprived of jobs they can quite easily do simply because of infrastructural problems. She hopes other companies, too, will think about the issue and consider providing employment opportunities for the disabled.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/3/1/lifeliving/20236908&sec=lifeliving
By SHOBA MANO
One of the biggest challenges facing the disabled is their integration into society.
As Thomas Yeoh, one of the 12 disabled students who have completed a speech training course at the Voice Academy in Kuala Lumpur, says, “People sometimes donate money, wheelchairs and hearing aids, but what we really need are jobs.
Loving work: Pua Ghin Chu, 25, (centre) Low Mee Li, 40 and Yeoh Kee Soon, 45, (left) work as deejays at AI FM.“Nobody wants to live off charity the rest of his life. Holding a job gives us a sense of pride, self-worth and purpose,” says the 45-year-old, who has been wheelchair-bound for the last two years because of muscular dystrophy.
“I worked as a draughtsman until I became confined to a wheelchair. So now I have to learn other skills to obtain a job that I can do in spite of my disability,” says Yeoh, who along with course mates Ivy Pua Ghin Chu, Low Mee Li, 32, and BGF director Sia Siew Chin, 46, have been offered stints as deejays with RTM’s Chinese radio station AI FM.
Pua, a care and employment co-ordinator at Beautiful Gates Foundation for the Disabled (BGF) in Petaling Jaya, says the speech training course was conducted in Mandarin and focused on pronunciation and how to use voice more effectively.
Pua became disabled at 16, after surgery to remove a blood clot from her spine.
“Most physical disabilities do not affect a person’s mental faculties. Yet, a high percentage of the disabled are uneducated due to society’s poor acceptance of them, especially in schools.
“The infrastructure in schools is also not disabled-friendly. Moreover, many teachers and students don’t understand the difficulties faced by the disabled or don’t treat them with respect, which is why a large number drop out. The more educated members of the disabled community are usually those who became disabled later in life, after having obtained their tertiary education,” Pua points out.
Pua and her three compatriots will helm a programme for the disabled in April, thanks to an initiative by CIMB Bank Berhad, which sponsored their course and approached AI FM to broach the idea.
Undergoing voice training.They recently hosted two Chinese New Year 2008 Specials on NTV7’s Chinese language programme called Finding Angels.
“The bank doesn’t just hand over sponsorship money, but believes in working with its beneficiaries to obtain the expected results,’’ says CIMB head of Community Link and CIMB Elements, Johnny Yong.
“This involves a lot of time and commitment. For instance, we had to convince the Voice Academy to enrol disabled students. We also spent a lot of time encouraging the disabled to take the course.”
According to AI FM programme manager, Ng Leng Leng, 40, the station pondered over the idea of disabled deejays after being approached by the bank.
“It’s the first time we are engaging disabled deejays. When I attended the graduation ceremony at Voice Academy, I heard Sia saying she wanted the public to know how the disabled felt, and not what the public believed they felt.
“Sia also said the disabled are victims of social prejudice rather than their disabilities. I was so moved by what she had said that I decided to have a radio programme by the disabled, for the disabled,” recalls Ng.
The programme format will include sharing diary entries and daily experiences. The disabled will be encouraged to submit short stories within 100 words. The winning entry will be read on air and receive a prize sponsored by CIMB.
“We will also discuss some basic dos and don’ts that the able-bodied can observe when interacting with the disabled. For example, one should not immediately lift a disabled person who has fallen down,’’ says Thomas.
“He should first squat and ask if the fallen person is hurt and what help he requires. Be sensitive to the type of disability when attempting to help the person. Don’t force a person with cerebral palsy to hold a pen, because he is not able to do so. We will also discuss the proper way to push a wheelchair, especially when going up an escalator or down a steep ramp,” says Thomas.
Ng says the station is excited about the show but notes that the facilities in their own building are not disabled-friendly.
“We have to carry the disabled deejays over one flight of stairs to the broadcasting room, which does not comfortably accommodate wheelchairs. The deejays are also not able to reach all the switches and still need able-bodied people to help them with the console. These are real-life problems, which the disabled can easily overcome if the infrastructure is built to suit them,” she says.
Ng thinks it’s a shame the disabled are being deprived of jobs they can quite easily do simply because of infrastructural problems. She hopes other companies, too, will think about the issue and consider providing employment opportunities for the disabled.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/3/1/lifeliving/20236908&sec=lifeliving
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
美食中心新春送溫情
殘障者免費吃18天
姚長祿（站者）慰問殘障人士是否吃得飽，並祝他們新春快樂。
（吉隆坡12日訊）美食中心與美門殘障中心讓殘障人士免費吃飽飽，今日起至本月29日，殘障人士可免費用餐。
甲洞星光嶺孖柒美食中心聯袂美門殘障中心舉辦這項免費用餐活動，歡迎殘障人士來用免費餐。
逾千殘障人士受惠
單是甲洞，就有逾200名殘障人士，這項活動相信可讓逾千殘障人士受惠。
殘障人士可在孖柒美食中心營業時間內，即清晨5時至凌晨一時，到該處檔口選擇他們所愛的食物，免費用餐，以過一個豐富的金鼠年。
聯邦直轄區部政務次長拿督姚長祿今早也受邀為“新春歡樂吃飽飽”主持開幕儀式。
出席者包括孖柒美食中心東主楊敏錦、美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞及約40名殘障人士等。
不計較活動開銷
楊敏錦指出，本身是秉持“取之社會，用予社會”的精神來舉行這項公益活動，以減輕殘障人士的日常飲食費。
“這項活動已進入第4個年頭，往年的回應相當熱烈，今年在大事宣傳下，相信會吸引更多來自甲洞以外地區的殘障人士前來參與。”
他披露，殘障人士一切費用都由該美食中心負擔，雖然已連續舉辦多年，但該中心不曾計較出錢多寡，也不曾去計算每年活動開銷。
“今年我們獲得市政局配合，批准我們在美食中心外數個泊車位搭建帳棚，讓殘障人士有舒適地方吃東西。”
此外，今早起，陸續有多名殘障人士到美食中心用餐，由于平時經濟能力有限，吃不起價格較昂貴的西式早餐，因此，這次免費用餐時，大部分殘障人士都愛選用西餐。
直轄區部將撥款
美門獲地經營花圃
謝秀貞（前左起）分發錦旗給楊敏錦及姚長祿，感謝兩人幫忙及關心。
聯邦直轄區部政務次長拿督姚長祿指出，市政局已批准美門殘障中心在甲洞衛星市美嘉斯杜雅路一塊空地上，經營花圃生意。
他說，美門殘障關懷基金會在該路擁有數間屋子，這些屋子前有一塊寬20呎、長80呎的空地。
“這塊地坐落大路旁，若不發展就十分可惜，直轄區部將撥款讓美門關懷基金會設立花圃的基本構造，其他則交由殘障人士自行打理。”
他指出，市政局這次作出明智決定，讓殘障人士有自力更生的機會，多一條出路賺取生活費，利惠這些需要社會更多關注的一群。
他今日為“新春歡樂吃飽飽”活動主持開幕禮時，在會上向公眾傳達這項好消息。
他說，殘障人士殘而不廢的精神十分可嘉，在面對缺陷時依然積極生活，設立花圃會是他們做生意的大好機會。
他也即場宣佈捐款1000令吉給該基金會作為活動經費。
謝秀貞：行善回饋社會
孖柒美食中心好榜樣
姚長祿（蹲者右）慰問一名行乞的老人。
美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞指出，孖柒美食中心積極行善，值得其他商家仿傚。
她說，殘障人士可以自力更生，靠自己的能力謀生，惟也需要社會人士關懷。
“這項活動為殘障人提供長達18天的免費食物，大大減輕他們的飲食費用。甲洞一帶有約200名殘障人士，歡迎他們前來參與。”
她指出，這項活動已舉行過3次，當時沒宣傳，但反應尚算不錯，今年經過宣傳，相信會有更多殘障人慕名而來。”
“目前，從我們在甲洞的中心，至電動火車站及佳世客購物中心的殘障人士特別走道提升工程已完成。”
她披露，美門關懷基金會位于甲洞的殘障中心將于本月18日（星期一）傍晚6時，在甲洞峇魯中學舉行新春活動，並已邀請國內事務部副部長拿督陳財和出席。
“我們將在活動上為殘障人士籌募一些購置醫療用品的費用，如尿袋及藥物等，歡迎公眾踴躍出席。”
姚長祿：工作未完成
冀留守旺沙瑪朱
旺沙瑪朱國會議員拿督姚長祿來屆大選要守土，逐一完成未完成的工作。
他今日表達希望繼續守土的意願，他說，在這裡（旺沙瑪朱）還有一些工作未完成，希望可繼續留守，一一完成各項工作。
“我還需要3年時間完成一些工作。”
姚長祿也是聯邦直轄區部政務次長，他今日到選區拜訪選民，受詢及大選去留問題時，這么說。
他披露，這些工作包括在翠湖園落實一間華小，並希望可在第一期籌募建校基金中，獲得600萬令吉。
“第二是在本區內建一座大型民眾圖書館，以提升市民讀書風氣。”
他說，第3個工作是在該區建一座迷你運動中心，計劃目前已有眉目，地點定在翠湖園。
指官官相護論欠公平
應查明真相才批評
聯邦直轄區部政務次長拿督姚長祿指出，蕉賴區國會議員陳國偉應在查明真相及持有證據下，才作出批評。
他對于陳國偉指說政府官員“官官相護”而深表遺憾，並非議對方為搞新聞而發出不實的指責。
他針對日前在半山芭引發的疑有市政局官員在新春期間，向小販收取30令吉紅包一事，在記者會上如是回應陳國偉的指責。
“我們在平日絕不容許有任何市政局人員作出違例的事，更何況是在新年期間？”
他指出，陳國偉應在了解真相，找出證人，證明確實有市政局人員向他人牟取錢財，才下定論。
他說，本身昨日聯同市政局執法組主任前往半山芭了解情形，卻被陳國偉指說官官相護，令他十分氣憤。
“不是每個市民的投訴都可當成證據，他這樣做，難免帶有小人之心，輕率為他人定罪。”
活動資料
地點：甲洞星光嶺孖柒美食中心
地址：NO.53 Jln. 3/36 Taman Bukit Sri Bintang, Kepong．
日期：2月12日至29日
營業時間：清晨5時至凌晨1時
食物種類：西餐、中餐，各種面類及飯類煮炒等。
註：殘障者可前往享用，惟不鼓勵打包。
摘自：中国报．China Press
姚長祿（站者）慰問殘障人士是否吃得飽，並祝他們新春快樂。（吉隆坡12日訊）美食中心與美門殘障中心讓殘障人士免費吃飽飽，今日起至本月29日，殘障人士可免費用餐。
甲洞星光嶺孖柒美食中心聯袂美門殘障中心舉辦這項免費用餐活動，歡迎殘障人士來用免費餐。
逾千殘障人士受惠
單是甲洞，就有逾200名殘障人士，這項活動相信可讓逾千殘障人士受惠。
殘障人士可在孖柒美食中心營業時間內，即清晨5時至凌晨一時，到該處檔口選擇他們所愛的食物，免費用餐，以過一個豐富的金鼠年。
聯邦直轄區部政務次長拿督姚長祿今早也受邀為“新春歡樂吃飽飽”主持開幕儀式。
出席者包括孖柒美食中心東主楊敏錦、美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞及約40名殘障人士等。
不計較活動開銷
楊敏錦指出，本身是秉持“取之社會，用予社會”的精神來舉行這項公益活動，以減輕殘障人士的日常飲食費。
“這項活動已進入第4個年頭，往年的回應相當熱烈，今年在大事宣傳下，相信會吸引更多來自甲洞以外地區的殘障人士前來參與。”
他披露，殘障人士一切費用都由該美食中心負擔，雖然已連續舉辦多年，但該中心不曾計較出錢多寡，也不曾去計算每年活動開銷。
“今年我們獲得市政局配合，批准我們在美食中心外數個泊車位搭建帳棚，讓殘障人士有舒適地方吃東西。”
此外，今早起，陸續有多名殘障人士到美食中心用餐，由于平時經濟能力有限，吃不起價格較昂貴的西式早餐，因此，這次免費用餐時，大部分殘障人士都愛選用西餐。
直轄區部將撥款
美門獲地經營花圃
謝秀貞（前左起）分發錦旗給楊敏錦及姚長祿，感謝兩人幫忙及關心。聯邦直轄區部政務次長拿督姚長祿指出，市政局已批准美門殘障中心在甲洞衛星市美嘉斯杜雅路一塊空地上，經營花圃生意。
他說，美門殘障關懷基金會在該路擁有數間屋子，這些屋子前有一塊寬20呎、長80呎的空地。
“這塊地坐落大路旁，若不發展就十分可惜，直轄區部將撥款讓美門關懷基金會設立花圃的基本構造，其他則交由殘障人士自行打理。”
他指出，市政局這次作出明智決定，讓殘障人士有自力更生的機會，多一條出路賺取生活費，利惠這些需要社會更多關注的一群。
他今日為“新春歡樂吃飽飽”活動主持開幕禮時，在會上向公眾傳達這項好消息。
他說，殘障人士殘而不廢的精神十分可嘉，在面對缺陷時依然積極生活，設立花圃會是他們做生意的大好機會。
他也即場宣佈捐款1000令吉給該基金會作為活動經費。
謝秀貞：行善回饋社會
孖柒美食中心好榜樣
姚長祿（蹲者右）慰問一名行乞的老人。美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞指出，孖柒美食中心積極行善，值得其他商家仿傚。
她說，殘障人士可以自力更生，靠自己的能力謀生，惟也需要社會人士關懷。
“這項活動為殘障人提供長達18天的免費食物，大大減輕他們的飲食費用。甲洞一帶有約200名殘障人士，歡迎他們前來參與。”
她指出，這項活動已舉行過3次，當時沒宣傳，但反應尚算不錯，今年經過宣傳，相信會有更多殘障人慕名而來。”
“目前，從我們在甲洞的中心，至電動火車站及佳世客購物中心的殘障人士特別走道提升工程已完成。”
她披露，美門關懷基金會位于甲洞的殘障中心將于本月18日（星期一）傍晚6時，在甲洞峇魯中學舉行新春活動，並已邀請國內事務部副部長拿督陳財和出席。
“我們將在活動上為殘障人士籌募一些購置醫療用品的費用，如尿袋及藥物等，歡迎公眾踴躍出席。”
姚長祿：工作未完成
冀留守旺沙瑪朱
旺沙瑪朱國會議員拿督姚長祿來屆大選要守土，逐一完成未完成的工作。
他今日表達希望繼續守土的意願，他說，在這裡（旺沙瑪朱）還有一些工作未完成，希望可繼續留守，一一完成各項工作。
“我還需要3年時間完成一些工作。”
姚長祿也是聯邦直轄區部政務次長，他今日到選區拜訪選民，受詢及大選去留問題時，這么說。
他披露，這些工作包括在翠湖園落實一間華小，並希望可在第一期籌募建校基金中，獲得600萬令吉。
“第二是在本區內建一座大型民眾圖書館，以提升市民讀書風氣。”
他說，第3個工作是在該區建一座迷你運動中心，計劃目前已有眉目，地點定在翠湖園。
指官官相護論欠公平
應查明真相才批評
聯邦直轄區部政務次長拿督姚長祿指出，蕉賴區國會議員陳國偉應在查明真相及持有證據下，才作出批評。
他對于陳國偉指說政府官員“官官相護”而深表遺憾，並非議對方為搞新聞而發出不實的指責。
他針對日前在半山芭引發的疑有市政局官員在新春期間，向小販收取30令吉紅包一事，在記者會上如是回應陳國偉的指責。
“我們在平日絕不容許有任何市政局人員作出違例的事，更何況是在新年期間？”
他指出，陳國偉應在了解真相，找出證人，證明確實有市政局人員向他人牟取錢財，才下定論。
他說，本身昨日聯同市政局執法組主任前往半山芭了解情形，卻被陳國偉指說官官相護，令他十分氣憤。
“不是每個市民的投訴都可當成證據，他這樣做，難免帶有小人之心，輕率為他人定罪。”
活動資料
地點：甲洞星光嶺孖柒美食中心
地址：NO.53 Jln. 3/36 Taman Bukit Sri Bintang, Kepong．
日期：2月12日至29日
營業時間：清晨5時至凌晨1時
食物種類：西餐、中餐，各種面類及飯類煮炒等。
註：殘障者可前往享用，惟不鼓勵打包。
摘自：中国报．China Press
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Doing the Cha Cha
(from left) Datin Seri Wendy Ong, wife of MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting, Wanita MCA chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen, Wanita MCA committee members Datin Rosalind Lee, and Datuk Kian Sit Har dancing with members of the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled in Petaling Jaya on Monday.
Twenty-seven of the residents received Wanita MCAsponsored wheelchairs.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/2/6/central/20249729&sec=central
Monday, January 14, 2008
Paralysed woman makes CNY baskets for home
chris@thestar.com.my
WHEELCHAIR-bound S. Thanaletchumy, was overjoyed when she received her first order for Chinese New Year baskets and flower arrangements.
It was a happy moment for the 24-year-old, who is fondly known as Chitra, when a few local folks decided to place orders for her products after seeing her works in Port Klang recently.
“I don’t know what to say, I just want to thank them for their support. This is my first job after a bad road accident three years ago,” said the former factory worker.
Chitra became paralysed from waist down after her motorbike collided with a car when she was returning home after work.
She said she had been learning flower arrangement from a volunteer at the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled in Petaling Jaya since May last year.
Special skill: Thanaletchumy decorating a basket of mandarin oranges and cookies with flowers.
“It is challenging to make the flowers look nice and balanced in an arrangement. It takes a lot of practice. I’m so grateful for the opportunity given to me and I want to be able to work to help the home and others,” she said.
Life has not been easy for Chitra after the accident.
“Many things changed after I lost the ability to walk, including the confidence to go on with my life. I felt worthless because I could not do anything but stay at home, eat and sleep,” she said during an interview.
Chitra, whose parents passed away when she was young, said that after being depressed for about two years, she woke up suddenly one day realising that she wanted to a new chance at life.
She started calling friends to help her find a job. One of her friends took her to the Beautiful Gate last year, where she found her purpose in life. Being the only Indian in the home, Chitra said she was glad to be treated as part of the family.
Chitra is currently studying English and computer in Life College and making flower arrangements on a part-time basis.
“I hope to be a florist and be independent one day,” she said.
Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director Sia Siew Chin said Chitra was the only trainee in the home learning flower arrangement currently.
“She has shown great interest in the handiwork and completed her course within three months.
“We are proud to see her so positive and optimistic now compared to her first few months in the home. She had low confidence and self-esteem,” she said.
Sia also said Chinese New Year baskets and flower arrangements were part of the handmade products produced by the disabled members of the foundation.
The handmade products are sold to raise funds to pay for part of the home’s activities, she added.
Those who are interested to buy the Chinese New Year baskets and flower arrangements can contact the foundation’s Klang branch at 03-3373 6094 or Kapar MCA youth at 03-3343 4461. The Chinese New Year baskets with cookies and flower arrangements are priced from RM100 to RM200.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/1/14/central/19961634&sec=central
WHEELCHAIR-bound S. Thanaletchumy, was overjoyed when she received her first order for Chinese New Year baskets and flower arrangements.
It was a happy moment for the 24-year-old, who is fondly known as Chitra, when a few local folks decided to place orders for her products after seeing her works in Port Klang recently.
“I don’t know what to say, I just want to thank them for their support. This is my first job after a bad road accident three years ago,” said the former factory worker.
Chitra became paralysed from waist down after her motorbike collided with a car when she was returning home after work.
She said she had been learning flower arrangement from a volunteer at the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled in Petaling Jaya since May last year.
Special skill: Thanaletchumy decorating a basket of mandarin oranges and cookies with flowers.“It is challenging to make the flowers look nice and balanced in an arrangement. It takes a lot of practice. I’m so grateful for the opportunity given to me and I want to be able to work to help the home and others,” she said.
Life has not been easy for Chitra after the accident.
“Many things changed after I lost the ability to walk, including the confidence to go on with my life. I felt worthless because I could not do anything but stay at home, eat and sleep,” she said during an interview.
Chitra, whose parents passed away when she was young, said that after being depressed for about two years, she woke up suddenly one day realising that she wanted to a new chance at life.
She started calling friends to help her find a job. One of her friends took her to the Beautiful Gate last year, where she found her purpose in life. Being the only Indian in the home, Chitra said she was glad to be treated as part of the family.
Chitra is currently studying English and computer in Life College and making flower arrangements on a part-time basis.
“I hope to be a florist and be independent one day,” she said.
Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director Sia Siew Chin said Chitra was the only trainee in the home learning flower arrangement currently.
“She has shown great interest in the handiwork and completed her course within three months.
“We are proud to see her so positive and optimistic now compared to her first few months in the home. She had low confidence and self-esteem,” she said.
Sia also said Chinese New Year baskets and flower arrangements were part of the handmade products produced by the disabled members of the foundation.
The handmade products are sold to raise funds to pay for part of the home’s activities, she added.
Those who are interested to buy the Chinese New Year baskets and flower arrangements can contact the foundation’s Klang branch at 03-3373 6094 or Kapar MCA youth at 03-3343 4461. The Chinese New Year baskets with cookies and flower arrangements are priced from RM100 to RM200.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/1/14/central/19961634&sec=central
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Sin Chew Daily's “Love Without Borders” CNY Cards
For the second running, Sin Chew Daily launched its “Love Without Borders” Chinese New Year charity greeting cards.
The public can now buy these cards from Sin Chew Daily, Shuang Fu (Double Blessing) Disabled Independent Living Association, Lovely Disabled Home and Petaling Jaya Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled for RM1 each.
Net proceeds will be shared among these charities. Deputy Managing Director and Group Editor-in-chief of Sin Chew Daily Siew Nyoke Chow said the “Love Without Borders” CNY greeting cards suit the local festive atmosphere. The cards can also be used as general purpose greeting cards.
"The cards can also be used as general purpose greeting cards. "
She added that one of her friends doesn't like to receive e-cards and will delete the e-cards whenever she got it. For her friend, E-cards are lacking sincerity and she treasures every paper greeting cards she receives.
The launch was attended by the General Manager of Sin Chew Daily Public Communication Department Liew Lian Seng, Deputy Chief of Sin Chew Daily Culture and Education Department Alice Tan, Operation Manager of Shuang Fu (Double Blessing) Disabled Independent Living Association Elaine Gan, administrator of Petaling Jaya Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled Low Mee Li, representative of Seremban Beautiful Gate Lee Keat Pau and Director of Lovely Disabled Home K.K. Lum.
The design of these cards are from the “Joyful Festival” drawing competition organised by Sin Chew Daily previously.
Student journalists from Xue Hai have also joined in the selling of “Love Without Borders” CNY greeting cards.
Sin Chew Daily invites companies and organisations to purchase the cards to assist the charitable groups. They can print their company name on the cards. A set of 5 cards are sold at RM5. Additional fee will be charged for company name printed.
For more information, please call Sin Chew Daily Culture and Education Department at 03-7965 8560. (Translated by LEE MEI NYEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
Source : Sin Chew
Thursday, January 3, 2008
支持“化礙為愛”賀卡
最近，婦女、家庭及社會發展部長拿督斯里莎麗扎在下議院提呈2007年殘障人士法案一讀，通過立法賦予殘障人士與平常人相同的各項利益，包括享有平等的教育和就職機會，以及使用基本設施、公共交通便利和醫藥福利的權利。是日，國內67個殘障團體和非政府組織的代表浩浩蕩蕩前往國會大廈，以示對該部提呈法案的支持。
在場的美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞則認為，由於新的殘障人士法案沒有清楚列明歧視殘障人士者是否將受到懲罰，令殘障社群感到擔憂，她表示，現有不少法令存在，往往因為沒有真正去執行而如同虛設。
換句話說，殘障人士迫切需要的是實際的資助和關愛。星洲日報在日前第二度推出“一元一卡獻愛心”活動。讀者們可向星洲日報、雙福殘障自強發展協會、愛心關懷之家以及八打靈美門職訓中心、芙蓉美門殘障藝術中心和甲洞美門殘障康復中心，購買“化礙為愛”農歷新年賀卡；以實際行動支持星洲日報貫徹“行有餘力，則以助人”的行善信念。
前年，筆者和身邊的多位朋友購買“化礙為愛”卡，寄給親友祝賀佳節，今年我們也會以上述賀卡向親朋戚友賀新年；讀者們通過星洲日報的愛心活動在歡慶新年當兒，協助殘障者關懷組織籌款，何樂而不為？ （星洲日報/溝通平台•讀者：黃懷樂•2008.01.03）
摘自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/article.phtml?artid=200801020483&data=scnews&spid=6826
在場的美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞則認為，由於新的殘障人士法案沒有清楚列明歧視殘障人士者是否將受到懲罰，令殘障社群感到擔憂，她表示，現有不少法令存在，往往因為沒有真正去執行而如同虛設。
換句話說，殘障人士迫切需要的是實際的資助和關愛。星洲日報在日前第二度推出“一元一卡獻愛心”活動。讀者們可向星洲日報、雙福殘障自強發展協會、愛心關懷之家以及八打靈美門職訓中心、芙蓉美門殘障藝術中心和甲洞美門殘障康復中心，購買“化礙為愛”農歷新年賀卡；以實際行動支持星洲日報貫徹“行有餘力，則以助人”的行善信念。
前年，筆者和身邊的多位朋友購買“化礙為愛”卡，寄給親友祝賀佳節，今年我們也會以上述賀卡向親朋戚友賀新年；讀者們通過星洲日報的愛心活動在歡慶新年當兒，協助殘障者關懷組織籌款，何樂而不為？ （星洲日報/溝通平台•讀者：黃懷樂•2008.01.03）
摘自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/article.phtml?artid=200801020483&data=scnews&spid=6826
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