KUCHING: More Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) volunteers are welcome in Sarawak to provide assistance in childcare centres, programmes and teacher training, says Minister for Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
She said due to Sarawak’s large geographical landscape, having more than one volunteer would certainly be beneficial to the teachers and children.
“Jaica has been sending volunteers to Malaysia, specifically Sarawak, because it is so big.
“It would be preferable to add more volunteers to come to Sarawak, that way through the collaboration of Jaica volunteers and the state government, we can also understand the strengths and weaknesses.”
She was speaking to the media after a site visit to the Sentuhan Kasih Kuching Community-based Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) on today (May 11) with Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Japan, Atsushi Karimata.
Fatimah also said Jaica volunteers had proven to be valuable after a previous volunteer who was sent to Agape Centre in Sibu, invented a Cerebral Palsy (CP) special chair for the children there.
“The volunteer left behind a legacy and up till today, the volunteer is still remembered.”
Therefore, she emphasised the importance of empowering people with disabilities (PWD), particularly children.
“We can empower them through vocational training, we want them to be able to stand on their own one day.
“We want them to take care of themselves, to live in the next generation, through education, through supporting their abilities, and have income generating abilities.”
Meanwhile, Atsushi said he was impressed with the state government’s family empowerment and integration for supporting the children and their families.
“Today I’m here for a visit because Takahashi Akira is working here (as a volunteer), and contributing to the Sarawak welfare service.
“I’m very impressed with his contribution, I hope Takahashi’s contribution will cause good synergy with the Sarawakian people.
“I’m sure, he has found new things here, inspired by the Sarawakian effort and I hope his knowledge will also cause good synergy for creating new services and the people of Sarawak to come to this facility.”
Sentuhan Kasih Kuching Community-based Rehabilitation Centre (PDK) currently has 73 students.
Also present during the visit was Sarawak Social Welfare Department (JKMS) director Adana Jed.
