PADAWAN: Efforts are currently being mustered to establish “Pertubuhan Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPPDK) Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap”, a community-based rehabilitation (CBR) centre at Teng Bukap in Padawan which is just over 60km or an hour’s drive from Kuching City.
The efforts are made by one George Young Si Record Junior, a 52-year-old man from Kampung Quop (also Kampung Kuap), Off Km 16, Jalan Kuching-Serian. He and his team want to improve the lives of people with disabilities/special needs living in Padawan and Serian.
Their immediate and very substantial hurdle, however, is the dilapidated building where they want to base the centre. The former two-storey semi-detached government quarters at Pekan Teng Bukap is in dire need of major repairs.
Thus, George, who is the chairman of PPPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap, said they are seeking public support to meet the repair cost, rehabilitation equipment, office furnishing, fixtures and fittings, etc.
Registered with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) on November 29 last year, PPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap is aimed at serving villages in Padawan and Serian. Currently 21 are being served.
“PPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap is inviting the public to help realise sustainable development for the equalisation of opportunities for a beneficial, purposeful life (Hidup) and social inclusion that is friendly, cheerful and comforting (Mesra),” George explained.
“We appreciate everyone’s support in making a difference in the lives of those in need by supporting PPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap through contributions and sponsorship.”
He said their generous contributions and support are very much appreciated as they are crucial to the success of the project, adding that the public can help by giving donations and providing voluntary service in the field of education, vocational training, professional healthcare, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, etc.
“Together with the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry, CBR Network Malaysia, Malaysian Council for Rehabilitation and Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), PPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap is inspired to improve the equalisation of opportunities and social inclusion to ensure that people with disabilities in the target area become assets to the nation,” said George.
George said PPDK Hidup Mesra Teng Bukap stands ready and committed to helping people who have impaired vision, hearing and speech; those with learning disabilities; people who are physically and mentally challenged; those with Down syndrome, autism, abnormal limbs, and other challenges.
He said 20 people with disabilities have been registered at Teng Bukap Clinic as of November 2018. They are physically challenged with one having impaired hearing, one has impaired vision, and six suffer cerebral palsy.
CBR was initiated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) following the Declaration of Alma-Ata in 1978 in an effort to enhance the quality of life of people with disabilities by meeting their basic needs and ensuring their inclusion and participation in mainstream society.
Implemented through the combined efforts of people with disabilities, their families and communities, the strength of CBR programmes is they can be made available in rural areas with limited infrastructure.
