Senior citizens and the blind celebrate World Elderly Day

The senior citizens took to the stage to showcase their talent with singing sessions.

MORE than 150 visually impaired and senior citizens celebrated World Elderly Day at the Malaysian Association for the Blind.

“Although the actual date is Oct 1, we were not able to hold it then and moved it to November instead,” said Society of the Blind Malaysia (SBM) Kuala Lumpur/Selangor chairman Rosnah Ahmad.

“We wanted to use this opportunity for the elderly and those with disabilities to come together,” she said.

The event was organised by the Society of the Blind Malaysia (SBM) Kuala Lumpur/Selangor and Social Welfare Department Malaysia (JKM).

Rosnah said they wanted to help the community with donations as most of them were unemployed or unfit to support themselves.

The senior citizens also entertained the crowd as they showcased their talent with singing sessions.

“I would also like to thank JKM and the other agencies for their sponsorship and donation for this event, with McDonalds providing us food and to those who contributed to the gifts and goodie bags.” Rosnah said.

Rosnah said JKM was committed in helping SBM with donations every year by donating RM5,000.

“The collaboration between SBM and JKM is a strategic partnership and with that, we encourage other NGOs to do the same thing,” said JKM chief senior assistant director Fatimah Zuraidah Salleh.

Fatimah said they are doing this event in the best interest of the disabled and they appreciated how the new government was helping the community.

“With the recent budget announcement in Parliament, the government wants to enhance the services for the disabled.

“We also want to encourage the community to come together and help those in need,” she said.