Chan (right) handing over the donation boxes to Som at Wisma Harapan in Kuala Lumpur. — ONG SOON HIN/The Star
EIGHTEEN months ago, over 40 donation boxes were placed in Jom ke 3M Mini Market Meraya chain stores across Klang Valley to raise funds for Selangor and Federal Territory Association for the Mentally Handicapped (SAMH).
At the end of July, the project initiated by Luan Seng Brothers Trading Co raised RM30,000 from public donations.
The handover ceremony of the donation boxes was held at Wisma Harapan in Kuala Lumpur, with students, teachers and the association’s board members in attendance.
It was then followed by a spirited dance performance by the centre’s students.
During his opening speech, Luan Seng Brothers director Chan Yin Kitt said RM8,800 came from e-wallet payments, while the rest was from cash and the company’s contributions.
“Our company has been actively involved in fundraising activities for the past 15 years, where we have helped raise funds for deserving and underprivileged organisations.
“We sincerely thank all of our patrons for their invaluable support.
“It is through your generosity and belief in our mission that we are able to make a tangible difference in the lives of deserving and underprivileged communities.”
SAMH president Datin Som Roslan said, “Most of the families and students here are under the B40 category, and some of them are even single mothers, so we always have to go out of our way to look for sponsorships.
“It’s very tough for the school to run, especially with rising costs, and fundraising has also been very challenging,” she said.
“We need to create more awareness so that people who don’t know about the school can understand and help out.”
Som said public assistance could also be in the form of services.
“Physiotherapists can help us out by simply offering their services at our school because our students really need that,” she added.
First established in 1964, SAMH is a non-governmental organisation that currently serves around 200 children and adults with various learning disabilities including autism, Down Syndrome and cerebral palsy.
The association offers four programmes catered to support individuals aged between six and 74 years old. It has two centres – in Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur, and Klang.
Its Early Intervention Programme caters to children six years and below and the Special Education Integration Programme is for students ages seven to 17 years.
The Vocational Training Centre and the Sheltered Workshop are designed for individuals aged 18 and above.
SAMH general-secretary Dr Nik Nazli Nik Ahmad said the school allowed students to learn, work and socialise in a safe and welcoming environment.
“In this environment, they feel that they’re among similar people, and it’s a good place for them to get that sense of familiarity.
“Depending on volunteer availability, sometimes the students go for yoga, art, horse riding, swimming and bowling.
“After going through special education, they can do vocational training and work at our sheltered workshop.”
According to Dr Nik Nazli, these programmes and activities help students have a sense of purpose and boost their self-esteem.
“We even have a student who has been with us since the age of six. Now he’s 58 and working at our office,” she said.
The association also launched a fundraising campaign to raise money for extensive repairs to the roof at its Klang centre.
To achieve its goal of RM150,000, an event called “The Roof Raisers’ Run” will be held next month to help raise awareness.
For more information about the run, call 03-2274 1457/75.
