FROM embroidery and creative makeup artistry to confident strides on the catwalk, persons with special needs are showing that talent and creativity know no boundaries.
A special embroidery competition titled “Benang Inspirasi” gave them a chance to showcase their skills and artistic flair, while some took to the runway in a catwalk segment.
The event in Ipoh, Perak, also featured several children with Down syndrome from Selangor displaying their makeup skills, alongside stalls run by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) selling handicrafts, cookies and other products.
It was jointly organised by Sekolah Semangat Maju (SSM) Batu Gajah, and several NGOs such as Nala Duta Nusantara Malaysia Organisation, Continuous Learning and Sharing Society and a shop selling sewing and embroidery threads called Minkie.
Sekolah Semangat Maju is a special education institution managed by the Perak Association For Intellectually Disabled. There are a total of five such schools in Perak – Ipoh, Batu Gajah, Kuala Kangsar, Taiping and Sitiawan.
The event at Aeon Big Falim in Ipoh earlier this month was launched by Jelapang assemblyman Cheah Pou Hian.
Embroidery skills
SSM Batu Gajah chairman Ooi Kah Biew said the embroidery competition, believed to be first-of-its-kind for special needs students, aimed to give them an opportunity to show their skills that could eventually help them earn an income.
A total of 23 participants from five institutions, namely SSM Batu Gajah, SMM Ipoh, SSM Taiping, SMK Sultan Yussuf’s Special Education Integration Programme (PPKI) and Perak Women’s Economic Development Association took part.
The competition was held as part of efforts to raise funds to expand SSM Batu Gajah which currently has 25 students, with six more expected to enrol.
“The school currently has two classrooms, with each limited to 12 students under Education Ministry requirements.
“We need a third classroom, so this competition is also a fundraising effort for it.”
Ooi said the initiative was also aimed at giving the students, the majority of them being slow learners aged between 18 and 30, an opportunity to develop practical skills.
“Some of them are very good at embroidery, but there is no one to encourage them to do anything with the skill.”
For the competition, students were required to embroider a hibiscus flower design on T-shirts, rather than traditional fabric, to make the skill more practical and potentially marketable.
“If there is a corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme by a company, we can let students embroider the designs on the T-shirts, instead of just printing them.”
Ooi said the competition participants were given six thread colours and allowed to decide how they wanted to do their designs.
“The idea is to encourage them to use their creativity and decide which colours work well together.”
Besides embroidery, the students were also exposed to other creative skills, including balloon decoration, with the organisers engaging a trainer to teach them the craft.
Ooi added that all participants received a medal, certificate, goodie bag and cash.
He expressed appreciation to Perak executive councillor Datuk Salbiah Mohamed for contributing RM6,000 to SSM Batu Gajah for the programme and Batu Gajah MP V. Sivakumar for his continued support – comprising an annual contribution of RM5,000 and RM5,000 for the competition.
“Support such as this means a lot to us and inspires us to continue doing our best for our special needs children.”
Ooi also urged participants not to focus too much on winning or losing, but to try their best and enjoy the experience.
“You are all winners because you have the courage to showcase your abilities.”
Honing special talents
For the special needs participants, every stitch was more than just a piece of embroidery, it was an expression of creativity, patience and confidence.
Among them was 19-year-old Nor Aisyah Amirnorashid from PPKI SMK Sultan Yussuf, whoenjoys creating embroidery designs of houses and cakes, as well as other colourful motifs.
“I tried my best in the competition and used a mixture of red, blue, yellow and green threads to create the hibiscus.”
Another participant, Nurul Afifah Ahmad Suhaimi, 24, from SSM Batu Gajah, enjoys creating embroidery pieces featuring flowers, birds and her favourite ‘Hello Kitty” character.
She became interested in embroidery after being taught by her teacher.
“I like making embroidery. My teacher draws the designs and I will do the sewing.”
For 14-year-old M. Amysha from SSM Ipoh, the experience was especially exciting as it was her first time taking part in an embroidery activity of this kind.
“I like embroidery. I usually do it at home, so I was excited to take part.”
Ahmad Danial Mohd Mazlan, 23, also from SSM Batu Gajah, loves creating embroidery products, particularly designs inspired by nature.
“I always make them at school. I like making flowers, leaves and trees.”
Makeup as a vocation
Also at the event were nine Down syndrome individuals from Selangor who proved that makeup artistry can be more than a hobby, as they took their first steps towards turning their skills into a vocation.
The nine makeup artists, who are in a group known as “Empowering Beauty” aged between 14 and 32, were invited to work on performers at the event, marking their first public appearance as makeup artists.
The nine attend make-up classes under a collaborative project between Sunway College, Stylo Fashion Design Technology, Sub International Beauty School and the Association of Parents and Alumni of the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation (Alumni KDSF).
Empowering Beauty coordinator Joyce Teoh Lay Bee said the programme aimed to empower special needs individuals by giving them the opportunity to develop new skills and build confidence.
Teoh, who is also one of the founding members of Alumni KDSF, said the programme initially started to equip the girls with independent living skills, including learning how to apply makeup.
“We wanted them to learn to put on makeup and look pretty, just like other girls their age.
“However, throughout the programme, they have shown us that they can take on bigger challenges. Today, they are able to apply makeup on others as well.”
Teoh said they initially practised applying makeup on themselves before progressing to friends and family members, who were invited to the classes to help participants hone their skills.
Teoh’s daughter, Sabrina Teoh Webber, 18, was among the participants.
Sabrina said she was excited to see her friends doing makeup together with her.
“This is my first big project. I usually practise applying make-up on myself, and enjoy experimenting with colourful eyeshadow like pink, orange and brown.”
Another participant, Law Yee Lynn, 19, has been learning makeup for about a year.
Focusing on applying blusher and lipstick, she worked on two people for the event.
For 14-year-old Megann Tan, the activity was an opportunity to do something she enjoys while gaining confidence and making new friends.
The Year Nine student at an international school usually practises putting makeup on herself once a week.
“This is my first time taking part in a large-scale project.
“I normally put on makeup for my mother when she needs to attend an event.”
Catwalk confidence
Three students from SMK Sultan Yussuf’s PPKI took part in the catwalk event.
For 13-year-old Nur Aina Humaira Mohd Amri, it was a chance to showcase her creativity and confidence.
She was excited to walk the runway in an outfit inspired by the Jalur Gemilang.
“I like dressing up. This is my first time taking part in a catwalk,” she said.
Her schoolmate Nur Sofea Ilyana Mohd Salim Amin Zaini, 17, also enjoyed her first catwalk experience, appearing as a Puteri Perak dressed in a yellow kebaya.
“I felt beautiful and was excited to take part,” she said, adding that she had practised the day before.
Fellow student Meor Saffwan Meor Amran, 15, took on the character of Hang Tuah for the event.
He said he had previously participated in catwalk activities at school. The students were guided by their teacher Yusniza Yunus.
Besides that, several kindergarten pupils from SSM Batu Gajah and SSM Ipoh also took part in the catwalk dressed as a firefighters, police officer, dinosaur, chef and in casual and traditional outfits.
Nurturing talent
Cheah in his speech said the competition provided a platform for the participants to showcase their talents, creativity and build self-confidence.
He said the initiative also highlighted the importance of giving people with special needs opportunities and support to develop their potential.
“Every child has unique abilities that deserve to be recognised and nurtured.
“A single thread may seem small, but when woven with patience and creativity, it can produce something beautiful.
“The same goes for our special needs children. Each of them has abilities and potential.”
He said the courage to learn, try and create something on their own was an achievement in itself.
He also expressed appreciation to teachers, parents and guardians for their continued guidance, love and support.
Cheah hoped programmes such as the competition would continue to be expanded to foster a more inclusive and caring society.
