Kiwanis to train volunteer therapists from Semai Bakti

Star: PETALING JAYA: Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation (KDSF) has agreed to accept volunteers from Semai Bakti to be trained as physiotherapists and occupational therapists.
KDSF president Lee Kuan Yong said details on the training programmes for the volunteers would be worked out soon.
Earlier, Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti) deputy president Datin Paduka Seri Rosmah Mansor had requested that the foundation extend its training programmes to Semai Bakti, a community rehabilitation project organised by Bakti and Gabungan Wawasan Generasi Felda.
Rosmah made the request in her speech before launching the Physiotherapy (PT) and Occupational Therapy (OT) Programmes of the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation-National Centre. She also donated RM20,000 on behalf of Bakti.
“I am happy that they are willing to share their resources with us,” Rosmah said, adding that there were 47 Semai Bakti centres throughout Malaysia.
YTL Corporation Bhd managing director Tan Sri Dr Francis Yeoh contributed RM200,000 to the PT and OT facility.
An anonymous donor gave RM200,000 through Health Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek while Maurice and Wendy Goon donated RM10,400.
The KDSF-National Centre which moved from Jalan Gasing to Taman Sea late last year, has 160 children below six years old.
KDSF National Centre chairman Tee Han Cheong said the PT and OT programmes had proven to improve the physical development and learning ability of children with disabilities in other parts of the world.
“We are taking a step forward by integrating physical and sensorial activities in the teaching curriculum,” he said.