JOHOR BARU: DISABLED does not mean unable. This is the message that Kiwanis CareHeart Centre (KCHC) principal, Koh Guan Hoe, wants to convey to change the mindset of the people, including parents of children with special needs.
By making more aware that the disabled are able to work given the proper training, encouragement and environment, more youths with special needs will have better opportunities to contribute to the community.
KCHC provides youths aged 12 and above with vocational training to equip them to live more independently and enjoy a better quality of life.
With a wealth of experience in special education, Koh, 77, is the driving force behind the KCHC teachers, staff, parents support group and volunteers.
A teacher specialising in special education trained in institutions in Singapore and the UK, Koh retired in the mid-1990s, but his passion for special education led him to establish three special education schools in Singapore and two schools for the hearing-impaired in Johor Baru.
There being no special education schools in Johor Baru at the time, parents were compelled to send their children to Singapore.
In 1999, supported by parents and well-wishers, Koh and a team of volunteers set up KCHC in Taman Sentosa, here.
In the early years, the centre relied on a few retired teachers trained in education for the hearing-impaired. It later engaged teachers who were qualified in psychology.
As more parents recognised the work KCHC was doing, three buildings in Taman Sentosa were rented to accommodate the large number of trainees.
By 2008, it was obvious that KCHC required bigger and better premises to carry out its various training programmes for the ever-increasing number of trainees.
Through a community effort supported by technical professionals and property developer, Tanah Sutera Development, KCHC moved into its new premises in Taman Sutera Utama in 2011.
KCHC’s official opening on Nov 10, 2013 was a proud day as it started a new chapter in social services.
A new school curriculum was developed that progressed from purely academic to one that was more practical to provide vocational training.
The objective is for every trainee to ultimately gain open employment and be integrated into the community. This is also in line with KCHC’s aim to be a premier skills training institution that develops youths with special needs to their fullest potential so that they can lead dignified, fulfilling and independent lives.
“We apply different approaches for different candidates,” said Koh about how youths with autism, Down Syndrome, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other common leaning disorders are first evaluated before being accepted for a probationary period of a month.
Some 60 trainees are now registered for various programmes from Monday to Friday, from 9am to 4pm.
Punctuality is essential and trainees are neatly attired in the KCHC polo T-shirt, trousers and covered shoes.
The training process can be slow and progress gradual but with professional and dedicated training, trainees can be guided to perform simple tasks and given responsibilities.
Vocational training programmes include horticulture, food and beverage services, recycling, janitorial work and handicraft-making.
Trainees are also involved in income-generating projects such as mushroom farming, nursery gardening, organic fruit and vegetable growing, and fish and prawn rearing on the centre’s farmyard. The products are sold at the centre and the KCHC stall on level 4, Sutera Mall on weekdays.
KCHC also collects recycled items for the trainees to restore for resale at the Thrift Shop. Besides office paper, cardboard, metal cans, plastic containers and soft toys, the public are invited to donate useable pre-loved items.
Trainees enjoy a holistic education and are encouraged to cultivate an interest in the arts. They can learn to play music, draw, paint and make handicraft which is displayed in the Kiwanis International Art Gallery or sold at the Thrift Shop.
As a voluntary welfare organisation, KCHC depends solely on donations and public funds to cover its operational costs.
It also organises a Family Day, golf tournament and charity dinner annually to raise funds.
KCHC is also in need of volunteers. Visitors are welcome by appointment. For enquiries, call 07–556 3743, email careheart_jb@yahoo.com or visit www.kwnsentosa.com.
KCHC is at 5, Education Hub, Jalan Persisiran Sutera Danga 1, Taman Sutera Utama, Skudai.