A helping hand to the disabled
PEOPLE with disabilities deserve the opportunity of a full life and to be a member of their community. Understanding the support that the disabled community needs, Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd (PAMB) and the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled have teamed up to provide support and empower the dreams of the disabled community.
With an awareness of their desire to lead an independent life, the company is extending its free financial protection plan, PRUkasih, to the disabled community. This will enable them to safeguard their family as they strive to achieve their dreams.
Many do not realise that the disabled desire to lead an independent life, with fair opportunities to receive formal education, training and permanent jobs.
Too often, the perception of the disabled community is clouded by the preconceived idea that they only need financial aid. In reality, a lot of them wish to feel useful and be able to contribute to the communities that they live in.
“As the saying goes, ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime’. PAMB believes that a hand-up approach is the key to sustainable financial independence and it is important for Malaysians to understand that financial independence should not be exclusive to the able-bodied,” said PAMB chief brand officer Fiona Liao.
Beautiful Gate aims to improve and uplift the lives of the disabled by providing them with skills and support so that they can better integrate themselves into mainstream society.
PRUkasih is PAMB’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme, and is aimed at sustaining the livelihood of the urban poor by providing the main breadwinners with essential protection that can help their family get back on their feet as soon as possible in the event of a mishap.
Since its introduction in 2014, PAMB will have provided access to PRUkasih to 40,000 households in 21 communities nationwide by the end of the year. It has paid out more than RM1 million in claims.
Under the PRUkasih programme, applicants who are working will receive basic financial protection, such as temporary financial relief and daily food and housing allowances in the event of illness, accident or death.
It also allows applicants and their families to have peace of mind as they acquire the requisite skills, motivation or resources to obtain gainful employment, and work towards an independent life with sustainable financial provision.
“Beautiful Gate gave me the opportunity to be self-sufficient and be less dependent on my family. It has always been my dream to have the opportunity to actively participate in social activities like everyone else.
“Today, I am proud to be able to support both myself and my family financially,” said Beautiful Gate deputy executive director Ivy Pua Ghin Chu, who is also a PRUkasih member.
“I’m very happy that Prudential has extended PRUkasih to us. If I fall sick, PRUkasih will ensure that my day to day expenses, such as food and rent, are taken care of, and I can focus on getting better. Despite my challenges in mobility, I am able to break through the circumstances and achieve my dreams. I want to instill greater public awareness towards the plight of the disabled.
“Anyone from the disabled community who want to achieve their dreams can benefit from this partnership plan, and should learn more about the programme,” Pua added.
Under the initiative of integrating persons with disabilities into society, the government has established a system and support services to increase the participation of the disabled in economic activities.
In line with the national effort, PAMB and Beautiful Gate see the disabled community as equally important members of the community, capable of leading an independent life and contributing to the nation’s economic growth.
However, the public’s understanding and recognition are crucial to champion the dreams of the disabled community and allow them to reach their full potential.
PRUkasih is one of PAMB’s CSR programmes, and is carried out in collaboration with Yayasan Generasi Gemilang, National Council of Welfare and Social Development and 11 non-governmental organisations. It is fully funded by Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential in Asia.
By partnering with NGOs such as Beautiful Gate that serve as “distributors”, PAMB has managed reached out to five states in Malaysia and widen its distribution network to provide more households with access to PRUkasih.
For more information, please visit www.beautifulgate.org.my or get in touch with Helen Chong at 6037873 6579 for registration details.