Officer lauds parents of children with special needs on their sacrifices
KAPIT: Kapit Welfare Officer Peter Gabong lauds parents of children with special needs on their commitment and persistence in sending their children to the community-based rehabilitation centre ( PDK) here.
“In view of the very challenging physical terrains, bad road connectivity as well as the dependence on river transportation, which is expensive and time-consuming, I realise that it is very difficult for the parents to send their children to PDK Kapit.
“I truly admire and appreciate such dedication. These parents are really beating the odds to ensure that their children would receive good care and education,” he spoke during PDK Kapit board of management meeting at the centre on Monday.
Peter also praised the board for managing the centre well and maintaining a healthy account.
“I believe that if we’re able to continue with the good work and when more rural longhouses are connected by roads in the near future, I foresee more enrolment of trainees. I hope you all would continue to perform your very best,” he said.
At present, PDK Kapit has one supervisor Ting Bee Eng, with two assistants – all of whom are in charge of children with special needs from both Kapit and Bukit Mabong districts.
It is open Mondays to Thursdays, with Friday reserved for home visits.
At the centre, children with special needs are not only being cared for, but they are also being taught the basic skills to ensure that they would be selfdependent.
Meanwhile, PDK Kapit committee chairperson Moonly Tiang said the centre hosts Chinese New Year, Gawai Dayak and Hari Raya Aidilfitri gatherings every year.
This year, it will hold the ‘Ngiling Bidai’ (closing of Gawai celebrations) tomorrow (June 22), of which Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit Unyat has been invited to officiate at the ceremony at 11am.
“We have lined up lots of activities for the event. The objective is for us to gather the children and their parents, our staff, suppliers, local community leaders and local government officials and share the festive joy with them.
“We would like to show to them our services and what we do to help the children with special needs. We hope that through this, they would have better understanding on what we do here at PDK Kapit,” said Tiang.
The PDK Kapit board meeting gathered Tiang, Peter, PDK Kapit secretary Stanley Ling Bee Chong, treasurer Sng Geok Yian, liaison officer Azizul Jumli and committee members – Balan Mandaw, Eh Thit Elaun, Ngaji Dukit and Simbah Gasan.