Dyslexia association short of RM6.5 million for new building

KUCHING: The Dyslexia Association of Sarawak (DAS) still requires some RM6.5 million for its new building in Desa Wira, Batu Kawa here.

Its president Dr Ong Puay Hoon said to-date, the association has pulled together about RM500,000 from fundraising activities, including a food fair and jogathon.

“DAS has to raise funds on a regular basis to meet not just the building project cost of RM7 million, but also its administration and operation costs.

"The Sarawak government has alienated a 1.5-acre land for DAS to build a new building," she told reporters after Minister of Welfare, Community Well Being, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah flagged off the Dyslexia Purple Run 2018 near Kuching South City Council (MBKS) Complex yesterday.

According to Dr Ong, dyslexia is a major issue which needs to be addressed as failing to do so will lead to other mental and social problems.

More than 500 people took part in the 5km run which also saw virtual runs in Thailand, Indonesia, Vancouver and Australia.

Prior to the flag-off at 6.30am, participants had a warm-up session led by Vincent Mallang of Borneonwolves.

Fatimah, meanwhile, noted that DAS had come a long way in raising funds to carry out its activities, and hoped more generous donors would come forward to make the association's new building a reality.

"The association has put in a lot of effort to raise funds for it (new building) but they have still not met the target. I support all their efforts," she said.

She thus called upon members of the public to support such a good cause given that the concept of the DAS building would accommodate the needs of individuals – be they children or adults with special needs.