Nurturing special kids

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Government-run Community Rehabilitation Centres (CRC) have successfully helped hone the skills of children with special needs and trained many of them to provide for themselves.

The programme has also helped unearth their potential as skilled craftsmen and painters.

Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, the wife of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, said it was time for parents with special children to take note of the success of these programmes and to debunk the notion that these children always relied on government assistance.

“These children are talented and have big potential. They are able to produce high quality work only if they are given the opportunity to do so,” she said when closing the state-level singing-cum-dancing competition and product carnival for special children from 40 CRC in Seremban recently.

Colourful works: Rosmah looking at some of the work of special children who attend the Community Rehabilitation Programme in Negri Sembilan. On the left is Raja Salbiah.

Rosmah, who is also Bakti (Association of wives of ministers and deputy ministers) president said apart from running the CRCs, the government had also introduced the Semai Bakti programme to train supervisors and workers at these centres.

“We also train local leaders, repair and upgrade facilities at the CRCs and provide assistance to enhance the training and rehabilitation of the children,” she said adding that the programme was a joint effort between Bakti, non-governmental organisations, the government and the private sector.

Rosmah also commended NGOs, the private sector and government agencies for ensuring the success of the programmes designed to rehabilitate children with special needs.

“Your commitment has to be lauded as your effort will go a long way in helping children with special needs. It is my hope that more such programmes are held regularly for the benefit of these children,” she said.

Raja Datin Seri Salbiah Tengku Nujumudin, the wife of Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, said Pekerti would work with the Handicraft Development Corporation and other government agencies to train special children at the CRCs in the state.

“There are many who had made it after receiving the basic training and guidance at the CRCs.

“We want the CRCs to continue to be the platform for these children so that they will have the self-confidence to do better in life,” she said.

Mohamad, who was also present, appealed to parents with special children to send them to the CRCs so that they could be trained to provide for themselves.

“There is no reason for you to be ashamed if your child. You must remember that your child needs that basic training so that he or she would be able to look after themselves when you are no longer around,” he added.