Here are some pictures of the launch of the Toy Library and Parents Resource Centre in Subang Jaya:
Children and parents at the launch
Mr Lee Chee Loi (Executive Director of Malaysian Care) and Rev. Wong Fong Yang (Senior Pastor of CDPC) signing and exchanging the Memorandum of Understanding
Children at the play session (photo courtesy of SJ Echo)Article reported in The Star on 17 June 2009:
Centre for families of children with learning disabilities set up
LEARNING is not restricted just to classrooms and textbooks, and it is especially true for children with learning difficulties.
LEARNING is not restricted just to classrooms and textbooks, and it is especially true for children with learning difficulties.
“Educational toys help them to learn, improve motor skills and develop the cognitive functions in their brains,” City Discipleship Presbyterian Church (CDPC) senior pastor Revd Wong Fong Yang said.
However, related resources and information were previously not easily accessible to parents of children with learning disabilities in Subang Jaya. The situation has now improved with the launch of MaKasih, the Family Support and Resource Services in CDPC in Subang Jaya.
It was revealed that MaKasih – short for terima kasih (thank you) – was picked as a reminder that every child is unique and special.
“Parents don’t need to feel alone in going through the struggle while handling their children with learning difficulties. Here, you can share, network and form support groups,” Wong said.
Kicking off the programme was the Playgroup Activities that would be held on the last Saturday of each month from 10.30am to noon.
Both parents and children (from toddlers to eight years old, including the siblings of children with learning difficulties) can play a variety of games together during the play session.
During the launch held in the spirit of World Play Day, the participants had fun trying their hand at art and craft, fishing, tossing game, balloon-sculpture and face-painting.
“We also hope to have our own toy library to loan toys and books to the public in January next year,” Wong added.
Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh pledged RM10,000 on behalf of the state government for the centre’s future activities.
“In a meeting with the disabled in November last year, parents of children with special needs requested a toy library here as the nearest one was located in Bandar Tasik Selatan in Kuala Lumpur.
“With the effort of CDPC and Malaysian Care, we now have a centre that caters for all regardless of race and religion,” she said.
Yeoh added that it was possible to draw out the talents of special kids with the proper tools and educational materials.
CDPC is located at W-10-2, Subang Square Business Centre, Jalan SS15/4G, 47500 Subang Jaya. For details, call 03-5621 2844/45 or 016-267 5010 (Ms Tan), or email inquiry@cdpc.org.my.