Metro

Monday May 13, 2013

Day-care centre Tasputra Perkim in a bind

By BAVANI M
bavanim@thestar.com.my Photos by SHAHRUL FAZRY ISMAIL


Mentally disabled individuals have different capabilities and require different levels of guidance. Mentally disabled individuals have different capabilities and require different levels of guidance.

A RENOWNED day-care training centre for children with special needs that has been operating for 26 years in Kuala Lumpur, must now find a new home if it wants to continue its noble work.

Tasputra Perkim received a notice on April 17 asking it to vacate the premises at Lot 3498, Jalan Ampang Hilir. However, it did not give a date for the centre to relocate but advised the administration to make preparations to leave as soon as possible.

Tasputra Perkim supervisor Grace Jackson said that without a building to work in, the centre’s efforts could not continue.

Tasputra cares for 52 special children and adults who are severely physically, visually and mentally disabled. The individuals, who are aged between two and 30 years old, come from poor families.

“Each child requires individual attention, and we have 21 volunteers including occupational therapists, physiotherapists and psychologists,” said Jackson, adding that the team of dedicated therapists could help these individuals meet their full potential.

Tasputra was in the midst of constructing a new building on the premises to house a playroom and staffroom. It was part of the requirements needed to ensure the centre could apply for a sensory room from a benefactor. A sensory room is designed with special lighting, music and objects that are used in therapy for the children.

The new block was built with a contribution of RM120,000 from UMW Toyota, but the project stalled due to unforeseen circumstances.

A therapist and a volunteer helping a child exercise his limbs. A therapist and a volunteer helping a child exercise his limbs.

“We would not have embarked on such a project had we known that we would be forced to move out,” said Jackson.

The letter, sent by the Property Management Division (BPH) of the Prime Minister’s Department, informed Tasputra that the land was needed for the redevelopment of the government quarters.

Tasputra Perkim was established in 1987 under the patronage of its early benefactor the Malaysian Muslim Welfare Organisation (Perkim), which then president was the late Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Tunku, who was also Malaysia’s first prime minister, was the first to donate RM10,000 to Tasputra to get it started. This was later followed by a donation from Tun Dr Siti Hasmah and members of Bakti (the Association of Malaysian Government Ministers’ Wives).

Besides the prospect of losing their current premises, Jackson said Tasputra and other NGOs were told by the Federal Territory Welfare Department to find ways to generate income for our centres as it would be cutting back on grants.

“Our grant from the Government has decreased from RM162,664 in 2010 to RM148,000 in 2011 and RM64,700 last year,” said Jackson.

However, the centre is always in need of more money as the equipment needed to help the children is expensive.

Physiotherapist Rogini Periasamy working with a special child. Physiotherapist Rogini Periasamy working with a special child.

The families pay up to RM200 a month towards the costs, but that depends on what they can manage and, according to Jackson, not everyone can afford it.

Most of the current equipment at the centre is broken or old and worn out. Many of the items were donated by the Italian government in 1992, and have long outlived their usefulness.

“Most of the children suffer from varying degrees of cerebral palsy; some are bedridden, some are in wheelchairs and some require walking aid,” said physiotherapist Rogini Periasamy.

“While they require constant care and attention, they also need the necessary equipment and accessories such as braces, gym balls, walkers, shoes and wheelchairs for their therapy and exercise,” she explained.

“If they do not get their exercise, their condition will worsen and all the work they have put in will go to waste,” she added.

StarMetro’s efforts to speak to Tasputra Perkim chairman and co-founder Elahe Norman proved futile as employees at the centre said she was still in shock over the letter.

“She is very upset and still in denial, but the reality is that something must be done soon to address the problem,” said Jackson.

“Tasputra Perkim employees and associates understand there is much more to be done to help special needs children in this city.

“We also want to share our experience with others involved in special needs issues, but such aspirations must be put on hold with our own future hanging in limbo,” she added.

Recently, there have been numerous media reports of welfare NGOs receiving notices from the Welfare Department of grant cuts. Some organisations have been struggling to stay afloat as public donations have also decreased in the past few years.

In March, StarMetro had reported that the Selangor and Federal Territory Association for the Mentally Handicapped (SAMH), which was opened in 1964, was in danger of closing down due to lack of funds.

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