The community garden in Taman Wawasan Recreational Park, Puchong, has a wide range of plants. — Photos: LOW LAY PHON and RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star
For many young adults with special needs, finding a place to belong can be a difficult journey.
But at two community gardens in Selangor, some of them have found purpose.
These spaces have become a lifeline – offering therapy, learning opportunities and a chance to earn a living.
Government support
Despite the strong mid-morning sun and sweat streaming down their backs, the young adults potter about happily as they tend to their gardening duties such as watering plants.
“This community garden serves as a form of therapy for persons with disabilities from our centre while generating some income for them,” said Pertubuhan Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPDK) Sinar Harapan chairman Latifah Ahmad.
“These young adults were diagnosed with developmental disorders such as autism, Down Syndrome and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).”
Latifah showing some of the products made from roselle plants harvested from the community garden in Kampung Melayu Subang.
The space called Kebun Komuniti Perintis Hijau Anak-Anak Istimewa PPDK Sinar Harapan is a pilot project located at Kampung Melayu Subang, in Shah Alam, Selangor.
It was established by non-governmental organisation PPDK Sinar Harapan, with support from the Shah Alam Social Welfare Department (JKM).
The community garden is located near a centre run by PPDK Sinar Harapan, which offered therapy and rehabilitation for children with disabilities under JKM’s Community-Based Rehabilitation Programme.
Project manager Perkas Rao Ramah came up with the idea after observing a need to keep young adults with learning disabilities occupied and even employed.
“There were concerns about what would happen to them after they had completed their rehabilitation programme or a similar Special Education Integrated Programme by the Education Ministry,” he said.
Young adults with special needs and adult volunteers working together to unload bags of dried leaves that will be used as compost and for the vermicomposting project in Puchong.
“Most young adults with disabilities cannot compete with their able-bodied counterparts in looking for jobs.
“They will find it difficult, even stressful, working in real-world settings and are limited in terms of what they can do.”
Perkas Rao said PPDK Sinar Harapan was able to secure 0.6ha of land for the community garden under a three-year agreement with a private landowner.
“The landowner agreed to lease the land to us for free, on condition that it be used for charitable purposes,” he said, adding that the agreement was signed in June 2023.
“It took us nearly two months to clear the site to start the garden.
“We spent about RM14,000, contributed by committee members and generous donors, to hire heavy equipment for clearing works and turn a former secondary forest into a suitable space for gardening.”
Angie (left) working with her son Ying Ze to loosen the soil and prepare a garden bed for planting in Puchong.
The garden’s participants include 17 disabled people aged 16 to 31.
Latifah said the young adults could be trained to follow instructions.
They are in the garden on weekday mornings and work in shifts on Saturday mornings.
“We sought help from the Agriculture Department’s district office and were advised to plant watermelons based on the soil suitability,” she said.
“Some local gardeners also taught us how to plant roselle.
“Our success in growing this flowering plant allows us to make juice, jam and pickles that are bottled and sold at events.
Jasmine (right) working with her daughter Yi Min to fill polybags with soil at the Puchong garden.
“Participating at events offers the disabled young adults an opportunity to learn the basics of running a business, marketing and customer interaction.”
The fresh produce and bottled items are also sold through pre-orders to nearby residents, local communities and visitors.
The garden has since expanded its range of produce to include lemongrass, tapioca, sugarcane and long beans.
The participants’ daily duties include fertilising, weeding and harvesting.
PPDK Sinar Harapan committee members and adult volunteers help with cutting, cooking and bottling products, building structures such as sheds and garden beds as well as other more complicated tasks.
“Each disabled person who works at the community garden is given RM30 by PPDK Sinar Harapan and RM450 by JKM under its disabled employee allowance monthly.
“Sale proceeds are also given to them, after deducting expenses such as utility bills, equipment purchase and maintenance works,” said Latifah.
“We have signed them up for i-Saraan voluntary contribution scheme under the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and Self-Employment Social Security Scheme under the Social Security Organisation (PERKESO).”
She hoped to expand the project to include a herb garden, greenhouse and incorporate fertigation systems.
Among the garden’s regulars are good friends and slow learners Amirul Hakim Mahyun and Taashnuvarma Subramaniam, better known as Gopal.
Lim (right) guiding her son Ting Fong in harvesting roselle that will later be used to make juice, jam and pickles.
“It’s nice to come here and talk to my friends,” said Amirul Hakim, 22.
“I usually hand over the money I earn to my mother. But I’ve used it to buy a new pair of sports pants.”
Gopal said he was happy to see the plants grow from seed to vegetable.
“I like watering plants, fertilising and plucking vegetables.
“I use the money I earn to buy new clothes or pay for my medical expenses,” said the 21-year-old.
Perkas Rao (standing) with some of the participants and volunteers in the garden.
Lim Lee Pin volunteers at the garden with her son Wong Ting Fong, 23, on weekends as a way of bonding and contributing to the community.
“Being at the garden keeps him occupied,” said the retired manager.
“For autistic children like him, the sensory elements of a garden and being in an open space calms him.”
For details on the garden, email ppdksh18@gmail.com
Newly established space
Kebun Komuniti Anak Istimewa Puchong in a corner of the Taman Wawasan Recreational Park in Puchong, Selangor, is a newly established green space for young adults with special needs.
Participants here have been diagnosed with various conditions, including Down Syndrome, hyperactivity and autism.
The garden is run by Persatuan Kebun Komuniti Anak Istimewa Puchong (PKKAIP), an association comprising parents, residents and volunteers from the surrounding areas.
Volunteer Anissasnita Amrisal and her three children Muhammad Al-Faten Mohd Saifullizan, four, Ainul Mardhiah, six, and Ammar Muslim, nine, helping out at the community garden on a Saturday morning at Kampung Melayu Subang.
The key people behind the project are PKKAIP president Angie Ng, its vice-president Jasmine Lee and Lily Loo, who are all parents of young adults involved in the community garden.
“We first met through classes our children attend and bonded over a shared love for gardening.
“We also introduced our children to gardening at a young age,” said Jasmine.
The group then connected Lee Jen Uyin, a councillor with Subang Jaya City Council (MBSJ), who suggested that they take over an abandoned community garden in Taman Wawasan Recreational Park.
Jen Uyin advised them to submit a proposal and seek permission from MBSJ, which manages and owns the park.
The group also credits Kinrara assemblyman Ng Sze Han for his guidance.
PKKAIP received approval from MBSJ in May 2024, started clearing works in early June 2024 and had its first public event to create awareness of the garden later that same month.
“Young adults with special needs often face challenges in finding employment as many workplaces do not have the necessary resources or support systems to accommodate their needs.
“This makes it difficult for them to thrive in a typical work environment,” said Angie.
Hence, she said, the community garden was established as a safe space where young disabled adults could learn new skills, gain confidence and build work experience in a supportive setting.
“Members can engage in hands-on activities and learn at their own pace,” she said, adding that participants were supported by parents and adult volunteers.
Angie, who is PKKAIP president, said the garden provided a space where participants could enjoy nature, learn how to grow and care for plants as well as teach them about time management, teamwork and responsibility through roster duties.
The produce grown at the garden include okra, yam, papaya, sweet potato leaves, moringa, banana, chilli, spinach, spring onions and corn.
“The produce is sold on-site, usually on weekends when there are plenty of visitors at the park as well as at community events.”
She said the group also organised activities or worked with volunteers to have upcycling or craft projects, ball games and public performances that offered the disabled young people an opportunity to learn new skills and feel more comfortable when interacting with the public.
“These activities help develop their motor skills, teamwork and confidence, while also fostering a supportive environment.
“We also want to help our participants develop more than just gardening skills.
“For example, learning how to design brochures or using social media can open up new opportunities for them,” said Jasmine, adding that they welcomed volunteers to run such programmes with PKKAIP.
She said another goal was to seek JKM’s allowance for the disabled young people.
Angie said the group was looking for ways to improve the garden, such as repairing and enhancing its greenhouse or experimenting with multi-level planting.
“We welcome experts and enthusiasts to share their knowledge on planting and gardening so we can keep learning.
“We have embarked on a vermicomposting project with a university and private company,” she said.
Jasmine observed that her autistic daughter, Yap Yi Min, 20, was more independent and better able to balance physically since joining the garden.
“She can work on her own and handle tasks such as watering plants, digging soil, raking and weeding,” she added.
“She is also now able to handle chores such as sweeping at home.
“Yi Min’s social interactions have improved. She chats with me more often and engages people when doing public sales.”
For Angie, the garden offered her son Chang Ying Ze, 18, an opportunity to be outdoors and socialise with his peers.
“Ying Ze, who has Down Syndrome, has learnt to be more confident over time and create his own social media posts.
“His daily duties include watering plants, planting seedlings, painting structures and weeding.”
Both Jasmine and Angie said PKKAIP’s ultimate goal was to create more opportunities and inspire others to offer similar inclusive pathways for career and personal growth.
Jen Uyin said: “This project is in line with MBSJ’s call to build an inclusive community.
“It is a place for young disabled adults to continue their independent living journey, for training as well as building friendship and social skills.”
The garden is open on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.
For details, visit linktr.ee/kcsw
