Centre wants land urgently to build vocational premise
Malacca: Since its set up in 1999, the Joy Workshop and IntoWork Centre has rented premises and been on the move thrice.
Twice located at Taman Melaka Raya in its formative years, the centre which now incorporates the IntoWork division, thrift shop and recycling outlet are crammed into a two-lot double storey commercial block in Taman Semabok Perdana.
An NGO, the centre affiliated with the Malaysia Council for Rehabilitation currently has 52 day care inmates or ‘clients’ as they are affectionately referred to ranging from 16 to 65 years. All are afflicted with varied learning difficulties and related impediments.
Parames Anand, the centre founder and co-ordinator and former long time Salvation Army volunteer, is urgently looking out for a three to five acre land plot within the city.
Said Parames “Renting a premise puts a great strain on all of us especially when moving out.
“Also, prevailing in-house facilities and sections of rented premises are not built disabled friendly.
“As such, we have to fork out money in making the needful adjustments, alterations and additions, provided we secure approval from the building’s owner.
“This will not be the case if we have our own building. Because all our in-house facilities, sections and work stations can be built tailored to our specific requisites, wants and requirements to be disabled friendly and conducive to the work we are doing.”
Parames said if the centre puts up its own building it would be a first of its kind in the country, with the inclusion of a retirement home.
“We have quite a number of elder ly ‘clients’ under our care and many on the waiting list. Eventually, should their respective parents or family members pass on, they will be homeless.
“Hence, there is a need for a retirement home for these senior ‘clients” where they can be taken cared of meaningfully”, she said.
The other facilities proposed in the centre’s own building plan includes five work stations, computer and study rooms, bakery, canteen, office, multi-purpose hall, library and resource room.
Also proposed are physiotherapy units, medical clinic, recreational park, flower and vegetable growing plots,thrift shop and gallery and recycling outlet,
Besides recreational, learning and educational programmes, ‘clients’ are also encouraged to do part-time work within the centre, such as packing, arranging and folding, where they an earn a small income for themselves.
No less than 10 of the centre’s ‘fast learners’ have secured jobs with fast food outlets, shopping centres and restaurants and so gaining a regular income to support personal and family needs.
Largely dependent on public donations, cash and kind contributions from the private and corporate sectors, the centre plods on faithfully and fervently with its noble cause.
Despite the numerous constraints and setbacks faced, Parames and her nine full and part-time staff are bent on helping their unfortunate ‘clientele’ for meaningful integration into society and community and developing healthy and self-supporting lifestyles.
Those keen to help the centre or be volunteers and part time trainers can call Parames at 06-2865572.
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