KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Society for the Blind has pinned its hope for a RM150,000 allocation from the government to meet the cost of training 30 blind members in reflexology and full body massage.
The society’s president, Rosalind Chew told members of the media after receiving a donation of RM10,000 towards its building fund from the International Skill Guild Berhad yesterday, that the funding from government will be utilised to train blind members at the beginners and intermediate skill levels.
Chew remarked that obtaining skills in reflexology and full body massage have proven beneficial to their blind members which allow them to generate income to be independent.
“It has provided with our members the capability to earn and to become independent. Some have even relocated themselves to Peninsular Malaysia to embark on careers in reflexology and full body massage.
“I have been told that they are doing well,” she said.
In Sabah, several blind members who were already trained in the field have set up their own centres offering reflexology and massage services to members of the public.
“We also have some members offering reflexology service at Gaya Street every Sunday,” she said.
Last year, the society received a sponsorship of RM80,000 from the Youth and Sports Ministry to train 80 of its blind members to undergo various skills training including reflexology.
However, some 80 percent of the society’s 1,513 members are still considered hardcore poor and in need of support, she said.
She issued an urging to the relevant government departments and agencies to assist the society in its effort to uplift the standard of living of the blind.
She also said that she would be meeting the Minister of Resource Development and Information Technology, Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai, to discuss on matters related to funding the training of the blind in Sabah.
Apart from reflexology and full body massage, the society’s members have also embarked into basketry and mushroom farming.
On another note, Chew also called on corporate bodies in Sabah to contribute towards the society’s building fund.
She said that the society needs to raise fund for RM4 million for the building which will be located on a 1.03 acres site at Likas, near here.
The building will not only serve as the society’s headquarters but will also be a venue for its members to undergo training and generate income for themselves and for the society.
Also present at the event was president of the International Skill Guild Berhad, Juliana Siton.