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SIBU: National Early Childhood Intervention Conference will begin today (Thursday) at Kingwood Hotel at 5pm in a ceremony graced by Welfare, Women and Family Development Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.
In what is seen as one of the grandest conferences, the event will get together 734 participants nationwide who are committed to the care of disabled children.
Never before has there been a gathering of 61 health experts, backed up by parents, to talk on the hopes of and support for disabled children.
The two persons running the event are woman community leaders Kapitan Datuk Janet Lau and Kapitan Wong Hie Ching.
In their magazine message, they hoped the event would create new insights and fresh perspectives for innovative child development.
The co-chairpersons were impressed with their team’s commitment, saying members had planned for nearly two years after assessing current issues to work out the theme and invite speakers.
TOGETHER WE CAN DO IT: Participants at the pre-conference workshop.
WE ARE READY: The hosts are (from left) organising secretary Dr Toh Teck Hock, Kapitan Wong Hie Ching and Kapitan Datuk Janet Lau.
RISING STAR: A disabled child can grow to do what others can do and achieve.
The conference’s theme is ‘Family-Centred Practices – Early Childhood Intervention and Beyond’.
The woman kapitans hoped it would help them recognise the commitment of parents in early childhood intervention programme.
“Children with special needs, like other children, are family members.”
The co-chairs said there were parents among the participants with some invited as speakers to share their experiences on the care of their disabled children.
“So we are looking forward to two-way learning between parents and practitioners.”
Sibu Municipal Council chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King said in his message that research had shown development of children was most critical in the first three years.
Tiong, who is also Lanang MP, said although each child was special, and learning at their own pace, some need extra help.
“The earlier the detection of their problem, the better so a child can receive intervention. Do not wait. Intervene early.”
Tiong is one of the leaders behind the building Sibu Agape Centre – a house that coordinates the needs of disabled children among government agencies and NGOs.
Before the conference kicks off today, a pre-conference workshop for teachers had run for three days. The conference begins this afternoon with a concurrent and plenary sessions before Fatimah declares the event open at 5pm.
Participants will let their hair down in the evening for an informal fellowship over dinner.
The event, partially funded by Sarawak Convention Bureau and Unicef, will be closed on Saturday noon by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Datuk Muhyiddin Mohd Yassin.
See Hua Group of newspapers – See Hua Daily News, The Borneo Post and Utusan Borneo – are the official newspapers.