First Toy Library for special kids in Sabah

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KOTA KINABALU: A Toy Library for children with special needs was declared open yesterday on the first floor of Likas Square by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Dr Yee Moh Chai.

The Library, which is the first of its kind in Sabah and the third throughout the country, would provide support and assistance to children diagnosed with dyslexia, autism, Down’s Syndrome and others in their learning process.

Also known as handprints, the Library provides a collection of toys, games and play materials which can be loaned out to children with learning disabilities so that their learning potentials can be fully developed through play.

The successful setting up of the centre was due to the joint efforts by Basel Christian Church of Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu for English congregation (BCCM KK) and Malaysia Care, a non-profit Christian social work organization.

In addition, the Library also provides counselling to parents with special children on the importance of treating the children early to achieve a better chance of recovery.

In his speech, Yee who is also Resource Development and Information Technology Minister congratulated the BCCM KK and Malaysia Care for their good work.

“We are aware on the importance of the setting up of the toy library for children who need special care and intention,” Yee said.

Rev. Lee Tak Vui in his speech said, “many church members, individuals, the Likas Square Management and also the Ministry of Resource and Information Technology have generously supported this community project in deeds and in kind.

“Playing a supplementary role as an early intervention centre, parents can come and enrol their children as members to use the toys and facilities provided.

“Through playing these toys, it can help the children develop their sensory integration and social interactive skills.

“Currently we have also engaged a team of volunteer counsellors to meet up with parents of special children, giving them advice and support,” he said.

“Through this simple gesture, we hope to share the love of Jesus Christ to the community as our centre volunteers leave behind their handprints in the lives of these children and their family,” he added.

Meanwhile Malaysia Care executive director Wong Young Soon in his speech pointed out that services like intervention and training of people with special needs have increased over the years but support services for families are still very much lacking.

“Malaysia Care Toy Library & Parents’ Resource Centre in Kuala Lumpur was started in 1982 when there was a dire lack of services for children with special needs in development delays or learning difficulties.

“Today, it is the country’s largest and only public toy library that provides information and support beside the lending of toys, “ he said adding that that a similar centre was also established in Makasih following a partnership with the City Discipleship Presbyterian Church in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

He said that in partnering with churches such as BCCM, he sees that Malaysian Care’s vision, which is to enable Christians and churches to be the visible expression of the holistic mission of Christ to the poor and needy, is becoming a reality in many parts of the country.

“Care’s direct services and partnerships are not only in the field of special needs but also in prisons, drug addiction, HIV/AIDS and rural and urban community development,” Wong added.

Also present during the opening were Yee’s wife and family members, Datuk Bishop Thomas Tsen and Chairman of the BCCM KK (English) Church Council Peter Chu.