The Sompo Welfare Foundation (“The Foundation”) presented a cheque amounting to RM32,500 to Persatuan Sindrom Down Malaysia. They were among four (4) recipients of the Foundation’s FY2021 International Social Welfare Grant outside Japan.
Berjaya Sompo Insurance (“Berjaya Sompo”), the Malaysian operating entity and part of Sompo Holdings (Asia) Pte. Ltd, recommended Persatuan Sindrom Down Malaysia (PSDM) to be one of the grant recipients for their continuous effort towards programmes and activities that will improve the quality of life for Individuals with Down Syndrome (IDS) and their families. One of their up-and-coming projects is the Assisted Live-in Facility (ALIF) project which will be used for the Assisted Living Training Programme.
Mr. Tan Sek Kee, Chief Executive Officer, Berjaya Sompo, said “This is the ninth time where the Sompo Welfare Foundation has granted a portion of its international grant programme for Malaysia. We are honoured to support the ALIT initiative, with programmes that aim to provide formal training to individuals with Down Syndrome to live and function independently as they progress to join the workforce in the future. We are proud to be part of PSDM’s initiative to improve the lives of individuals with Down Syndrome by providing the necessary facilities and programmes to help them practise and apply skills for everyday living so they may be more independent.”
Mr. Tan Sek Kee presented the RM32,500 mock cheque to Puan Norhana binti A. Bakar, the president of Persatuan Sindrom Down Malaysia. In her acceptance speech, Puan Norhana said, “We are very grateful to be selected as a recipient of the Sompo Welfare Foundation Social Welfare Grant, which will support our ALIT programme. With proper training, many, if not majority of individuals with Down Syndrome are able to manage themselves and their daily needs. However, they will also need assistance, whether more or or less, will depend on their level of functionality. Majority are in the moderate category and will need less assistance than the low function but more than the high function. Therefore, training programmes that focus on independent living is essential to help special needs children learn how to manage their daily lives with minimal assistance.”
Assisted Living Training Programme (ALIT)
ALIT programme will kickstart with renovation of the current Vocational Building located at the PSDM building itself. The building will be furnished with facilities to enable teachers and students with Down Syndrome to stay for a short period for training. It will feature live-in facilities such as a bedroom, living room and bathroom.
At this premise, the ALIT programme will be conducted in stages, starting with a 1/2 day training, one night on weekends and followed by 2/3 day training, two nights on weekends until the students become more confident in managing their activities.
The training will emphasise on various aspects, from personal care to home management and safety. Students will be taught self-management skills, personal hygiene and tidiness of the residence. Further to this, students will also be trained from the aspect of personal safety as well as safety of their residence and belongings by instilling in them action plans such as which number to call in case of an emergency. Students will also be taught the fundamental money management concepts through everyday activities
Persatuan Sindrom Down Malaysia (PSDM)
Registered on 11 May 2001, PSDM is a charitable volunteer organisation that takes care of the welfare and development as well as advocates for the rights of individuals with Down Syndrome for the whole of Malaysia through health, welfare, education, vocational/career training, living alone and employment support.
PSDM focuses on programs that complement existing services. Therefore, since its inception, PSDM has focused on preparing the Early Intervention Program (PIA) and Basic Career Training Program (PLKK) through Vocational Classes.
The PSDM Headquarters, named Rumah PSDM, is located at Jalan U-Thant, Kuala Lumpur. PSDM also operates a Day Care Centre (PJH) at this premise, which provides various services to individuals with Down Syndrome. PSDM has started operations at the ANISD Nursery (Children with Down Syndrome) in Precinct 11, Putrajaya, in April 2013. Vocational Classes started operating at PSDM House in March 2014. PSDM also established the Down Syndrome Community Rehabilitation Organization (PPDKSD) on 1 March 2019, operating on 1 May 2019.
