Curtin Malaysia students reach out to special children at PIBAKIS Centre

Miri – 17 May 2017 – Ten committee members of the CPA Australia Student Charter of Curtin University, Malaysia (Curtin Malaysia) recently visited centre of the Miri Parents’ Association of the Special Children (Persatuan Ibu Bapa Kanak-Kanak Istimewa – PIBAKIS Miri) in Lutong.

The visit was part of the student charter’s community outreach programme that aims to connect its members with the less fortunate in the community through visits and community service activities.

PIBAKIS Miri adopts and runs the community-based rehabilitation (Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti – PDK) programme that includes an Early Intervention Programme (EIP) for special children below seven years of age to stimulate their development and provide pre-academic sessions, a Day Training Programme (DTP) to teach living skills and provide vocational/educational training, carrying out physiotherapy and occupational therapy, and organising social and outdoor activities for the children.

Prior to the visit, the student charter organised a donation drive at the Curtin Malaysia campus to collect unused clothes, old magazines and cash for the children. They also organised a fundraising sale that saw members selling fruits, homemade cupcakes and drinks to the campus community. Proceeds from the sale were used to purchase foodstuffs and gifts for their visit to the PIBAKIS Centre.

Upon arrival, the group was warmly welcomed by the centre’s principal, Chiong Bee Lan, and throughout the day, the students organised fun activities such as an ice-breaking session, games and photography session with the children and staff of the centre.

According to third-year accounting and finance student Celyne Foo, the visit was a very meaningful one as the group got to actively engage with the special children and learned a lot about the running of the centre. She hopes more students of the university will join the student chapter’s future activities of similar nature.

For more information on the CPA Australia Student Charter of Curtin Malaysia, visit their Facebook page – CPA Australia Student Charter (Curtin Sarawak).

The committee members present a certificate of appreciation to Principal Chiong Bee Lan while some of the special children look on.