Contribution to Children with Special Needs

Date: 31/07/2009

Time: 3.30pm

Venue: Agape Centre Sibu.

Lions in attendance: Terrence Chen (President), Ting Nee (Secretary), William
Hong (IPP), Jessica Lau (PP/Membership Chairman), Jimmy Sim (PP) and Stephen Ting (PP)and Lions from Taiwan

Brief description on Association for Children with Special Needs:

According to Malaysian National Health and Morbidity Survey 1996, it is estimated that 4.8% of children from birth to 14 years In Malaysia have one form of disabilities or other.

Sibu Division has an estimated population of 308,100 (1998) and the population of children aged from birth to 14 years Is around 103,300. Therefore, the number of children with varying forms of disabilities in Sibu Division is estimated to be in the region of about 5,000.

However, only 50 of these children with disabilities were registered with the Health or Social Welfare Department in 1996. This represents a serious under-registration which was perhaps due to the unavailability of rehabilitation services in Sibu at that time.

With the set up of two Early Intervention Centre (EIP) centers in 1998, namely Clinic for Children With Special Needs (under the Ministry of Health) and the Methodist Care Centre, there is a resultant increase in the number of registered children with disabilities with the Health and Social Welfare Departments - now estimated to be over 500.

In October 1999, a group of concerned individuals, together with parents of children with special needs held their first meeting to discuss the setting up of The Association for Children with Special Needs Sibu. A protem committee was thus formed and the Constitution adopted. The four existing Lions clubs in Sibu were offered the "Founder membership" status in appreciation for their past and continuing contributions towards the welfare of children with special needs.

In ……, The Association was officially registered with the Registrar of Societies.