Rehab centre in Sibu seeks continuous community support

Wishesland Sibu is appealing for public support for its rehabilitation centre for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Located on Jalan Shariff Mansor in Sibu, Sarawak, this non-governmental organisation was set up in August 2022.

“Our centre needs about RM100,000 each year to cover expenses, which include two full-time staff, rental, transportation costs, and utility bills,” said its chairman Kelvin Yeo Kai Kee.

“We hope that the public will continue to provide monetary support for us to maintain the standard of our rehabilitation centre,” he said.

Wishesland Sibu was set up by individuals with CP as well as parents of children with CP.

According to Yeo, it is a training centre for children suffering from diseases that cause muscle and body coordination disorders known as CP.

“As of today, we have two full-time physiotherapists, one part-time driver and 18 children,” he said.

He was speaking at the centre that hosted a visit by Sarawak Women, Childhood, and Community Wellbeing Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.

Fatimah agrees that the centre needs a permanent building that is more conducive, spacious and wheelchair-friendly.

These features are a must for the convenience of children with CP, she said.

“The first thing I noticed was that the place is cramped and not conducive.

“I immediately told Yeo and (the centre’s) advisor Chi Poh Yung to arrange a visit to the Land and Survey Department to express an intention to apply for state land to permanently house Wishesland Sibu.

“If a place is rented like this, we can be asked to vacate the building at any time.

“Any investments we make in renovations and improvements will then be lost,” she said.

The Dalat assemblyman also advised Wishesland Sibu to write to Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Openg.

“I will also write a supporting letter,” she added.

During her visit, Fatimah also allocated RM10,000 to Wishesland Sibu for their programmes.