Decent Work Training Programme (DWTP) at Fraser’s Silverpark Resort is a pilot programme that gave CBR Network challenges. Challenge to set a programme with a corporate that also wants to see young Persons with Disability be given the opportunity to be trained for employment.

Once we had that in place, it was to source for the right candidates to supervise, young persons who are willing to leave the comfort of their home and family to be in another environment and the parents or guardians who are willing to let go.
A series of interviews follows, and the parents who are willing to give the programme and their young adults a chance to be trained for employment and independence took the challenge.

Some dropped out before seeing the placement, some dropped out after seeing the place (distance); some dropped out due to the unsuitability of the distance; place (environment and situation); work (laundry, kitchen and house-keeping); responsibility (washing, cleaning, cooking etc); problems with peers and/or the mentor/supervisor; financial constraint; or found a place more suitable within their locality.

CBR Network started out with 12 trainees (maximum) but due to the problems indicated above, after the first quarter 6 remained.
When the trainees came back from their Semester Break, we were able to speak to their parents. In the case of Ruhaizam, positive charges were observed by parents, he is more independent, he does not need to be told to wash dishes in fact he puts on the apron so that he will not be wet, he cleans his room as he normally does, watches less TV, reads the papers and talks a lot about his work experience and friends in the Resort. Quite a change as he used to be quiet, talks to himself watches TV most of the time, short tempered and has non-compliant behavior.
Asyraf is more mature, will respond when asked a question. He likes work and his friends. He cooked fried rice for all during lunch. His parents were very impressed. Munzir knows his rights and was not very happy when he was the topic of discussion. He told his mum to keep quiet and not talk about him.

Presentation by PWD trainees. Check them out..appreciate..









CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF COMMUNITY BASED REHABILITATION IN MALAYSIA

CBR Malaysia celebrated 25years of its inception with a National Convention on CBR, held at Berjaya Times Square Hotel from 5-7th February 2010. The pilot project was started in 1984 at Batu Rakit, Kuala Terengganu in collaboration with WHO, Social Welfare Department and Health Ministry.
The rehabilitation programme started with 55 Persons with Disability (PWD), after 25 years there are currently 409 CBR Centres throughout the country providing service to 17,000 PWDs.

The objectives of the Convention were:
• To enhance the existence of CBR as one of the main way to develop PWDs in Malaysia.
• To establish the direction of CBR with the community, as a catalyst to the rehabilitation and education of PWDs.
• To recognize that CBR as the focal point to prevent, rehabilitate and develop the PWDs.

The 2 days seminar covers the achievements; hopes and challenges; advocacy; community involvement; training and innovation towards professionalism; smart partnerships and sharing of the Indonesian CBR experience by Sunarman Sukanto, CBR Solo, Indonesia.

The highlight of the Convention was the Launching of the Convention by the Minister of Women’s Development, Family and Community and the Excellence CBR Awards 2009. The awards were given to the CBR Trainees, Workers of CBR, CBR Centres and also to the corporate partners.

The CBR Asia-Pacific Network Meeting as the 1st conduct taken in this year was held during Feb 8-9, 2010 at APCD Foundation. The meeting was attended by 6 members of CBR AP Network Executive Committee and 10 participants from various DPOs for brainstorming session about management and implementation of Asia-Pacific Convention on CBR in KL, Malaysia. The meeting presided over by the Malaysian Chairperson; Ms. Noor Yasmin Abdul Karim. Besides, face-to-face discussion and conversation, oversea participation via skype connection from Japanese and Pakistan members; Ms. Etsuko and Mr. Ghulam was an innovative way of tele-conference. Read more at http://www.apcdfoundation.org/?q=content/community%E2%80%93based-rehabilitation-cbr-asia-pacific-network-executive-committee-meeting-thailand

The Decent Work Programme trainees are trained by the resort staff half the day and go for soft skills training with CBR Network staff in the afternoon. They are taught, grooming, gardening, craft, budgeting, livelihood living skills, social skills and entrepreneur skills.







The trainees will be having their semester break from the 5th February to the 15th February 2010.