KUCHING, Sept 8: Special needs children can benefit through the organising of more exhibitions to showcase their talents, opines Dato Sim Kiang Chiok.
In pointing this out, Sim who is also advisor to Kuching Association of Talent Development and Welfare of Special Needs (KATSN), said in the long run, more exhibitions such as ‘The Gifted Art Exhibition’ would also help in the integration as well as to assimilate or welcome people with special needs into the larger community.
According to Sim, community integration would enable them to fully participate in life at the same level as their peers, he said in a statement today.
Meanwhile, Sim, who is also Sarawak United Peoples’ Party (SUPP) Stakan branch chairman, expressed his gratitude to Minister of Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah for visiting and opening ‘The Gifted Art Exhibition’ by special children organised in conjunction with Merderka Plaza’s Mid-Autmn Festival Celebration today.
He said Fatimah’s visit will surely help boost the children’s self-esteem and confidence in their own worth or abilities, including self-respect.
“This will help them to increase self-reliance with this art exhibition which will help to encourage art and painting enthusiasts as well as the public in coming forward to support, hence generating income for the artists with special needs.
“Hopefully their arts will be their ‘rice bowl’ and they would be much more independent with this income through their paintings and craft,” he added.
The Gifted Art Exhibition from Aug 26 to Sept 11 showcases amazing and beautiful artworks created by 15 children of various special needs.
Organised by KATSN in collaboration with Lions Club Kuching One Earth and Kuching Divine Will Society, it celebrates the diverse abilities of special needs individuals and encourages inclusion in society. — DayakDaily
