BY ANNABELL NAJA TOMMY & ALEXANDRA LORNA
KUCHING: The Kuching Autistic Association (KAA) needs more funds for the construction of its second building.
KAA’s president Dr Catherine Chen Jen Ai said that the construction cost was estimated to be RM5.8 million.
“The Sarawak government has so far donated RM 4.179 million to the building,” she said during the Autism Awareness Event and Book Launch cum KAA Fund-Raising Programme at the State Library today.
Chen added that the extension project would enable the association to provide more vocational training and employment opportunities for teenagers and adults with autism.
“It is our dream to see people with autism engage in meaningful activities that also generate some incomes for themselves.
“We hope to realise this through partnerships with corporate bodies, government agencies and individuals who share our dreams. Together, we will make a difference,” she said.
Chen explained that the second building would house the association’s vocational training and Sheltered Workshop activities.
“The new building will house a cafe, a laundrette, an art gallery, outlets for farm produce, handicrafts and merchandise, as well as teaching rooms and workshops for our trainees to be trained in different income-generating activities,” she said.
Meanwhile, the event also saw the launch of a book written by Roselind Wee entitled “Into A New World”.
Wee, who is also the founding president of KAA, in her book shares the trials and tribulations in bringing up a child with autism.
