Visit to Taman Sinar Harapan

May peace be upon all of you...

On 10^th May 2012, 52 second- year medical students of Universiti Sultan ZainalAbidin accompanied by two lecturers and a community officer made a visit to Taman SinarHarapan, Bukit Besar Kuala Terengganu. It is situated 3 kilometres from the heart of Kuala Terengganu and from the campus it was only a 15 minutes journey.

Our visit emphasized on aims to learn about the function and services provided at Taman Sinar Harapan, to appreciate the inmate physical and psychological condition as well as to demonstrate good communication skills when interact with them.

There are seven institutions of Taman SinarHarapan in Malaysia which are organized under Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat. Taman Sinar Harapan Kuala Terengganu , which is directed by En. Zulhimi Omar, is among one of them, which is specifically for the inmates ranging from 3 to 15 years old. But at the time of our visit, there was also a 44 year old woman who was also under care. The inmates of Taman SinarHarapan Kuala Terengganu are among those who have learning disabilities, mental retardation, being abused and also including the unfortunates who were neglected by their families due to their abnormalities.

Generally, all Taman SinarHarapan in Malaysia bring the same objectives which are as follows:

·         - Provide care, protection and recovery to those who have learning disabilities , being abandoned , parentless, having no one to take care of them and also for those who need recovery training.

·         - Provide self-care learning so they can do things by themselves

·         -Give pro-vocasional training so they can be independent

·         -Give social skill learning and cooperate with volunteer bodies in order to make them mingle with     the society.

h    Taman Sinar Harapan is one of the institution provided by the government in order to care for those who are having physical or mental disabilities. Indirectly, the existence of such body can educate Malaysians in term of humanity and love among each other regardless of who they are. Those unfortunates always welcome people to approach them because they also need some exposure to social life like normal one. In addition, they also have the will to live outside just like normal people if they are able to one day. Thus, we must give some contribution to them in term of facilities, funds, special education, volunteers and expertise such as teachers, doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, physiotherapies and others. We also responsible to serve an encouraging and comfortable environment which can help them develop better recovery to their mental and physical lack.