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Tuesday May 16, 2006

Award for Siti Hasmah

PETALING JAYA: Kiwanis International has bestowed on Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali its highest honour, the George F. Hixson Fellowship Award. 

Dr Siti Hasmah has been an inspiration to the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation that provides education for children with Down Syndrome. 

She launched its first centre in Jalan Gasing here in July 1990. 

Through the efforts of the wife of former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the foundation is now a tax-exempted organisation. 

PROVIDING INSPIRATION: Dr Siti Hasmah visiting the Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation national centre in Petaling Jaya Monday. Looking on is Toh Puan Ena Ling (right).

The foundation has expanded to six centres around Malaysia, giving Down Syndrome children education up to six years of age, and preparing them for mainstream schools. 

Dr Siti Hasmah, who visited the foundation’s national centre in Jalan Jenjarum, off SS23/1 Taman Sea here yesterday, was happy to note the progress of work. 

“I am thankful to see the dedication of Kiwanis members to help Down Syndrome children. Parents need not despair as there are facilities to help bring out the potential in the children,” she said. 

The centre’s pride and joy is its administration staff member Eugene Wong, 32, who has Down Syndrome. 

Wong, from Klang, was president of the Action Club in 2001 before he began serving as a clerk with the foundation.  

Action Club is a subsidiary club by Kiwanis for people with learning disabilities. 

“I am happy to be a clerk here. I can earn a living without burdening my parents,” he said.  

He won a bronze medal in bowling in the Special Olympic Games in 2002.