Embroidery helps Perak special needs trainees stitch towards self-reliance

IPOH, October 5 — Nadzirah Halim, a 36-year-old woman with a learning disability, found herself surprised by the delicate embroidery adorning her shirt. Nadzirah had only taken up the craft six years ago, having joined Bengkel Perlindungan Semangat Maju in Batu Gajah, located in Perak, during the Covid-19 pandemic. The workshop taught her embroidery, flower pot making, and chip production, marking her first experience in skills training for individuals with disabilities.

Among the 26 participants in an embroidery competition for special needs students, she stood out for her mastery of the skill. Nadzirah, who now earns about RM200 a month from selling her handiwork, expressed pride in her accomplishments and the potential to support herself through this talent. She dedicates around three hours daily to fulfilling customer orders while adhering to the institution’s standards.

The embroidery competition also showcased the 2026 Special Needs Community Programme, featuring Empowering Beauty, a group of makeup artists with Down syndrome. Tan Saw Hoon, mother of Loh Xin Jeanne, 19, who has Down syndrome, enrolled her daughter in a free makeup program for the Down syndrome community, organized by Sunway University.

Tan praised the program's positive impact on her daughter's skills, social interaction, and potential for independent living. Ooi Kah Biew, chairman of Sekolah Semangat Maju Batu Gajah, a non-profit special education school, revealed plans to expand the school by adding more classrooms and introducing new skills for students. With the growing student population, the institution requires an additional RM40,000 for expansion and seeks corporate support through donations and orders for student-made crafts.