RMHC M'sia Presents New Sensory Room To Semenyih PPDK , Enhances Special Needs Children's Well-Being

SEMENYIH, Oct 24 (Bernama) -- The Ronald McDonald House Charity of Malaysia (RMHC Malaysia), with support from McDonald’s Malaysia, handed over a Ronald McDonald Sensory Therapy Room (RMSR) to the Semenyih Community-Based Rehabilitation Centre (PPDK).

The contribution, which aims to enhance the quality of life for children with special needs, is a symbol of the organisation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the B40 community.

RMHC Malaysia general manager Mohd Nasri Mohd Nordin said the upgraded facility is the charity's 36th sensory room in Malaysia, representing a key initiative to help children with special needs by providing an inclusive and engaging therapeutic space.

“This sensory room is vital for the development of these special children. It is not merely a place for them to undergo therapy, but a space for them to learn, explore, and build self-confidence within a positive environment.

“We believe that when a community is equipped with the right facilities, their quality of life will also improve,” he said after the RMSR handover ceremony at the Semenyih PPDK yesterday.

Also present were Community Welfare director-general Datuk Che Murad Sayang Ramjan; Selangor State Department of Social Welfare (JKM) director, Azmir Kassim; and Semenyih PPDK vice president, Rosli Ismail.

Mohd Nasri said PPDK Semenyih was chosen as it is one of the leading centres in Selangor, having received various forms of sensory assistance and training from RMHC since 2022.

He said RMHC will maintain all therapy rooms and provide specific training to PPDK caregivers to ensure the facility's effectiveness in the long term.

He added that RMHC has Malaysia's largest sensory therapy room network, partnering with hospitals, special education providers and special needs centres to benefit over 4,500 children annually.

Meanwhile, Che Murad said the partnership between RMHC Malaysia and JKM enhances support for the special needs community by combining the expertise of the government, corporate, and NGO sectors.

"RMHC has long been active in this charitable work since 1999, establishing 36 sensory therapy rooms nationwide to date. This demonstrates their continuous and consistent commitment. 

“We hope this collaboration between RMHC and JKM can serve as an example for more companies and organisations to also play a role in helping the special needs community,” he said.

He also expressed hope that the collaboration between RMHC Malaysia and JKM would be further expanded so that more low-income families could benefit from such facilities.

Meanwhile, Azlinda Mahamud, a 46-year-old homemaker and mother of five, said the facility is a great help for B40 families like hers, who cannot afford this therapy at private centres.

“This sensory room isn't just for children with autism; it also helps to calm the other children and improve their focus. I have seen for myself how my child's friend, who is usually aggressive, becomes much calmer after being in the sensory room,” she said.

Azlinda said her 12-year-old son, Muadz Ahmad Fachrul Oriel, who has mild autism, particularly enjoys playing ball and is drawn to the lights and sounds in the room, which help him focus better during therapy sessions.

She hoped that more centres like Semenyih PPDK would receive similar assistance to help more special needs children fully develop their potential.

-- BERNAMA