Noble Formation of Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPDK) for PwDs

By, Annur Izreen Elis and Sama Binti Abdulrahman

Across Malaysia country, thousands of persons with disabilities (PwDs) are striving for dignity, independence, and involvement with the surrounding. There are 559 Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti (PPDK) or also known as Community-Based Rehabilitation Centers. This is one of the government programs that is supporting types of services that focus more on individuals with disabilities who need help.

The PPDK was first introduced in 1984 in Malaysia by the government and parked under Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat (JKM) or the Department of Social Welfare. It was developed with the collaboration of two big organisations which were World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Moreover, it is also supported by the Ministry of Women, Family, and Community Development (KPWKM) from the year 2000s.

The PPDK is related to families and communities, also not forgetting about the rehabilitation for the integration of disabled individuals in society. It was created as an alternative to institutional care, using local resources and involving families, neighbours, and volunteers that will actually help this organization become more accessible.

The PPDK vision is to empower PwDs by providing opportunities for skills development such as skills training and economic support, focus on inclusion and self reliance and also reinvesting profits into community development. For the mission, there are several of them by providing rehabilitation services, training for skills development, educational opportunities and equalisation of it and social integration into a bigger community. The objective of the organisation is to empower individuals with disabilities and to improve their quality of life within their communities. Moreover, they want to provide knowledge and spread awareness to families and communities about this in need of community help.

This organisation accepts individuals from the age of three years old until the age of 40 years old. There are various activities offered to different age levels, for special needs children, the trainers will teach them on how to self-manage, be sociable and have good communication skills and also about cognitive functioning while for teenagers, the trainers will teach them about social skills and pre-vocational programs. The adult will be trained with soft and hard skills, pre-vocational cooking, tree planting and also craftwork. A lot of exciting daily activities that are practiced at the PPDK like physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy that focus on physical and mental rehabilitation. Teaching on how to actually work on self-reflection, how to wear clothes properly, how to keep toilets clean. Also not to forget about the verbal communication skills with PPDK trainers. Several programs that are on offer are therapies on how to work efficiently in their own occupation, the celebration of Eid Mubarak, physical activities like horse riding, sewing, baking and others so that they become more active and productive in their daily life.

The PPDK collaborates with NGOs such as Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) as they organise programs like sports day in the community. This organisation also collaborates with government bodies, the first one is Pusat Kesihatan Gombak as they support a program on healthy eating and nutrition for the PPDK community. There is also the collaboration with Klinik Kesihatan Gombak Setia. For the education field, PPDK collaborates with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) to create awareness of the PwD community.

Although the staff members at the PPDK have the basic academic qualification like Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), but their real strength lies in their effort and passion as trainers and caregivers. They do more than supervise—they assess every participant’s abilities, plan tailored activities, track their progress, and adjust routines to meet individual needs. They write detailed reports, communicate with families, and work closely with therapists. Their job is structured, but their approach is human. Each task they do builds a path towards independence for someone who was once overlooked.

The outcomes speak louder than any certificate. Families now see real change. A few parents have come forward to share with their PPDKs on how their children, once withdrawn and non-verbal, have started to socialise and talk openly at home. One mother said her child no longer uses diapers thanks to her PPDK’s toilet training sessions. These are not just improvements—they are breakthroughs. One father said his teenage son, who used to avoid people, now joins family meals and helps clean the house. These changes may seem small, but for families who once struggled every day with their children, they mean a lot.

This is why PPDK KAMII’s participation in the Gombak Food Festival 2.0 matters. The community needs to see its work. People need to realise that those with disabilities are part of our society and deserve equal chance. By supporting their handmade products produced by the PPDK—Malaysian rice dishes like “nasi lemak,” local desserts like “kek batik,” and traditional cookies like “kuih”—the public gets to taste effort, patience, and pride. These foods are not just made for display—they made with the skill of PwDs. Alongside them, visitors will find homegrown plants, herbs, and handmade items like bags and hair ties with each piece reflecting persistence.

Buying these products is not charity—it is a recognition of value. It is a direct way to support someone’s progress. Every item sold, every conversation started, helps build understanding. That is what the PPDK hopes to achieve. They want the community to become more aware, more involved, and more supportive. Real inclusion starts with seeing and supporting people where they are. The Gombak Food Festival is a chance to do just that—to stand together, celebrate effort, and make space for every voice to be heard. More information can be obtained from Ppdk KAMII’s Instagram: @ppdkkamii01 and Facebook: @Ppdk Kamii.***

*PPDK KAMII logo taken from PPDK KAMII’s Facebook page.