13/07/2025
๐ฅ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ต ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ธ๐ผ๐น๐ฎ๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ป๐ด๐๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ป ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฎ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ช๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฝ ๐๐ผ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ฑ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ง๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ถ๐น๐ฑ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป
Kota Kinabalu, 13 July 2025 โ Riding for the Disabled Association Sabah (RDA Sabah), in collaboration with Sekolah Kebangsaan Luyang (SK Luyang), successfully conducted a transformative two-day Equine Therapy Workshop from 9 to 10 July 2025. This milestone program, held under the IPEC Global Legacy Foundationโs NGO-Connect Initiative, marks the first time equine-assisted therapy has been formally introduced at a Sekolah Kebangsaan in Sabah.
The workshop was designed to equip special education teachers and Pembantu Pengurusan Murid (PPM) with essential knowledge and hands-on skills to support Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI) students through equine therapy. Hosted at SK Luyang, the program brought together 50 educators, returning volunteers, 30 students with special needs, and two specially trained therapy horses.
Participants received direct, practical instruction in equine-assisted therapy, guided by a certified professional trainer from RDA Malaysia. The workshop also served as a free therapy experience for SK Luyangโs students, many of whom live with conditions such as autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, hearing and speech impairments, and visual challenges.
The program was represented by Dr. Juliana Lim, Honorary Secretary of RDA Sabah, who expressed: โThis initiative reflects the NGO-Connect mission of the IPEC Global Legacy Foundation, which seeks to enhance community well-being through inclusive and transformative efforts. Through this program, we also hope to encourage cross-skilling among special education teachers, PPMs, and NGO practitioners to ensure its sustainability and wider impact.โ
SK Luyang Headmistress, Puan Lau Su Fun, shared her hopes in her remarks:
โThis collaboration aims to empower our teachers and Pembantu Pengurusan Murid (PPM) in the use of equine therapy as an alternative approach to support the growth and development of our Program Pendidikan Khas Integrasi (PPKI) students, who numbered around 100 last year.
Beside our teachers and PPMs, we are especially encouraged by the participation of educators from outside our school community โ including teachers from SK Pekan Kinarut, Papar, and SK Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu. We are also deeply grateful for the presence of dedicated volunteers, including PPMs from Sekolah Sukan Malaysia, SK Malawa, and SK Sembulan, as well as a teacher volunteer from SK Inanam 2.
Their presence truly enriched this event and reflects the remarkable spirit of collaboration we hope will continue to grow.โ
Looking ahead, RDA Sabah expressed its aspiration to extend the program beyond Kota Kinabalu into rural districts, contingent on the availability of trained instructors who can support outreach activities.
Founded in February 2024 by Dr. Juliana Lim and Co-Founder Mr. Pathman Senathirajah, RDA Sabah is currently planning the development of a integrated Equine Therapy Center in Kota Kinabalu, featuring a therapeutic riding arena and integrated occupational therapy facilities. This initiative has received strong encouragement and moral support from Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Datin Seri Panglima Datuk Hajah Faridah Haji Tussin, wife of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sabah, who underscored the programโs significance in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities โ in line with the shared vision of โFree Therapy for All.โ
