Practical training

THE Westin Kuala Lumpur staff recently made a date with children from the Malaysian Association of Guardians for the Intellectually Challenged (MAGIC) to spend an evening jogging around KLCC Park.

The run was organised as part of the hotel’s long-term community service programme with MAGIC.

Led by Westin’s workout manager, Veronica Schokman, the participants went through a 10-minute warmup session before jogging together around the park.

The Westin provides training to MAGIC children in skills that will assist them in gaining employment in the hospitality field. Into its fourth year of the programme, about eight children head for the hotel weekly to undergo training in pastry making, towel-folding and banquet set-up.

Powley and Schokman (back, second and third, respectively) with (from right) Perera and Nerin and the children from MAGIC after the jog.

“This is our way of connecting with the community, as well as helping our own team to be more considerate and caring,” said Westin general manager Kim Powley.

Marie Anne Selvarajah, 23, graduated from the programme this year and is currently employed on a part-time basis by The Westin in the pastry department.

“I come in four days a week, and I really enjoy working here because it’s so interesting,” said Marie Anne of her working experience.

MAGIC is an education centre set up in 2000 by parents of children with autism and Down’s syndrome. Its president and co-founder, Nerin Yusof, said that with the centre, “we know our children will be getting a practical education”.

Parent and co-founder Elizabeth Perera agreed, saying that MAGIC aims to train its students to go out and be part of the community at large.

“At MAGIC, the children are taught social and domestic skills that will enable them to live a little more independently.

“This programme has really affected the lives of the children. In that vein, MAGIC is open to working with other organisations in providing meaningful experiences for our students,” said Perera.

The MAGIC education centre currently has 10 students aged between 13 and 23, two full-time teachers and two assistant teachers.

For more information, contact Perera at 03-7957 3082 or email
magiceducationcentre@yahoo.com.