CSCD REVITALIZATION PROJECT BY SILENT TEDDIES
The Community Service Centre for the Deaf
The Community Service Centre for the Deaf (CSCD) is a non-profit and non-government voluntary organization registered with the Ministry of Welfare Services Malaysia in the year 1995 to address to the need of the Deaf. It provides an integrated program to motivate and guide the Deaf children and youths on a journey of self-discovery and total development. It is located at No: 41, Lorong Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur. The operation cost of CSCD was dependent on public donation. Public funding was ad-hoc, unreliable and the cost of running the Deaf center was increasing yearly. It is hard for the CSCD to continue operating the Deaf Centre. In order CSCD to continue providing free education to these Deaf children and other services, the teachers at the center started a SELF-HELP PROJECT-vocational training program on baking for the Deaf youths. Currently CSCD is now funded by Silent Teddies Bakery.
Silent Teddies Bakery
Silent Teddies Bakery is a social enterprise to empowering the Deaf Community and other PWDs. It was officially registered on 6th July, 2017.
Objective: To operate sustainable long term project that can generate income while providing employment opportunities to the Deaf, as well as training them with life skills. Part of the net proceeds from the sale of cookies and catering services will go into supporting the CSCD program and its school for the Deaf children.
Why Silent Teddies take the initiative to revitalize the Deaf Centre?
“Sign Language was first introduced in Malaysia in 1964 by the Late Tan Yap, which was known as the Father of the Deaf, Malaysia. He had contributed greatly and impacted many Deaf in our community. He passed away in year 2014 and left the Deaf Centre to us. In order to continue his legacy of fulfilling his vision and mission for the betterment and welfare of the Deaf, Silent Teddies have undertaken the big challenges to rebuild the Deaf Centre”
Revitalization Project
Over 50 % of the building at CSCD is not in shape to be used. The ceiling in some classrooms has already collapse. The old asbestos roof sheets are breaking apart, leaking and are prompt to collapse. The amount of rainwater that filters through the roof has made the space unsafe due to the contact between water and electrical fixtures and wiring. The roof conditions have also affected some structural walls making them fall into disrepair.
The revitalization of the building would enable Silent Teddies to provide a platform for the Deaf Community, and other Persons with Disability (PWDs). The building will allocate space for a Learning Centre which supports education of Deaf, gives special attention to children and youths in need, including those educationally excluded PWDs. The building will also allocate space for a bakery, café and arts/event space to cultivate the student’s entrepreneurial skills and independency in a conducive environment. Additionally, the new building design aims to set an example, reducing the environmental impact of the operations by integrating sustainable features like solar energy generation, maximization of natural light, passive cooling, rain-water harvesting, and an edible garden.
The Key Deliverable and Expected Outcome from the project
- To create greater public awareness
- The create work space
- To provide skill training
- To provide employment
- Create social well-being lever
The main deliverable will be the revitalized space that accounts for 70% of the total property and is currently in disuse. The revitalization project will include: – Additional teaching space:
- A classroom kitchen space to train more students on F & B vocational skills.
- New classrooms that will follow international best practices, in terms of
layout and design, catering for the needs of Hearing Impaired students and from B40 Community.
- Additional income generating project: intent to use their already existing skills on baking and catering to run a Café promoting Silent Teddies already existing as well as new products.
Impacts on the proposed project will help in the environment sustainability and cultural vibrancy in the city.
The project aims to preserve the main structure and building frame enhancing its original architectural features. Only the functional elements (such as MEP), non-structural partitions (that were added into the later stages), and other small features will be replaced.
Depending on the budget available, up to 70% of the energy consumed by the building will be generated by a solar system.
Water for cleaning purposes and gardening will be supplied by a rain harvesting system. The water to flush toilets will come from a mixture of biologically filtered grey water and rain water.
Fruit tree, herbs and vegetables planters will be setup to manage storm water, filter grey water and create an attractive view in a space that is currently not in use.