“We believe that each person, including those with disabilities, have a God-given right to be heard; recognised and appreciated as people of inherent worth; and respected for the potential they carry.” This is the philosophy behind the work of Christian Outreach to the Handicapped (COH).
COH is an interdenominational organisation that provides day activities to adults with intellectual disabilities whose IQ is less than 70. Their ages range from 16 to 55, and they come from all races, religions and financial backgrounds. These beneficiaries also have accompanying conditions such as Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), speech impairment, hearing impairment and epileptic fits. The COH ministry was started by an American Baptist missionary, the Rev Alice Shae, in 1979.
In line with our philosophy, we value every client in COH as an individual who bears God’s image, with God-given potential. COH focuses on clients’ physical, mental and spiritual well-being, providing holistic care and showering them with God’s love.
By engaging our clients actively in our day activities, we aim to build acceptance of and offer hope to them. Our day activity centres plan different programmes for the clients, guiding them in community living skills and activities of daily living. These programmes aid the clients in integrating and contributing back to the society. We aim to tap on the skills and talents of the clients and harness their potential.
Our centres do not only support the clients in their development. We also hope to manage and correct any challenging behaviours. We hope to be able to inculcate and instil in them confidence and the necessary skills to lead lives as normally as possible.
With clients actively involved in our centre’s activities, respite is provided for their caregivers, allowing caregivers to get the rest they need. By guiding the clients to gain independence, we hope to alleviate the stress of their caregivers as well.
Our work in reaching out to these beneficiaries requires the help and expertise of volunteers. Besides having individual volunteers helping out at our centres, we also collaborate with corporations, churches, schools, the National Library Board and People’s Association. They facilitate different community events which involve our clients. This allows them to be independent and acquire the necessary social skills to help them integrate into society.
Shared a 16-year-old volunteer from Cedar Girls’ School: “I came to COH to volunteer because I wanted to find out more about people with special needs. Volunteering in COH is meaningful to me because it gives me a sense of satisfaction and happiness. Even though the clients in COH have their disabilities, they are still special in their own way and they are not useless. Through this volunteering opportunity in COH, I understand more about people with intellectual disabilities, the struggles of caring for them and I can now appreciate what I have in my life.”
Will you join us in recognising the inherent worth and potential of persons with disabilities, as cherished children of God?
Christian Outreach to the Handicapped HQ
Blk 414 Tampines Street 41, #01-301, Singapore 520414
Tel: 6787-3200
Fax: 6787-6990
Website: coh.sg
Email: admin@coh.org.sg
Tampines centre:
Block 414 Tampines Street 41, #01-311, Singapore 520414
Tel: 6787-3200
Toa Payoh centre:
Block 171 Toa Payoh Lorong 1, #01-1146, Singapore 310171
Tel: 6253-5116
Open Mondays to Fridays, 9.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
Get involved:
- Volunteer with us – befriend and engage our clients with activities such as arts and crafts, or sports.
- Donate – your donation will help sustain us in our long-term work for people with special needs. Financial donations are tax-deductible at 2.5 times the amount donated.
- Be an advocate – connect us with potential donors or volunteers.
- Adopt us – adopt us as the beneficiary of your fundraising events.
Upcoming event next year: COH’s Flag Day on 25 Nov 2017 (Saturday), 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please mark your calendar and be part of making a difference in our clients’ lives.
Thomas Handoyo –
is the Assistant Executive in Marketing and Corporate Communications for Christian Outreach to the Handicapped.
Photos courtesy of Christian Outreach to the Handicapped