Raising autism awareness through treasure hunt

Admin

TO create greater autism awareness among autistic and special needs community, Grab, Wellings Pharmacy and LemmeLearn organised an ‘Autism Awareness Treasure Hunt’.

The hunt started at the LemmeLearn Empowerment Centre in Lorong Aman, Pulau Tikus, and concluded with a prize giving ceremony at the Prestige Hotel Penang in Gat Lebuh Gereja on June 16. The ceremony was officiated by Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit.

Speaking at the ceremony, Lee said all of us should take the responsibility and give opportunity to be autistic individuals to be independent.

“I am very pleased with LemmeLearn on their efforts in helping our autistic brothers and sisters be empowered.

“It’s time to get rid of stigmas and stereotypes and usher in a new era of understanding and education,” he said.

LemmeLearn, an inclusive vocational training company that organises training for young adults with autism, believes that people with autism should be seen, be heard and find their valuable role in society.

LemmeLearn founder Eileen Soon added that they were excited as the treasurer hunt not only gave them the chance to raise awareness, but also encouraged the community to open up to people with autism.

During the treasure hunt, there were a total of five pit-stops around George Town area, namely, LemmeLearn, Secawan Hutton, Haven Harbour, Let’s Meat, and Wellings Pharmacy, who are all community conscious partners of the project.

Throughout the treasure hunt, students with their families, were required to use Grab as their mode of transportation to manoeuvre through the city while completing games which also involved booking GrabFood and completing payments using GrabPay.

This gave the students the opportunity to experience using the platform and to encourage them to utilise it as a daily tool to live independently.

Through such a programme, the organisers hope that it might educate everyone to advocate the acceptance and inclusiveness as well as celebrate the autism community.

Story & pix by K. Thaarshenii