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On January 27, 2026, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Malaysia handed over a new 10-seater Toyota Hiace van to meet medical and vocational transport needs of beneficiary members from the Kuching Autistic Association. A handover ceremony took place at the Association's premises in the presence of Sarawak's Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Dr. Sim Kui Hian who also gave a speech at the occasion.
The van will be used for emergency medical transport as needed, and help transport merchandise created by the Association’s students and trainees for regular sales.
With its shared focuses on education and children, there was alignment between the Church’s humanitarian goals and the Association’s aim to help those with autism live meaningful, independent and economically productive lives. The fully sponsored van was a gesture of the Church’s belief in promoting education opportunities for all children, especially for the autistic community.
“The donation of this van is more than just a vehicle,” said Connie Yeo, the Fundraising Chairperson of KAA. “It represents compassion, partnership, and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children with special needs. We are deeply thankful to the Church’s Humanitarian team for standing with us and believing in our mission.”
Since 2018, the Association’s Education and Vocational Training Centre has run a program producing “Autism Art Merchandise” to promote the students’ artwork, which is an avenue for developing their self-reliance. The merchandise is a source of income not only for the Association, but more importantly, for the students and trainees.
The Association’s presence at merchandise sales booths almost every weekend at conferences and community events has also brought heightened visibility and raised awareness for its cause. This avenue has become a necessity for the centre to continue to thrive but requires high logistics needs from production to distribution for sale. Utilizing the van will be more sustainable than the current practice of relying on staff and Committee members’ personal vehicles, as well as support greater needs the Association has as it expands.
This was the first collaboration between the Church and the Association. “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Kuching Autistic Association’s far-reaching impact of helping those with autism become self-reliant, productive adults. We believe that everyone is born with divine worth and it is part of human dignity to labor with one’s heart and hands,” said Roger Walker, a Church full-time volunteer who facilitated the donation.
Last October, the Church donated a similar transport van to The Agape Center in Sibu to facilitate home-based intervention for children and young people with disabilities ranging from autism to physical disabilities. The donation enabled crucial medical services to reach these beneficiaries whose families struggle with travel barriers such as cost, lack of transport, body size, medical issues or necessity of medical equipment that requires an electric source.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is committed to supporting and promoting education and employment access to build greater self-reliance across Malaysia and internationally. Donated funds are contributed by Church members young and old from across the global congregation and specifically set aside for humanitarian purposes.