Kota Kinabalu: The Sabah Cheshire Home Sandakan received a RM251,000 grant from the Government of Japan to purchase its first vehicle equipped with a wheelchair-accessible lift, under the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) 2025.
“The only vehicle at Sabah Cheshire Home Sandakan is worn out, unsafe and inconvenient for wheelchair users and staff as it lacks a proper hydraulic loader and restraint system.
“In late October, the Government of Japan officially approved the grant for a new vehicle suited to the residents’ needs,” said Consular Office of Japan Head, Yamashita Yoshito, during the signing ceremony on Wednesday.
Japan’s GGP supports basic human needs and grassroots humanitarian projects, contributing about RM4.5 million to 29 projects in Sabah to date.
In 2009 and 2022, Japan also funded two wheelchair-accessible vehicles for Sabah Cheshire Home Kota Kinabalu.
Yamashita expressed appreciation for the organisation’s long-standing service to persons with disabilities.
“For 40 years, the nursing home has provided residential care and training to promote independence for persons with disabilities, regardless of race, religion or culture. I greatly admire Sabah Cheshire Home and Services for improving the lives of persons with disabilities in Sabah,” he said.
The organisation also runs a nursery for children with special needs and provides employment opportunities for persons with disabilities at “The Treasure Shop” in Sandakan.
Meanwhile, Sabah Cheshire Home Kota Kinabalu offers economic empowerment programmes in housekeeping, laundry, confectionery and the “Cheshire Mobility” transportation service for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility.
Yamashita noted that this is the first GGP project on Sabah’s east coast in 16 years, since the previous project in Larapan village.
He added that the grant represents the goodwill of Japanese taxpayers to the people of Sabah.
“We hope this grant will further strengthen the friendly relationship between Japan and Malaysia, Sabah in particular, and that the new van will be used effectively for many years to come,” he said.
The event was attended by Sabah Cheshire Home and Services President Lawrence Hee Qui Seng.
