Kuala Lumpur, 29 May 2024 – IN today’s world where global society is much maligned for mishandling total misfortunes, from food shortages to larger humanitarian crises, YOKUK Foundation provides us with some solid answers in how to develop a world community based on care and compassion, through its new publication titled: “Building a Caring Society by Designing Joy”.
The book presents a comprehensive approach to providing care for the lesser fortunate, and includes a detailed overview of YOKUK Foundation’s journey; methods of cultivating kindness and compassion; practical, spiritual and philosophical steps to take, as well as potential solutions for tackling structural and systemic barriers to developing a caring society.
It was launched today by Women, Family and Community Development minister YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy Shukri, and is co-sponsored by Yayasan Sime Darby (YSD), a long-term and committed sponsor of YOKUK’s palliative care services, the YSD-YOKUK @Sayang Homecare service.
“Building a Caring Society by Designing Joy is a vision and a call to action. It challenges us to rethink how we approach caregiving and community support. It reminds us that joy is not a luxury but a fundamental human need that should be accessible to anyone,” said YB Dato Sri Nancy in her official launching address.
The event also celebrated a decade of partnership between YSD and YOKUK Foundation. Since 2014, this collaboration has been instrumental in improving palliative care and expanding essential services for the most underprivileged in Kelantan. The sustained commitment has addressed immediate healthcare needs and encouraged systemic improvements in community care across the state, and potentially across the country.
“I am proud of the impactful strides we have made together with YOKUK over the last decade. The partnership has brought about real positive changes on the communities, reaching over 1,200 underserved patients and providing support to them as well as their families or caregivers, improving their quality of life. We are more committed than ever to broadening these initiatives, taking lessons from the community, and refining our approach to serve them better. Having already equipped 1,900 healthcare professionals in Kelantan and throughout thenation, we aim to create a model of care that can be replicated towards contributing to a nationwide improvement in palliative care,” said Y.A.M. Tunku Tan Sri Imran Ibni Almarhum Tuanku Ja’afar, YSD Chairman.
“As we reflect on the journey of the YOKUK Foundation over the past 25 years, we are filled with a profound sense of achievement and gratitude. What began with a single staff member, one client, and a small room has flourished into a vibrant organization with 30 dedicated staff members. Today, we proudly serve over 6,500 clients and their families, providing essential therapy and palliative care to the underprivileged and disabled communities in Kelantan” said Datin Suliana Shamsuddin Alias, in her opening remarks.
The 200-page book was published in commemoration of YOKUK’s 25th year in operations and follows the Foundation’s journey of two and a half decades from a small charity to a state-wide non-governmental organisation. The book launch event also marked a joint celebration of YSD and YOKUK Foundation’s 10-year collaboration.
Co-written by YOKUK’s key personas, and the book’s authors include YOKUK Foundation chairperson and executive director Datin Suliana Shamsuddin Alias, trustee and palliative care specialist Dr Fahisham Taib, neonatal expert Prof Dr Hans van Rostenberghe, trustee Datin Nik Ruziah Nik Salleh, and founder Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, all of whom were present at the launch event.
The launching ceremony was also attended by Che Puan Sofie Louise Johansson; Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development secretary general Datuk Dr Maziah Che Yusoff; Department of Social Welfare director general Norazman Othman; Yayasan Kebajikan Negara CEO Nordina Haron, and YSD CEO Dr Yatela Zainal Abidin.
The event featured a special dikir-barat presentation from the YOKUK community of Clients with disabilities.
The hard-cover commemorative book is priced at RM100, and is available for purchase at http://yokuk.org. Total proceeds will go towards YOKUK’s operational expenses.
The book launch is the second in a series of events lined up to celebrate YOKUK Foundation’s 25th year anniversary (1999-2024) celebrations. The first was the recently held East Coast Palliative Care Conference
