Academy Turning Caregiving As Vehicle For Social Change

PENAMPANG: CarersPlus Asia, a caregiver training academy, aims to turn caregiving into a meaningful vocation that strengthens rural communities in Sabah.

More than eldercare, their programme trains caregivers to become local leaders capable of establishing community hubs tat evolve to offer broader services, even those beyond healthcare.

“They’re more than helpers, they’re anchors for their communities,” said Greg King, who co- founded the academy with his wife, Maria Kinson.

Trainees are empowered to return to their respective villages and set up service centres to access care without leaving their villages.

CarersPlus Asia academy was officially opened on Wednesday, four months after beginning training with its first cohort of 20 students, mostly from remote areas. The event featured ECM Libra Foundation Chairman Dato’ Seri Kalimullah Masheerul Hassan, who delivered the keynote address, and other stakeholders from the public and private sectors in attendance.

King highlighted that by 2030, over 15pc of Malaysians will be 60 or older. Unlike Sweden, which took over a century to reach this demographic shift, Malaysia, he said, will do so in just 24 years.

He stressed the need for proactive, community-driven eldercare instead of relying solely on institutional solutions.

CarersPlus addresses two key challenges: the lack of community-based elder support and rural youth unemployment. By offering nationally accredited training, the programme provides underemployed youth with careers in caregiving – helping seniors “age in place” and building sustainable village networks.

“The pandemic exposed the fragility of our care infrastructure. It showed us that care is not a luxury. It’s a human right.”

“And aging isn’t a disease to be treated in hospitals. It’s a natural part of life that requires reimagining of how we live and care for one another,” he said.

The model responds to findings by the World Bank on East Malaysia’s “inequality of opportunity,” offering marginalized youth career paths in a growing sector.

The young caregivers currently training at CarersPlus academy represent more than just a workforce – they symbolize a shift in perspective.

“They are proof that we can reduce inequality through opportunity.”

“We are not just addressing aging. We are building an intergenerational solution that benefits the entire community,” said King.

Meanwhile, Daily Express learned that many among the students have experienced caring for an elderly or sick member in their family. The experience motivated them to join the academy so they can provide care more skilfully.

“My family and I gave our best in caring. But now that I’m in the academy, I’ve developed the skill to provide proper care. I’ve learned to read the vital signs and respond to the needs of a person under my care. These are fundamental,” said Arlina Serapon, 25, from Kg Pulutan, Kota Marudu.

Another student, Betneyx Elixaus said the programme has helped boost her self-confidence and leadership skill.

“Caregiving may call me to other places to work someday since it is in high demand in many countries. But my goal is to return to my village to serve my community. I also keep in mind that this is not just a job but a calling to be a leader that advocates a caring community. This gives me meaning and purpose,” said the 25-year-old from Simpangan, also in Kota Marudu. She and the rest of her batch mates said they were grateful to have been given the chance to build a career in caregiving through the academy.

According to them, getting job opportunities can sometimes be difficult for rural youths despite many of them completed Form 5 and 6.

“Maybe it’s because we’re in rural areas,” said Leslietarina Latius from Ranau. “But through this academy, nothing is now too far for us to reach, not even our dreams to be successful in what we do,” she added.