Every day, a teacher makes a difference, one child at a time!
A teacher from Sekolah Kebangsaan Klang has invented a running aid that will allow his visually-impaired students to participate in athletics on their own without assistance.
Photo via Malay Mail
40-year-old Wan Muadzam Wan Abidib calls the invention ‘Caballus Rafvi’, which serves as a support equipment to help them in terms of navigation, mobility and stability while running.
According to BERNAMA, for the special education teacher, there is nothing that makes him happier than seeing his students’ happy faces because they can run confidently and freely without another person to guide them.
“The idea came from my own experience. During the training session, I have to run with them. If there are three students, then I have to do three rounds of running. At this age, it’s hard for me to keep up with them,” he said.
Known to his students as Cikgu Azam, he said the design of the tool was a combination of a trolley and a baby stroller.
Photo via Malay Mail
“It is large in size and can accommodate two students at a time. It is not only for the visually-impaired but also works for students with physical problems such as uneven legs because this device helps them run with the help of a guide who controls it,” he explained.
The Caballus Rafvi 1.0 was built at a cost of RM300 at the end of 2019.
Cikgu Zam said he built the device himself using recycled PVC pipes, however it was not suitable for long-distance running.
Photo via Malay Mail
Early last year, together with several other teachers, he decided to develop Caballus Rafvi 2.0 which uses a mixture of PVC and iron pipes and is equipped with air tyres that are more stable.
The cost was RM700 and it was completed within a month.
The invention has fulfilled the dream of one of his students, 12-year-old Nur Yusrina Alisya who wanted to run by herself when participating in a run in February 2020.
Cikgu Azam shared the video of the event on TikTok and it went viral on social media.
He said that the invention had won a gold medal at the Research and Innovation in Education 2020 e-Seminar (e-SPeDIP2020) organised by the Sarawak Institute of Teacher Education (IPG).
“This is my gift to them. Currently, I am in the process of developing Caballus Rafvi 3.0 to improve its features and quality so that it is smoother, stronger and more portable,” he added.
This is amazing! Thank you, Cikgu Azam, for all that you do for your students!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
