Fifty-nine able-bodied volunteers from the Be An Angel Campaign are set to get their “wings” in September.
The volunteers, who took part in the campaign that began late last year, have attended movie outings and home visits in the last few months as part of the requirements of the campaign.
Participants in the campaign posing for a photo with the costumed characters after watching ‘Revenge of The Sith’.
Last month, a group of about 100 people, comprising the volunteers and their disabled friends, were treated to the latest Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of The Sith movie by Golden Screen Cinemas.
The MySciFiFan Costume Contingent was also present to liven up the event. Dressed as characters from the movie, they brought laughter and fun to movie-goers that morning.
The able-bodied and disabled friends were also invited to watch Robots and The Incredibles at the Nokia Starlight Cinema.
Among the events, which were all supported by the Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur (West), included under the campaign was the Mini Sports for the Disabled, a day-long event in June with games such as chess, badminton and table-tennis.
Campaign co-organiser Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director Sia Siew Chin said the campaign was a success in instilling the volunteerism spirit.
Volunteers having a go during the 'Mini Sports for the Disabled' event.
“We have seen strong friendships being formed between the disabled and able-bodied community,” she said in a recent interview.
The volunteers had first to attend a camp at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in April to give them an insight into volunteerism and tips on how to work with the disabled.
Phase Two of the campaign, which was called “Angels-at-Work”, required volunteers to sign up to work 15 hours over a period of two months in any organisation of their choice.
Upon completion of the 15 hours, the volunteers would be given their “wings” and a certificate to acknowledge their contributions.
The volunteers had visited the Damai Disabled Persons Association, Pusat MajuDiri “Y” for the Deaf at YMCA, the Malaysian Association for the Blind and Beautiful Gate Home for the Disabled in Kepong.
Sia said the participants had a chance to experience the different perspective of the disabled, even in simple activities like going to the movies.
The co-organiser of the campaign was charity Internet portal Hati.org.my. Its representative, Kok Hee Poh, said the campaign was an opportunity for the able-bodied to prove their seriousness about voluntary work and for the disabled community to experience this commitment.
“It was a two-way communication process. The able-bodied who are very serious about this sort of work had the chance to show their commitment.
“The disabled, sometimes sceptical of the intentions of others, had the chance to experience working together with their newfound friends,” he said.
PUTRAJAYA: The rise in suicide cases has prompted a disabled man to come up with the 'Let Love Grow' campaign to spread the word on love.
Chan Meng Lai, 35, who has cerebral palsy, said he was dismayed to read in the media about people taking their own lives when they faced obstacles in life.
“We want to let able-bodied people know that if we, the disabled, can live to the fullest, they should be able to as well,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Chan, who is a member of the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled, said members of the centre wanted to spread the meaning of love among the people through the campaign and help build a caring community.
SUPPORT: Dr Ng presenting a cheque to Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director Sia Siew Chin after the launch of the campaign in Putrajaya Monday. Looking on are Chan (on Sia’s right) and other members.
The campaign, under the caring society pillar of the MCA’s Lifelong Learning Campaign, was organised by the foundation and sponsored by Meda Inc Bhd.
MCA Wanita chief Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen launched the campaign at the Finance Ministry here yesterday.
Dr Ng, who is also Deputy Finance Minister, also presented a RM50,000 cheque to the foundation.
Chan said the first programme, titled Understand Love, would be held at the Summit Shopping Complex in Subang Jaya, Selangor, on Aug 6 and 7.
The second programme, Love Oneself, will also be held at the same venue on Sept 24 and 25, while the third, Appreciate Love, will be on Oct 15 and 16.
“We will also organise a charity dinner on Nov 27 at the Summit Hotel to raise funds to sustain our year-long activities,'' he said.
The foundation needs RM500,000 to operate four Beautiful Gate centres in different states. For details, call 03-7875 6739/ 7873 6579.
SHAH ALAM: It is a home that offers hope and care for the disabled.
But to make it a conducive place for its 12 residents, the Kampar Beautiful Gate Disabled People Caring and Education Centre urgently needs to get its leaking roof repaired.
Each time it rains, water will fall through the centre's roof and cause problems for the residents.
The situation is worsened during heavy rain when water seeps into the home from the centre's driveway, which slopes inwards.
HELPING HAND: Hong (left) on the set with Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre consultant rehabilitation physician Dr Tunku NorTaayah Zubir, the home’s resident Chin Ken Bin, aged 15, Lau and Tan at the ntv7 studio in Shah Alam yesterday.
“It is very dangerous for the residents, who are mostly in wheelchairs or crutches, as the floor becomes very slippery.
“Some have had to be hospitalised after a fall,” said Rachel Tan, who is in charge of the centre.
A resident, Tracy Lau, 22, who came to the centre two years ago because she had physical and mental disabilities, said she was an illiterate then.
“Now I have friends, I can read and write, and do my own chores,” she said when interviewed in a pre-recording session of Finding Angels.
The home is featured in this new Chinese reality programme aired over ntv7 on Sundays, with Hong Ju Khee as host.
Hong said they hoped to find an “angel” who could repair the Kampar home's roof or fix their driveway problem.
The episode featuring the home will be aired this Sunday.
“There are two parts to a show – the first part is on the situation. And we have exactly one week to help the 'dream seeker' (the people with needs) find their 'angel' (a benefactor).
“In the second part, we will reveal whether we have managed to find the 'angel',” said Hong.
She added that the programme was not about getting monetary donations.
“People are very sceptical when it comes to money.
“So, when we first came out with the programme idea, I said no money should go through us.
“Instead, we try to find people who can help with the very thing the 'dream seeker' needs most,” she said.
“Feedback has been great. You’d be surprised to find that there are people who are really generous out there.
“This programme revolves around hope.
“Instead of just highlighting a plight, it would be great if we could do a little bit more for people in need – it can make a big difference in their lives,” she added.
Volunteers having a go during the 'Mini Sports for the Disabled' event.
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