Volunteers set to get their ‘wings’

By SUSAN TAM

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.

Source : http://www.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/7/23/central/11530791&sec=central