輪椅群舞搖滾生命（首邦市訊）愛，的確是讓世界變得更美；愛，也讓弱勢者能勇敢面對，甚至站在舞台上，將障礙化為力量。
當最後一首歌曲結束的當兒，現場觀眾紛紛站起，以此起彼落的掌聲鼓勵台上的演出者，也見證了“愛，讓世界更美”藝術團慈善晚宴的圓滿結束。
此項慈善演出是由《星洲日報》、美門殘障關懷中心、美德集團、高峰酒店、BLS Production及終身學習委員會聯合主辦。
當晚由美門藝術團所呈獻的節目包括了輪椅群舞的《傲笑風雲》、《念》、《展翅上騰》及《輪椅上的生命》等，同時也包括了輪椅雙人舞的《動力輪椅》、殘障人士李桂梅、陳麗娥及失明人士葉順利呈現的《神的道路》《賣糖歌》及《愛拼才會贏》的獨唱表演等。
靈活地運用輪椅起舞
其中在搖滾歌曲的搭配下，舞者靈活地運用輪椅舞出《傲笑風雲》，也讓台上的呈獻舞者堅強及富有活力朝氣的精神。
相反地，在《念》舞蹈中，舞者在節奏緩慢的配樂中表達出人們在失意中掙扎的過程，而最後能破繭而出突破障礙的都是那些擁有堅強信念的人。
同時，失明人葉順利以穩重的台風、詼諧的逗笑方式，讓全場觀眾站立，和他一起唱出膾炙人口的福建歌曲《愛拼才會贏》及《浪子的心聲》。
當晚嘉賓是房屋及地方政府部長拿督斯里黃家定伉儷。包括八打靈再也北區國會議員周美芬、美門殘障關懷基金會董事莫澤川、黃敬映、陳瑞安、黃良鴻、錢本華、顏保羅、美門殘障關懷中心負責人謝秀貞及拿汀斯里黎玉蘭、首邦市州議員李華民伉儷及USJ高峰酒店總裁張成富等人。
黃家定撥款2萬
也是馬華總會長的黃家定在致詞時宣佈撥出2萬令吉予美門殘障關懷中心。
他指出，只要給予殘障人士平等的機會和所需的設施，相信他們的貢獻可以間接塑造出擁有健康心靈的社會，並且使整個社會能平衡地向前邁進。
他透露，社會關懷已被列入馬華的九大政綱之一，因此在未來的日子裡，馬華將推動更多有關活動，來培養及灌輸人們更多正確的價值觀及人生觀。
同時，首邦市州議員李華民宣佈將為美門在首邦市設立新會所，至於建設新會所及所需土地的50萬令吉經費，則將由他全權負責籌募有關款項。
籌獲10萬款項
“愛，讓世界更美”慈善晚宴籌委會主席黃位周指出，經過現場觀眾的熱烈支持下，美門殘障關懷基金會已籌獲10萬令吉的款項。
他承諾將善加利用該筆款項在推動美門中心的活動中。
也是八打靈美門殘障關懷中心管理委員會主席的他表示，如今分布在全馬的美門中心共有4間，而明年將在馬六甲設立多一間會所，以讓更多殘障人士受益。
另外，馬來西亞基督教衛理公會華人年議會會長兼美門殘障關懷基金會主席的莫澤川表示，在社會人士眼中的殘障人士勇於跨越身體上的缺陷而呈現出高難度的舞蹈，是值得大家敬佩的。
此外，他也勉勵美門的成員在積極進取的精神下，必能克服未來的重重困難，實現目標。 （星洲日報／大都會．2005/11/28）
成群的輪椅舞者在輕快的舞曲下，呈現舞步輕快的《傲笑風雲》的舞蹈。
摘自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/article.phtml?artid=200511280528&data=scnews&spid=187549
黃家定：列黨9大政綱之一（吉隆坡訊）馬華總會長拿督斯里黃家定表示，馬華將社會關懷列為黨的9大政綱之一，並將動員集合黨員力量，全面展開多種社會關懷的計劃和活動。
他說，馬華一向將社會關懷列為重要的工作議程之一，因此馬華特將社會關懷列為綱領之一，並擬定行動計劃，結合黨員與政府機製的力量來協助社會弱勢群體。
“我們擁有大約4000個支會，還有其他區會、國會領袖的協助下，在城市和郊外、新村等貫徹這項綱領，以更深入走進社會，關懷社會。”
他也是房屋及地方政府部長。他週四（24日）為馬來西亞生命線及太太文化有限公司聯辦的“愛惜生命運動”主持推介禮後，這麼表示。
他較後也表示，政府全力支持和鼓勵更多非政府組織和人民參與社會關懷義工活動，因此他呼籲所有人民加入義工行列，貫徹助人為快樂之本的精神。
他說，馬華也考慮結合社會組織的專業力量，如在社會關懷扮演積極角色的生命線協會，以提高活動的效率。
愛惜生命運動12月舉行
馬來西亞生命線將會從12月1日至12月31日推動“愛惜生命運動”，以宣傳珍惜生命及喚醒社會對愛惜生命的醒覺，並為該協會愛心基金籌募經費，其中20%款項也將捐給美門殘障中心。
各界人士可通過“一張卡，一份愛”活動籌募，凡捐款1萬令吉和以上者，其公司標籤將張掛在1 UTAMA廣場底樓的聖誕樹上及印刷在1萬張祝福卡，同時受邀為推介禮嘉賓﹔凡捐款5000令吉或以上者，可將其公司標籤掛在聖誕樹上，並受邀為開幕禮嘉賓。
凡樂捐10令吉者，可獲得一張有生命線特別設計的祝福卡，填上祝福語和地址後，張掛在聖誕樹上1個月，該會也將會為樂捐者寄上這些祝福卡。
黃家定也響應這項愛心運動，慷慨捐出2萬令吉支持這次運動。
馬來西亞生命線協會成立於1993年，至今總共輔導了約五千多個案例。協會這次推行的“愛惜生命運動”除了“一張卡，一份愛”的籌募活動，也會舉辦講座會、兒童繪畫比賽、工作坊及捐血活動。
欲瞭解詳情者，可聯絡馬來西亞生命線協會行政處﹕03-92850225或輔導熱線03-92821995（星期一至星期五，7PM-10PM）。 （星洲日報‧2005/11/24）
摘自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/article.phtml?artid=200511241161&data=scnews&spid=187549
Story and photos by GEETHA KRISHNANRESIDENTS of Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled believe they have a special calling in life – to use their disability to encourage others.
This was the message delivered by Beautiful Gate executive director Sia Siew Chin at the press conference to announce the Light Up the World with Love charity concert and dinner at the Summit Hotel, Subang Jaya on Wednesday.
She said the numerous challenges in modern society led some into depression while 2,500 people were reported by the media to be on the verge of suicide daily. Sia added that the disabled hoped to encourage others to carry on with life despite the challenges they faced.
“One of the ways to relay the message to society is through the performing arts and Beautiful Gate hopes that much can be achieved through staging the Light Up the World with Love charity concert,” she added.
Disabled people from Beautiful Gate performing to the Macarena song at the press conference.
More than 700 guests are expected to attend the concert that will take place at 7.30pm on Nov 27 at the Ballroom of Summit Hotel. Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting will be the guest of honour.
The organising committee is targeting to raise RM100,000 through the event. According to Sia, the operation costs of Beautiful Gate’s four centres and two homes total, on average, RM50,000 monthly.
Joining Beautiful Gate in the foundation’s latest fund-raising effort are Meda Inc, Lifelong Learning and Sin Chew Jit Poh.
Present at the press conference were Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng, Kelana Jaya Wanita MCA chief Ong Chong Swen, Meda Inc CEO Ong Bok Siong and event organising chairman Ng Wee Chiew.
Beautiful Gate was established in 1993 and houses 75 residents in its two homes in Balakong. More than 1,000 non-residents go to its four centres throughout Peninsular Malaysia to pick up skills in order to be self-sufficient.
“The Beautiful Gate Career Development Centre for the Disabled in Petaling Jaya teaches non-residents computer skills, English, book-keeping and the basics of starting their own business. At present, some of those who attend the centre sell newspapers at night,” said Sia.
Those suffering from severe spinal cord injuries go to the Beautiful Gate Rehabilitation Centre for the Disabled in Kepong for rehabilitation activities. The Beautiful Gate Educational Centre for the Disabled is based in Kampar while the Beautiful Gate Arts Centre for the Disabled in Seremban teaches craft.
“We hope to set up the Beautiful Gate Caring Centre for the Disabled in Malacca to equip the disabled with special independent living skills. The plan is to train personal assistants who would help the disabled work or perhaps operate their own businesses.
“With the help of Datuk Lee, we hope to set up a centre in Subang Jaya to offer career opportunities as it is an industrial area,” Sia added.
Tickets for the charity concert and dinner are available through donations of RM1,000, RM500 and RM100. For more information, call the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled at 03-7873 6579.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/11/19/central/12614894&sec=central
By CHIN MUI YOONA NEW engineering and drafting skills training programme was recently launched to enable the disabled and transsexuals to be independent and self-reliant.
The programme was organised by the Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur (West) together with www.Hati.org.my and the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled.
The Lions Engineering and Drafting Services (LEADS) programme teaches the basic and fundamental skills of drawing constructional details of building structures. The course comprises two phases.
The first involves evening classes over three months, during which engineering drafting skills and computer knowledge will be taught.
The second phase involves the provision of job opportunities and other computer and business-related training. The programme is meant to encourage independence in earning a decent living, and the job can easily be done from home.
The course is fully subsidised by the Lions Club but those accepted for the course are required to give a RM500 deposit, which will be fully refunded upon completion of the course. A board of trustees will be formed to help find suitable jobs for those who qualify after finishing the course.
“We know that the disabled have difficulty in physical access for work, while the transsexual group faces discrimination in our society,” Women, Family and Community Development Parliamentary Secretary Chew Mei Fun said during the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the three parties in Petaling Jaya on Wednesday.
“The LEADS programme is thoughtful as the scheme encourages graduates to work from home after completing Phase One of the training.
“With financial stability, we believe the graduates can then lead independent lives that are more meaningful, whereby they are able to contribute to their society.”
HATI.org.my director Kok Hee Poh said engineering drafting skills were vital to the construction industry and there were many freelancers working the job.
“All you need is a computer, a plotter and e-mail access,” said Kok, who is a civil engineer.
Kok added those qualified could earn up to RM100 per drawing. Should they work hard, they could earn RM2,000 a month from the convenience of their own homes.
Kok and Lions Club of Kuala Lumpur (West) president David Yoong appealed to educational institutions to offer the use of their premises for more courses to be held in the areas where there were more applicants.
Currently, the programme will be conducted at the Beautiful Gate centre in SS2, Petaling Jaya.
Application forms can be downloaded from www.Hati.org.my. Shortlisted applicants will be called for an interview on Dec 18 and the course starts on Jan 3.
For more information, call Kok at 013-390 4291 or e-mail heepoh@hati.org.my, or Lion Lee Lih Shyan at 012-208 1489 or visit www.lionsklwest.cjb.net.
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