By SUSAN TAMFifty-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
殘障中心贊成申領者面試（吉隆坡訊）為了避免公積金局欺騙案的發生，殘障中心及協會都贊成，以本身殘疾為由，欲申請提取公積金的人士應面試。
美門殘障關懷中心負責人謝秀貞說，面試除了能保護公積金局，也能避免會員濫用他們養老金。
她接受《星洲日報》訪問時說，公積金應確保已準備好足夠人手、面試及調查系統與方式，避免為殘障人士帶來不便。
“據我瞭解，公積金局沒有完善照顧殘障人士的設施，如果要我們到公積金局去面試，那肯定是不方便的。”
她希望，面試時，公積金局能派人到有關申請者的住家或醫院，讓這些殘障人士免去出入不便的問題。
華人殘障協會：接受當局措施
大馬華人殘障協會會長黃南生說，他能接受公積金局的措施，不過，鑒於行動不便，公積金局應派人親自上門與申請提款者進行面試。
英迪學院：應關注涉案學院
英迪學院院長陳友信認為，雖然公積金局在發生欺騙案件後，應該加強執法，但比較有效的方法應是只關注之前涉案學院的申請。
他說，雖然這個政策對學院的影響不大，但它卻給家長帶來不便，公積金局應只要求就讀涉案學院的學生家長面試，而不應“處罰”其它無關學院的學生家長。
新聞幕後：會員與機構串通濫用公積金
較早前，公積金局的調查顯示，巴生河流有11所私立高等教育機構及2所醫藥中心涉及“協助”公積金會員從戶頭中提取教育與醫藥款項的不法勾當。
公積金會員並未獲得通過這種途徑所得款項的100%，因為他們必須扣除20至70%的傭金給有關教育機構及醫藥中心。
為了避免類似欺騙案重演及避免會員濫用養老金，公積金局宣佈，以本身殘疾或欲繳付子女就讀私立高等大專院校學費為理由，欲提取公積金者都必須面試，確保會員退休金不作其它用途。
另一方面，涉及上述欺騙案的會員可在1991年公積金法令下被罰款不超過1萬令吉、監禁不超過3年或兩者兼施。 （星洲日報‧2005/07/14）
摘自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/article.phtml?artid=200507141118&data=scnews&spid=190982
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.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/7/12/nation/11462574&sec=nation
企業界應盡社會責任（布城訊）財政部副部長拿督黃燕燕醫生促請大馬企業集團儘社會責任，給於殘障人士充足的金錢支助，同時也獻上愛心及關懷。
“社會責任是各個企業集團共同的責任。”
她說，政府推動大馬企業集團及公司響應盡社會責任的號召，好讓社會急需幫助人士能獲得物質上的援助及精神上的支持。
“雖然大馬逐漸邁向先進國，但是政府仍非常關注如何去協助殘障人士，政府在建立各種基本設施之前，必須考慮殘障人士的便利。”
“此外，政府也有提供殘障人士許多的就業機會，同時也提供培訓及訓練課程。”
她於財政部為美門殘障中心、馬華終身學習中心及美德集團聯合主辦的《讓愛成長》主持推介儀式時發表上述談話。
她指出，2003及2004年的財政預算案中，都有特別撥款給殘障人士。
也是終身學習社會關懷組組長的她強調，建立“知愛、自愛、惜愛及傳愛”的社群是勢在必行的，它的範圍不拘束於家庭，而是牽涉廣大的社會。
8至11月辦系列活動
另一方面，她建議美門殘障中心準備5年的財政預算計劃書，好讓企業集團能更深一層瞭解他們的經濟狀況。
她籲請公眾踴躍參與《讓愛成長》的系列關懷活動，以塑造一個充滿愛心的社會。
美門殘障中心的殘障人士及義工將於8至11月舉辦一系列活動，向社會傳達愛的真諦，同時透過關懷行動傳播愛的種子。
一系列的活動共有4項，各別以“知愛、自愛、惜愛及傳愛”為主題。美德集團將全面贊助以下活動：
- “知愛”讓參與者從不同角度、不同年齡層的表態、不同的游戲設計及講座，以更進一步瞭解愛的真諦，而這將於2005年8月6至7日舉行。
- “自愛”是透過電影、游戲、殘障人士的分享和輔導講座以瞭解本身的缺點、以進一步接納自己、改善自己及熱愛寶貴的生命，這活動定於2005年9月24至25日舉行。
- “惜愛”讓參與者學習珍惜身邊支持及愛自己的人，並用行動表示關懷及感激，這活動則定於2005年10月15至16日舉行。以上的3項活動皆在梳邦再也的高峰廣場舉行。
- “傳愛”邀請公眾樂捐購買餐券，出席慈善晚宴，美們藝術團將呈現藝術表演。晚宴將在2005年11月27日在梳邦再也高峰酒店舉行。
（星洲日報‧2005/07/11）
摘自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/article.phtml?artid=200507110930&data=scnews&spid=187665
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.
Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/7/4/nation/11352357&sec=nation
殘障人能！（吉隆坡訊）美麗的星期六早晨你是在賴床，還是在公園做運動？你可知道有一群殘障朋友在吉隆坡體育中心拿著球拍，等待殘障運動會的開始呢！？
美門殘障關懷基金會舉辦的殘障運動會已進入第5屆，今年的參賽者反應熱烈，共有87位參賽者參與輪椅羽球賽、輪椅乒乓賽、中國象棋及西洋棋競賽，其中有5位更是遠從吉打州前來；今年的比賽地點，也從士拉央體育場轉移陣地到吉隆坡體育中心。
美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞表示，舉辦運動會的目的除了推動殘障同胞重視健康運動及提供健康的社交生活外，也希望能夠藉此提昇殘障人士的自信心。
她說，參與者包括肢體殘障者、視覺障礙者及聽覺障礙者。主辦當局也針對每項競賽准備了豐富的獎牌及現金，如冠軍200令吉、亞軍100令吉及季軍50令吉等。
58陽光天使籌備運動會
她表示，運動會是由58位年輕有朝氣的“陽光天使”，花了約半年的時間籌辦而成。“在籌辦的過程中，‘陽光天使’也藉機與殘障人士拉近距離。”
她說，為了讓殘障人士能夠盡情參與戶外活動，她希望可以獲得公眾協助購買價格不菲的運動輪椅。此外，該中心也需要更多義工協助各種活動的進行。 （星洲日報／大都會．2005/06/25）
摘自：http://www.sinchew-i.com/article.phtml?artid=200506251413&data=scnews&spid=187686
It is common to find Malaysians shying from being friendly with the disabled either because of negative perceptions or ignorance. SUSAN TAM discovers what the disabled have to say about this during a special weekend camp that was part of the 'Be an Angel Campaign'.TOMMY Leong gave a lopsided smile as he pushed his orange-dyed hair out of his face.
“People think I’m mentally retarded because of the way I look but they don't know that I am just as smart as the next person,” explained the youth.
Tommy told the audience that he suffers from cerebral palsy and is disappointed that people do not understand what he tries to say.
“I find that people like to talk amongst themselves instead of asking me directly what they want to know. They do not take the initiative to approach a disabled person,” he continued.
Leong, who was sporting gold-rimmed glasses and a bright red T-shirt, later revealed that he is in his late twenties but continued to tease his audience when they asked him about his IQ.
“If I had a problem with my IQ, I wouldn't be able answer any of your questions,” the Information Technology student told the laughing crowd.
A group discussion in progress during the camp.
Leong was one of the many disabled participants who shared their feelings about living with the able-bodied community at a special camp organised by two non-profit organisations.
The two-day camp was part of Beautiful Gate Foundation and Hati.org.my “Be an Angel Campaign” to bridge the gap between the able-bodied and the disabled.
Wheelchair-bound Chaw Lai Sim, shared Leong's sentiments, finds it sad that people perceive the disabled as being depressed most of the time.
The Ipoh lass pleaded with her new able-bodied friends to not look down on the disabled or give them weird looks.
The camp organisers felt that it would mark the first step for the able-bodied to have a “real feel” of living and working with the disabled.
At the camp, held at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in Bangi, 80-odd disabled and able-bodied participants played interactive games with balloons, dances and became creative directors for the weekend to put up humourous sketches.
The camp also featured a talk by social worker Andrew Wong on the dos and don’ts of being a volunteer and the proper techniques of manoeuvring a wheelchair.
Wong, who runs the Holistic TEAM Community Centre, said being a volunteer was not easy as it required people to commit not only their time and energy but to share unconditionally.
Siti Fatimah sharing her experiences at the end of the camp.
“Volunteerism or charity work should not be seen as something to “accumulate credits”, impress friends or collect brownie points. If you choose to serve, you must serve unconditionally,” said the 36-year-old.
Beautiful Gate Foundation director Sia Siew Chin explains that many Malaysians were interested in working with the disabled community but often struggled with obstacles, ranging from language barriers to pure ignorance.
“We have managed to plant the seeds to care and share among the able-bodied at this camp, and we hope they will now commit to the second phase of the campaign,” said Sia.
Student Emily Chan, one of the able-bodied participants, felt that the strength of her new disabled friends had inspired her.
“Meeting people with so much courage and strength really inspires me and I guess the greatest gift is to stay alive and to be alive,” said the 18-year-old.
Her brother, William, 17, also had a lot to say when asked to share his feelings about working with the disabled participants.
“We should be grateful and should learn from them as the disabled are people, too. They are human and want to have friends and enjoy life,” he said.
Steven Thong, 46, felt that the camp had given him insights on how to interact and work with his disabled relatives.
“I’ve learnt to be more sensitive and not to underestimate the abilities of my disabled loved ones and friends,” said the IT manager.
For Sia, one of the success stories of the camp was wheelchair-bound 26-year-old Lee Zing Yean who overcame communication barriers to participate in the camp's activities.
At the start of the camp, Lee kept to himself due to language barriers and did not see much use for the camp as he felt he would not benefit from the activities.
However, by the second day, Lee, who lost partial use of his legs in a motorcycle accident, had completely different feelings about the camp.
“I learnt a lot and realise that we can be friends with the able bodied. In fact, the night before, we stayed up until 3am just talking,” he explained.
Sia also explained that the real test would be seen over the next couple of months. According to her, camp participants would have to perform at least 15 hours of community service before earning their “angel wings.”
Once complete, the participants will receive a certificate at a charity dinner to be held later in the year.
Hati.org.my campaign chairman Kok Hee Poh says the camp should not be seen as throwing the challenge of volunteerism to the able-bodied.
“Volunteerism will not work if it is based on a one-way relationship.
“The campaign will also reveal the disabled community’s openness to accept the able-bodied in their lives. We have many able-bodied people willing to help but the disabled must be broad minded as well,” he explained.
It would be heartbreaking for wheelchair bound Siti Fatimah Badruh, 23, who wanted to spend more time with her new friends, if Malaysians only took volunteerism seriously during short camps like this one.
The customer service officer hopes that the situation in Malaysia will change to give her more chances to interact with people from all walks of life and not just the disabled community.
Wong probably said it best when he pointed out that a successful volunteer not only works for the community but also with the community.
Source : http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2005/5/11024852.html
Volunteers having a go during the 'Mini Sports for the Disabled' event.
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