Passing of a Champion of the Disabled

It is with deep regrets that we learn of the passing of a Christian leader who is a passionate supporter of the disabled people. The late Mr. Edward Lee died from colon cancer as reported HERE. His contact with us was in July 2008 when he attended the thanksgiving dinner of the 10th anniversary of Pusat Berdikari Seremban on the invitation of Mr. Tony Wong, a personal friend. The picture below was taken during that function (Edward was seated left).



THIS is Edward's blog and extracted from his profile is the following information.

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Lee was involved in the following achievements, done without financial funding from any political party, corporations or individuals but through cooperation and consultation with the public and working together with the municipality.

1) Malaysian Care
Lee started out voluntary work with Malaysian Care in 1985 driving children with learning disabilities to camps and outdoor activities. He was also their teacher and friend.

Through introductions by churches and friends, he later also helped people with mental illnesses, eg schizophrenia, suicidal cases and depression, by being their friend and carer.

Our condolence goes to his family on his untimely death.

Visit to Art Expo Malaysia 2011

REPORT: TRIP TO THE ART EXPO MALAYSIA 2011 AT MATRADE EXHIBITION CENTRE DATE: 31 OCT 2011

TIME

8.45am : Left PBS with trainees Daniel, Shiraz, Edwin and Chu Yi to the railway station.

Bought tickets fort them at half price with their identification cards. Each at RM6 for return trip.

11.30am: Alighted the commuter to catch the free shuttle bus service to Matrade ExhibitionCentre in Jalan KhidmatUsaha, Off Jalan Duta. KL

12noon: Arrived at Matrade, registered at entrance.. Free admission.

The art Expo was officiated by YB Dato Sri Dr.Ng Yen Yen, minister of Tourism Malaysia on Friday 28^th Oct .

There were 61 Art Galleries from Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Iran, Sweden, Vietnam, India, Japan, China, HK, Taiwan, Hungary and Spain.

There are also 13 booths under Events Arcadia.

“ Rainbow In My Heart” an art competition organized by Rotary club of Bandar Utama on the 23th Oct, has a booth which exhibit the top 20 winning art pieces for sales.

Daniel and Shiraz were so happy to see their paintings on the wall. I feel happy too. It’s an achievement and encouragement too. It helps them to develop and recognize their potential imagination and creativity in art.

We took 2hours going round admiring other well-known artists.

2.00pm Took the shuttle back to KL Sentral and catch the soonest train back to Seremban. The train as crowded we had to stand till Nilai. Everyone was tired but happy.

4.00pm Arrived PBS , on time for their parents to pick them up.

Kate Siew

New Training Centre Officially Opened

The big day finally arrived, September 13, when all the preparations and hard work culminated in the successful opening of 381, Jalan Kenanga 1, Taman Bukit Chedang, 70300 Seremban, the address of our new training centre cum administrative office. The weather was great and from 10.30am invited guests started streaming in. At 10.50am our guest of honour, Yang Berhormat Dato Hajah Zainab bt Haji Nasir arrived slightly ahead of schedule. We spent some time chatting inside the air-conditioned Chedang Cafe until 11.15am when the ceremony officially began with Rev. Paul Christie welcoming the guests to be seated. Chairman Peter Yew delivered his welcoming address in which he acknowledged the great contributions from the Yamtuan and Tengku Ampuan Besar to the Menteri Besar for the support rendered to making this event a great success. He also stressed the need for both private and public sectors to play supportive roles to provide employment opportunities to the learning disabled after their training at PBSNS. He added that this opening ceremony is a fitting event to spur us forward to help the learning disabled to become self reliant or berdikari and become competent members of society.

The guest of honor gave her speech recognizing the important service provided by PBSNS for the disabled people in Seremban and urging greater support to be given. Following the speech she cut the ribbon at the entrance to the new centre and then proceeded to unveil the plaque laid prominently on the wall of the centre. She pledged a grant from the state government and agreed to have several group pictures taken before she began her tour of the centre which ended with a simple lunch at the Chedang Cafe, a training cafe for some of our trainees.

Below are a selection of pictures captured of this very significant milestone event of our society.

Four More Days ...

The countdown has started to the official opening of our new training centre on September 13. My staff and I with the vice chairman just ended a very detailed walk through on what need to be done on the event proper, from setting up the canopies, backdrop and other equipment on September 12 itself and 13 morning, to briefing the volunteers on their specific roles from ushering to traffic control, security and food management. Besides the guest of honor we expect president and directors of a few agencies to come for this event which we have invited the press to cover. Almost a year from its dedication we will now have its official opening. We pray for a good turnout and good weather as we commit our work to help the learning disabled. If you are unable to join us please remember our work in your prayers. Thank you.

Independence and Dignity

Please read this interesting article about how a learning disabled person, Johari Jamali, of United Voice, managed to climb the slope of slow learning and negative public perception to head the first self advocacy group to prove a point: that it is not impossible to cross into the realm of normal living if there is both a will and an opportunity.

The will comes from the disabled person, his family and his trainers. The opportunity comes from society and prospective employers. On the eve of our 54th Merdeka Day celebration let us be mindful that even the disabled people in our midst long for independence as well, and to have it with dignity, not sympathy. At PBSNS we aim to provide both and hopefully to also set up a similar advocacy group for our clients to spur them forward.

PBSNS Sunday

My home church, Wesley Methodist Church Seremban, recognized our work by designating today as PBSNS Sunday. Mr. Wong Young Soon, executive director of Malaysian Care was our guest preacher. I did an update on the work of the association since the previous sharing. Staff and volunteers sell products made by the trainees as well as assist in becoming ushers and greeters during the service. In all we had a wonderful morning.

Upcoming Event of the Year

Most of you who followed our blog are aware that our new centre was dedicated and open for service in September 2010. We are glad to announce that we will have a simple opening ceremony on September 13, 2011. More updates will be announced as they become available.

All Donations Now Tax Exempted!

Today we received the happy news that all donations towards our work from April 1, 2011 will be allowed as tax exempt expenses. What this means is that you may deduct your donations from your taxable income declared to arrive at a lower tax due to the Inland Revenue Board. This entitlement is available to those with Malaysian tax file.

We hope that this will encourage more donors to respond to our appeal, especially corporate donors. All donations, large and small, will be acknowledged with an official receipt bearing our tax exemption file number that you must retain and file for any tax audit later.

The U.S. Navy Came A-Calling

On 8th March, under the arrangement by the Pantai Valley chapter of the Rotary Club, a group of U.S sailors and marines led by their chaplain came by PBSNS for a courtesy call as well as to do some community work. These young Americans were smartly dressed in dark blue uniform and marine fatigue ready for menial work.

Arriving in a chartered coach these uniformed personnel quickly made their way to the meeting room where a briefing was given to explain our work before they were shown around the centre, after which they proceeded to clean up the drains and prune the branches of the trees outside.

After taking lunch they brought they left for their ship docked in Port Kelang. We really appreciated the help given by these young Americans. We hope that they have taken with them some memory of the kind of community work we do here to share with families and friends. Here are some pictures for the record.