Francissca Peter Setia (New Arrangement 2012)

I wonder how many remember the 10th anniversary thanksgiving dinner we had in 2008 celebrating the 10th year of Pusat Berdikari Seremban? In that event we had Francissca Peter sing to the guests and we all enjoyed the songs very much. The closing song was Setia which was very popular then as it sang of the need to be loyal and patriotic to a nation that is multi-racial, multi-religious and multi-cultural and to strive for the common prosperity of all. Frans re-sang this evergreen song last year with a slower tempo and picked up many pictures depicting the colorful and harmonious Malaysia we aspire to achieve. In this videoclip I am happy to note that she has chosen a photo of she with Poh Leong, one of our trainees who has gone out to work, taken during the dinner. This picture appear in the 1:32 frame.

Facebook Account Created

Finally I managed to create the FB account for PBSNS. It is loaded with photos since 2003 even before PBSNS was incorporated. Do take a look and when you are there please 'LIKE' us and SHARE the pages so that more people get to see our work of helping the less abled folks in our society.

The address is https://www.facebook.com/pbsns.

While I'm at it I want to also update you on our fund raising dinner on October 26 2013. Here's a snapshot of the dinner ticket.

Do support us by either making an outright donation or buying the dinner tickets. Donation can be of any amount and will be acknowledged with a tax exempt receipt. As an incentive if you donate RM2000 we will throw in a free dinner table and a tax exempt receipt. It is a really good deal as we have engaged top gospel singer Juwita Juwito to entertain us that evening.

If you choose to just buy dinner tickets the cost is RM100 per seat or RM1000 per table. For these we will not issue any tax exempt receipt.

Tickets are available by calling Betsi at 06-7632005 or emailing her at pbssbn@gmail.com.

Payment may be made by cheque to

'Persatuan Berdikari Seremban Negeri Sembilan' and send to

381, Jalan Kenanga 1, Taman Bukit Chedang, 70300 Seremban with your name and address so that we can mail you the tickets and receipt.

The date may be 5 months away but as we have only maximum 65 table capacity in the ballroom we encourage you to purchase early to avoid disappointment.

Job Opening at PBSNS

Job Placement Officer 

A new position is now available in Persatuan Berdikari Seremban Negeri Sembilan as a Job Placement Officer. The work entails identifying suitable workplaces for employment of trainees who have acquired job related skills and to provide follow up support thereafter.

Candidates fulfilling the following requirements will be considered.
1. Age not later than the early 50s of any gender
2. Christian faith of any denomination
3. In possession of a car and valid driving license
4. A sociable person with good written and spoken communication skills
5. Matured in thinking, good in problem solving and a team person
6. Enjoys working in a community project helping the disabled to empower themselves
7. Qualification in the study of human resource management will be useful
8. Experience in the same or related field will be an advantage
9. The successful candidate will also undertake some training role in the centre.

Interested applicants to submit his or her resume with a current non-returnable passport size photo and contact number to

Chairman
Persatuan Berdikari Seremban Negeri Sembilan
381, Jalan Kenanga 1, Taman Bukit Chedang, 70300 Seremban.

Or by email to petyew@gmail.com

not later than May 25, 2013. Only short listed candidates will be called for an interview.

Fund Raising Dinner

The management committee decided to have two fund raising events this year to help strengthen the financial position now that we employ 3 full time and one part time staff. We use to employ only two staff for many years until 2010. The staff increase was inevitable as we require focused supervision of the trainees in the three projects, namely straw packing, card and handicraft, and bakery and cafe. One of the staff is fully engaged in handling administrative work and accounts as well as liaison with various government agencies. In fact we plan to employ additional staff to meet new challenges in the coming years. The two fund raising events are a fashion show (to be held sometime mid year) and a charity dinner on October 26, 2013 at the Silver Dragon Restaurant in Seremban 2. Those who supported us during our first charity dinner in 2010 will remember the venue which is in great demand because of its excellent facilities.

A task force was formed and held its first meeting today. Many areas were covered and we are ready to move ahead with promoting this event although it may seem to be very far away. A few more meetings will be held to finalize the matters of guest of honor, performing artiste, ticket printing and sales as well as production of a new brochure to replace our depleting first edition stock. We are excited about this dinner event and we certainly hope you will give us your support. Ticket sale will begin towards mid year but this has been agreed: RM1000 per table or RM100 per ticket Donation of RM2000 will entitle the donor to one free table. Thank you.

Farewell, Pastor Paul

The management committee held its final meeting for the year today and its spiritual adviser, Rev. Paul Christie, attended the meeting for the last time, and gave many views about the work of the centre. Pastor Paul has been our adviser since 2005 and had offered invaluable advice. At the end of the meeting the committee presented him parting gifts of a hand made card pre-signed by trainees, staff, volunteers and committee members; a cake baked for his family; and a set of hand made cards and towel animals made by the trainees. The committee wish him all our best. Next year the incoming pastor of the church, Pastor Ronald, will be our new spiritual adviser.

Year End/Christmas Party

It has become our tradition to hold a year end/Christmas party for the trainees in particular and with staff, volunteers, committee and parents in general, to celebrate Christmas and look forward to a good year ahead. This year's event was held on December 13 (Thursday) at the centre and was well attended by 80 participants comprising trainees (22), parents (14), staff (3), volunteers (15), committee (5), guests (14) and helpers to lead in singing and games (7). The event kicked off at noon and two trainees, Sasthri and Daniel, were our masters of ceremony. Chairman Peter Yew welcomed all the guests. Corporate sponsors, Careplus Group and SCQ Industries, via their representatives, made donation cheques for the centre's work. Peter also inform the guests that Pastor Paul Christie will attend the party for the last time as he will be on transfer to another church in Penang from January 1, 2013. We arose to sing Auld Lang Syne to bid him farewell. Pastor Paul also help give away gifts to the trainees donated by Rev. Joseph Yesupatham of the Penang Tamil Methodist Church. And students from the D'Nous Academy liven the atmosphere by leading the trainees in a time of singing and dancing which they enjoyed very much. Below are some pictures recorded.

MARGMA visits PBSNS

The president of the Malaysian Rubber Glove Manufacturers Association or MARGMA, Mr. K.S. Lim, visited the centre with 2 staff from the Secretariat, to understand our work as well as distribute souvenir bags to the trainees. The visitors were briefed by the chairman, Mr. Peter Yew, and shown round the centre. It is our hope that MARGMA will help disseminate our brochures to member companies to create greater awareness of our work in helping the learning disabled empower themselves to become self reliant through training and employment.