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.

Educational Tour to Malaysia Milk

11^th October 2012 marks the long awaited Educational Tour to Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd, Petaling Jaya, for 22 trainees and 12 caregivers.  Cotra Enterprise Sdn Bhd is the trading arm of Malaysia Milk with VITAGEN as its flagship product.

On arrival we were introduced to the various products made by Malaysia Milk followed by a video presentation of the health benefits of Vitagen.

The highlight of the trip was the Plant Tour for VITAGEN.  Trainees saw the end product of the straws that are laboriously packed at PBSNS.  The smiles expressed their sense of achievement.

All of us had to comply with the strict "Wear Hair Cap" & "No Jewellery" policy emphasizing the importance of impeccable standard of quality control.

 

We were treated to a range of products 

Finally we had a mouth-watering lunch at KFC.  Our heartfelt thanks to Acorn Marketing & Research Consultants (M) Sdn Bhd for sponsoring our lunch.  Our special thanks to Bro James Kumar for arranging our lunch and partnering with us. 

Trainees have come home with the following message:

     1.     Drink one bottle of vitagen a day to feel fit and healthy.

     2.   Cleanliness keeps bacteria away.

     3.   Pack 5 straws for 5 vitagen bottles!

Our Trainees – Our Pride

7 trainees - Daniel Chu, Edwin Wong, Chong Chee Gong, Sanahthani, Fang Poh Kam, Meghalha and Lee Voon Tao made us proud when they participated in the Art Competition for Special Needs People on October 7^th 2012 organized by Rotary Club of Bandar Utama at SEGI University College, PJ. The theme for the competition was Peace with Love. 

The competition was held simultaneously with five other Rotary clubs. Entries were split into two age groups.  PBSNS trainees participated in category ‘B’ for those above 16 years old.  The top three in each category took home cash prizes of RM800, RM600 and RM400 respectively, along with souvenirs.  There were also 10 consolation cash prizes of RM80 each.  The top five winning art pieces in each category from all 6 states will be exhibited at the National Visual Arts Gallery from Oct 18 to 23.

This special art competition had its beginning a year ago when Rotary Club of Bandar Utama organised the first Special Needs Art Competition with the theme “Rainbow in My  Heart”. Last year  2 of our talented artists, Daniel Chu and Hidraz Shiraz participated and both came home gleaming with consolation prizes.  Challenged by last year’s achievement trainees in the Art/Craft department under the leadership of trainer Kate Siew participated in the competition and displayed their artistic talents.

All ready to display their talents!

For us in PBSNS, the highlight of the day was seeing all 7 trainees display their talent and potential in their  masterpieces. Of course greater was our joy when Daniel, Chong and Voon Tao bagged consolation prizes.  All contestants received certificates of participation.

Lee Voon Tao in action!

Daniel Chu’s neat painting clearly displayed the theme "Peace with Love".

Chong impressed the judges with the National Flag and 14 hearts!

 Poh Kam impressed the VIP guests!

Well Done!

PBSNS welcomes visitors from East Malaysia

We were indeed privileged when Rev Tee Heng Peng from Seminari Theologi Malaysia, brought Rev Chong, Mrs Rev Chong, Pastor Soo and Felica Chong from The Church of the Good Shepherd, Sandakan, Sabah, to PBSNS to understand the ministry of PBSNS.

PBSNS Chairman, Mr Peter Yew explaining the vision and challenges of this ministry.

Deeply moved Rev Chong seeks more information.

Mr Yew continues to share the achievements and aspirations of PBSNS.

Rev Paul Christie introduces Voon Tao as one of our skilled trainee.

Waiting for White Coffee being prepared by the trainees.

As we part, we encourage our visitors to consider a similar ministry in Sandakan.