Caring Ministry of PBSNS in Society

This training held on 30th June was attended by 13 participants comprising staff, volunteers and others interested in the ministry of PBSNS.  The training gave a clear foundation on what is expected of caregivers as service providers.

Rev Paul Christie, Pastor Wesley Methodist Church Seremban introduced

Pastor Wong Moi Lee, STM adjunct lecturer as our guest speaker for the day.

Pastor Wong shared her rich experiences working with young people with learning disability.  She challenged the participants to understand caring as taking responsibility to touch lives in the context of a living relationship.  She emphasized that in order to build this relationship we must see ‘others’ as created in God’s image and appreciate the uniqueness of the ‘other’.  

The one hour dynamic talk culminated with a reflective group discussion were participants were further challenged to discuss concrete steps in order to stop dumping anger on a less  ‘privileged’ person.  Participants shared their experiences and struggles as they encouraged each other.

Betsi, PBSNS trainer, presented “PBSNS Challenge” by firstly explaining what Learning Disability is and moving on to some of the common barriers that our trainees face in learning.  She challenged participants to understand that a learning disabled person’s condition does not doom him/her to failure.  As service providers it is our responsibility to find ways to maximize the strengths of trainees in our care rather than concentrate on their weaknesses.  We must create an environment that offers these young people appropriate and sufficient support by consistent encouragement and opportunities for learning. 

Peter Yew, PBSNS chairman in closing reminded the participants that our tagline; “A Life Changing Experience” is a constant affirmation of our role as caregivers in society.

The Perak Lesson

The political development in Perak over the past week has a lesson that we in the welfare services can learn from. As much as you and I are dismayed by the manner the power transfer took place, citing the constitutions and the unquestionable authority of the royalty, the very essence of good governance through the electoral process was conveniently ignored. Abiding the law is good but it is still subservient to abiding the conscience of the people at large. Amidst the change of government lie a very serious issue of what service is all about. Do one need to be in power to serve? What are the hidden agendas of wanting to get into power? How can this development be a lesson to societies like ours?

1. We must remember we are elected to serve and to fulfil the obligations of what our vision calls us to be. Being in a position to serve, which means being given authority, empowerment and publicity, can tempt an officer of the society to aggrandise self beyond our call to duty over time. We need to constantly hold ourselves in check if this temptation rear its ugly head and to remind ourselves that while we may be the bigger cogs in the design of our work, yet they still need smaller cogs to make the society operate smoothly.

2. Our positions are given to us because the people who put us up trusted us to discharge our work faithfully, fairly and without any self interest. If possible, sacrificially. As easily as we are put up we can be taken down. We need to preserve our reputations as good stewards of the offices we are placed in charge. We may be able to deceive men but God is all-seeing.

3. The fear of God must remain central in whatever we do. Services to the disabled and the needy are in line with the characteristics of a compassionate God. As long as what we do are aligned with God's will He will bless our work and enable it to be taken further. But as soon as disunity, dishonesty and disorder overcome us then we have allowed evil to permeate our work and dissociate with the intention of God's will. Often societies fall through such developments.

The Perak lesson reminds us to stay alert to any signs of putting self above service. If we are unable to control the desire to use our work for self gain it is better to step down than let the society be affected. The society will profit from the services of its officers and workers if there is love and common desire to build it up. I have hope that more of our politicians will see this as their real purposes in public services.