Our Best Buddies Day

14th of November 2009 was another historical day for UCSI U-College Buddies and our buddies as it was our first ever Best Buddies Day, which happened from 1.00pm to 4.00pm at Lounge of our UCSI University main campus.

Thanks to the supports among ourselves, the new members of UCSI U Best Buddies and also our dearest best buddies and parents, we’d twenty joined us for this special occasion. The main purpose of having this event is to train ourselves as well as the public on how to interact and socialize with people with intellectual disabilities. Apart from this, it also aims to strengthen the bond between college buddies and buddies.

The planning started three weeks with all the games tidily plotted before this day but the real preparation actually started early in the morning. Some of the college buddies gathered at one of the members’ house to prepare for refreshment with food such as tuna sandwiches and chicken balls while the rest went for the set up at the venue.

At about1 pm, the training started officially by Ms Yeong Moh Foong, who’s an experienced one from the United Voice. At the beginning, she introduced the different categories of learning disabilities. A few role plays were held to make the talk more interesting. The first role play was about ways of expressing to someone with learning disability and she used directions-giving as her example to make us clear about the proper way of guiding our buddies. She also emphasized on a few aspects to be noted when communicating with or instructing a buddy. “For instance, we need to speak slowly and softly so that the buddy can understand our point,” she pointed out.

Besides that, we need to minimize the usage of difficult words and try to use our languages as simple as possible to clarify our words. The second role-play was more appealing and it was about the importance of the art of listening. Listening can make buddies or even ourselves, as the speakers, feel appreciated.

As for the closing of the training, the United Voice speaker presented certificates to the College Buddy Director. Refreshments lasted only for 5 minutes due to a dearth of time but it was indeed meaningful as it had provided a chance for the college buddies to build up good rapport with the buddies or even their parents.

Soon after this, we adjourned to the lobby of Block A for our major game today, which was given a name: Ha-ku-na-ma-ta-ta, which means “there are no worries”. Like what’s implied in this game, we really had an enjoyable time with all our worries gone when doing this together. The buddies and college buddies were divided into four groups with each receiving a pile of newspapers, a pair of scissors, a tube of glue, cellophane tape and a pair of staplers. Each group was required to select a theme for their runway project prior to dress their chosen member up as the ‘model of the theme’ in 30 minutes. All the buddies endeavored to show their artistic creativity for modeling and had finally came out with their impressive masterpieces, i.e. The Lion King, Hawaii, Halloween and The Witch and the Broomstick. The Lion King won the first for this fashion show but all groups were given presents for encouragement.

To keep this day forever in our memory so that it won’t fade off, we took some photographs with buddies, parents and among ourselves. Altogether we look forward to such gathering in the future.

Reported by,
Syariza Kamal

Hakuna matata

Ha-ku-na-ma-ta-ta is a Swahili phrase that is literally translated as "There are no worries"

A: Hakuna Matata! What a wonderful phrase; Hakuna Matata! Ain't no passing craze; It means no worries for the rest of your days, It's our problem-free philosophy; Hakuna Matata!
B: Hakuna Matata?
A: Yeah. It's our motto! Those two words will solve all your problems.

Do you want to solve your problems, buddies? Join us on this coming Saturday (14/11/2009 from 12 pm to 4.30 pm) so that we can foster the spirit of 'ha-ku-na-ma-ta-ta'

UCSI University Clubs' Day

Last Wednesday is our UCSI University Clubs' Day. Nonetheless our club was also THERE!! We pushed ourselves to fully prepared for this day!

Hence, by looking at the photo, you could imagine how much effort that we had put in. We made a poster on a black board. We also made a slideshow of BB on a LCD screen. We had also prepared some sweets for students.

What I was really excited was - my bunch of Best Buddies' members. Thank you so much for spacing out your time for this Club Day. Without your contribution and commitment, Best Buddies could never work as a TEAM.


Nice to work together with =D Let's embark Best Buddies more together !!



Best Regards,

Hui Ru

We are from the Best Buddies Association, from UCSI University, KL Campus.
We will be having a charity event, which is also the fifth event of Best Buddies --  “BB Got Talent”  ( bring out the buddies talent )  

Date : 21st of March 2009 ( Saturday )
Time : 7pm - 10pm
Venue : Auditorium, Menara Gading, Block C, South Wing, UCSI University KL Campus. 
  
BB Got Talent is organised by UCSI University's Best Buddies Club, where children with intellectual disabilities or Buddies can showcase their talents!
Be it singing, acting or dancing !!!

- This event is open for all UCSI University students, as well as the Public, ( so ask your family or friends to come over to UCSI University, and give us your support ) 

- We will have lucky draw session, we are giving out huge soft toys, Pensonic Slow Cooker, Coffee Teapot Ser, Etc... 

- Light Refreshment will be provided as well...

- Tickets are selling at the BOOTH, at Lobby, Block A, UCSI University, 11am - 4pm ... ( drop by anytime for more info ) Of course, You can get it from ME too, only at RM10 ... 

 For more information, please contact:

Hui Ru: 012 - 299 3593 / Thurga: 014 - 929 4208 

Also, you can visit this : http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=53943963189

SDCU Appreciation Night ...

It's the beginning of a brand new year of 2009, here we are, Best Buddies were involved in an recent event -- SDCU Appreciation Night. This event was organised by the Student Development & Counselling Unit, under Student Affairs. It was held at BlockB, starting from 6pm to 9pm, on the 21st of January . Best Buddies, Peer Counselling and Will Group were invited to this event with the objectives of getting everybody together and knowing each other. All the members, advisors, failitators were invited to this event, in order to appreciate their hardwork, passion and commitment involving in the their works all this while. 

The place was decorated with baloons, some "thank you" words of different language were pasted on the board to show appreciation, a very lively and colourful setting were finally finish decorated. Soon, while everyone had arrived, the event had came to alive and thus everything was going smoothly. The emcee of that day were Simon and Ms Menaga, they did a fantastic job that night by making the event not too dull, cracking some jokes from time to time. Without wasting time, Dr Lachman, vice president of Student Affairs was invited to give a speech. Shortly, the dinner started as everyone was treating themselves a sumptuous buffet style dinner. They were seen savouring their fried rice, fried chicken, sandwiches, local delights - kuih while chit-chatting with each other. 

After that, Shue Ling was taking over and in-charged of the ice-breaking session. Each and everyone were asked to introduc themselves, and their names have to be remembered, as it is for the next game. Several games were prepared earlier and was conducted in an organized way. All of them were enjoying themselves, laughing around and of course, moving around instead of sitting at their own place. The event was indeed getting more lively and people were starting to interact with one another. Later, everyone was sitting on a chair, forming a big circle, and then proceed to the session. It was a sharing session, where each of us who are Best Buddies members, Peer Counselloers, Will Group facilitator have to talk about how we feel, what we expect in the future. From there, we know what others do, what activities they've done, and know more about their works all this while. 

Then, after going through some names writing, lucky-drawing other's name, message dedicating( write anything to the person whose name been drawed ) It was fun and exciting session because we were so eager to know who got our names and what have they written about us. We were all required to wrap the small glass with the give materials like colourful wrapping plastic, a string and to put the message into the glass. After all these, it's the time to exchange the gifts. Besides, some souvenirs were also prepared and given by our advisors, with a small message nicely put inside the tiny bottle. Messages were full of appreciation words, thanking each other for the efforts we have put in, the time sacrificed, the passion in doing certain things and etc. 

Around 9pm, the event had came to an end, people were enjoying themselevs, making some new friends, knowing what the other groups of people were doing . So, this is consider first event that Best Buddies had involved in this new semester in 2009, we have been working with the Peer Counselling members, the will group facilitators as well as all the advisors, in order to organised to such wonderful and meaning Appreciation Night. Thank you everyone for the effforts and hardworking. 

Best Buddies Pot-Luck Gathering

On the 30th of December 2008, Best Buddies had organized a Pot-Luck Gathering to celebrate the beginning of the new relationship with the buddies and their parents as well. We are now one step closer, narrowing the gap between each other and strengthen the bond in between. The reason we had this gathering is to bring everyone together, to let us know more about the parents and our friends with ( the buddies ) learning disabilities.

As time passed, members and the guests were arriving and soon filled up the seats in the room which was nicely decorated and highlighted with a Christmas tree. The chairs were arranged in a party way, where we had plenty of space in the middle to move around and for game time. Our first guest had brought us fried rice and some brought along cakes and jelly. Without wasting our time and since everyone were waiting eagerly for the dinner time, our Best Buddies advisor had a few words welcoming the guests, talking about the objectives of this gathering, then she announced that dinner is ready and the guests were invited and enjoy their meals. Everyone was savouring the sumptuous food prepared by almost all of us, we were spoilt with a wide variety of food like fried rice, spagetti, mash potato, nuggets, sushi, salad, jelly, agar-agar, and cakes.

Needless to say, everyone was enjoying their meal and had a great time chit-chatting as well.

Later, we proceed to the game session after resting for a while after our dinner. There were a few creative games which brought us all laughing, running and dancing around, talked to each other. This was indeed a good way to bring us all together, definitely breaking the ice and we were like one big family having fun time.

They really made an effort to contribute something and they are very much appreaciated. They had made a difference in our life since the day they decided to attend our first event until now, they support Best Buddies physically as well as morally. Let spread our love and continue this priceless relationship called - - FRIENDSHIP ..

Thank you very much, sincerely from our heart...

Let the feast begin !!!

We are one big family....

Ker Shin is giving out some token of appreaciation to the guests .


Karaeok Session !!! Y.E.A.H

Our group photo *peace*

by the way, every single pictures taken had been uploaded in the album, go grab them lar !!! ( sorry because only now i'm uploading them, my apologies.... )

Ending of Best Buddies Welcoming Party

Finally, Best Buddies Welcoming Party ended successfully. A big applause to Best Buddies members and friends who came to help and support us !!

A month of preparation for a three hours of event, it is really worth our effort and time. We were really grateful to those parents and NGOs who came to support us. They were very friendly, supportive and participative. Their trust and appreciation is a strong antidote for us to be more committed, and we will never want them to regret to join Best Buddies.

The climate of the event - Dance together with Buddies. I really enjoyed this precious moment. I felt so relaxed and i could dance freely. Although i can't dance as good as them, but it was fun to dance with them. If you were there, you would be impressed by their dancing skill. The dancing was fast, but they could catch up in just a second. Bravo, buddies !!

A good news for us - we could submit an article regarding this event to a reporter of Challenger magazine, and she will help us to publicize in that magazine. Wah...a golden offer for us. Best Buddies will be known by more people.

"You make a difference to me" - A "leaf" ribbon that we gave to someone who we thought made a difference in our life. When i passed the ribbon to them, they were touched and delighted. I also felt happy when people came and pinned on my shirt.

Good job, Best Buddies team

Words can't explain how much i appreciate those NGOs, parents, buddies and supporting friends who came to our party. Anyway, THANK YOU for your SUPPORT !

Best Buddies, we can do it !!! Keep up the spirit, let's work hard together as a team ...


Regards,

Hui Ru

Tea Time with Buddies

Attention to people who are interested to join Best Buddies!!

On 20th September 2008, we will have a party for Buddies, their Parents and NGOs. This party is organized by Best Buddies team, the venue is in Recital hall from 3:00pm till 6:00pm. Refreshment is provided.

Buddies, parents and NGOs are invited. They will be introduced what is Best Buddies. Most importantly, we will be able to get a chance to interact with buddies. Nonetheless, we cant forget our objective of party which is Getting Buddies to join our program, in order for us to form a friendship between college buddy and buddy.

Can't wait anymore... Games, performance, video showing, interactive session and etc are planned!!

Who are interested to come to the party? You may contact me, at 012-2993593 or email us at bestbudddies.ucsi@gmail.com

Remember, this is for people who would like to have a friendship with learning difficulties people..

Leadership Training 23th August 2008

This leadership training was organized by Malaysian Care, Friendship Club. Can you imagine that people with learning disability actually were the organizer for this event?? I really impressed by them.

So, Ker Shin and I managed to join their training. In the training, 50 people of learning disabled attended. They came from Ipoh, Penang, PJ, Kajang and KL. I was so excited and thrilled because i able to know them!!

They are determined, creative and participative. The training was emcompassed with story telling, balloon games, cat walk, and etc.

Do you able to pop through the ballon with a satay stick, but the ballon is not blust?? Do you know how?? The learning disable buddies taught me how to do...So great, the lesson really taught us "Nothing is impossible".

"Got ideas" encouraged the buddies to walk in different pattern. "Hee hee ya" is the sound we made to cheer them to participate. They are fantastic. I can't even think of any great ideas to walk, but they do!! It really showed their creativity.

Through this training, they learnt not to give up, teamwork, creativity and nothing is impossible. Buddies are independent, and they are approable. They are friendly and warmth. They willing to share their opinions with all of us.

Buddies, you are great. I love you.


Regards

Hui Ru

Best Buddies Disability Awareness Workshop 14th July 2008

Best Buddies Association is very new in UCSI and now, it is in full throttle since the start of May 2008. The mother organization, Best Buddies International is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships. It is well known overseas and has been established in many countries already. However for Malaysia, UCSI is the first college to host it. The UCSI Best Buddies had its first event on May 15th in partnership with Malaysian Care.

Last month Malaysian Care, a non-profit organization was invited to deliver a workshop on people with special needs. The workshop was made of interactive activities, among which some included being in the shoes of a disabled people. Some special needs persons were invited to share their views and additionally the event had videos, discussions and speeches. We were glad to receive many favorable responses from students who attended the workshop. The committee would encourage similar events in the future. We wish to thank our collaborators, Malaysian Care, Student Affairs and of course our advisor Ms. Ker Shin, Students Affairs and of course Malaysian Care.

For anyone who is interested to join Best Buddies, you are welcomed to give us a call at Hui Ru 012-2993593 or email at bestbuddies.ucsi@gmail.com

Prepared by Leena,
Secretary of Best Buddies

ALOHA !!

Aloha is a Hawaiian word to say "Hello"
In deeper meaning, Aloha is "I recognize the same breath of life within you as i have within, and wish to present from me". So, our recruitment drive on 23rd June 2008, being called as ALOHA.

Aloha - to create awareness to all the UCSI students about the existence of Best Buddies. We wanted to introduce Best Buddies to them, as well as recruit potential members to join our team.

The event encompassed games and slide presentation. The participants who were present enjoyed the event.

ALoha, to all the UCSI students

Best Buddies - it is all about friendship

Do you like to make friend? if yes, join us now!!