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

A speech given by Wai Keen

Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen. This is my first time of giving a speech to you all with my honour of pleasure.

These evening I would like to thanks to my best buddies from UCSI, had brought me up to expose different things and environment as while as teaching me of how to be smart and more alert at buying things in the shop and places too.

I have great fun with my other friends and fellows from Dignity and Services who had warm-up my heart, I really had a pleasure to Ms Mettilda John and Fendi Edip leaving of spending a social lifestyle; and for a special care for handicapped people.

This evening I had full of pleasure in front of the crowd standing in front of me with a smiling face.

I would like to thanks my parents who had organized a trip to Genting Highlands because this is my first time coming here to celebrate my 22nd birthday with all my friends. Thank you so much and enjoy the great fun there evening.

A speech given by Wai Keen, who joined Best Buddies and has paired up with Omer. It was our pleasure for being invited to his Birthday party in Awana Genting Resort.

His speech has touches all our heart. He spoke wholeheartedly. I could sense that he was nervous to speak in front of many people, at last he completed his speech with a great applause from us.

He was very kind to give me his script of speech. Here I am to post his speech to share with everyone. My wish is to acknowledge his talent, as well as appreciate his love toward us, Best Buddies.

Thank you, Wai Keen.


Best Regards

Teo Hui Ru

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'

New Straits Times --> Best Buddies bond with kids

Dear all, check out the recent Best Buddies' event published by New Straits Times.

Click on the link -->
http://www.ucsi.edu.my/news/innews/2009/03Oct2009NewStraitsTimes.jpg



Regards,
Best Buddies Team

Testimonial from Dream

Dream

They are simple, they will never pretend;
They are cute, laugh with a childlike heart;
They are unexpectable, keep them in a place is a hard job;
They are sweet, make your heart warm with a speechless hug.

When we arrived first at the car station of One Utama, buddies did not trust, even did not like us sometime. However the thing changed when we reached Awana Hotel together. When we had the handkerchief, puzzle and colour games. They seemed open their heart to us. I am really happy with this. After games we sang and danced joyfully. The most touchable thing was that Charmaine actually hugged and said to me:"Dream, you are the best buddy of me."

Just a small action; a simple word; made my tiredness and upset disappeared totally.

The second day of trip, we celebrated Wai Keen's birthday. He gave us a speech which make me want to cry. And of course cry happily :D.

In conclusion, this is a memorable gathering that we have seen the other sides of buddies. And make them close to us.

In fact, I believe that not only the buddies is changing, we ourselves got improved in different ways when playing and taking care of them. Best Buddies, keep it up.

You are the best.

Thanks to Waikeen's family and D&S society.


Written by,
Dream Huang
Best Buddies Member

Kite Flying Trip at Kepong Metropolitan Park

Best Buddies had organized a group outing last Saturday. Thanks to Dignity & Services (D&S) for their great help to allow their buddies (people with intellectual disabilities) to interact with our members.

Let's the pictures make the talking. By the way, we had a kite flying session in Kepong Metropolitan Park. Our first attempt, yet it is fun and meaningful

More photos could be viewed in our photo gallery.

Regards,

Best Buddies Team

Ice Breaker - Snowball Fight

Snowball fight - is fun, interactive, and sporting game during winter

There is no winter in Malaysia, but we had an ice breaking game called as snowball fight. How we did that for all the Best Buddies members?

First of all, all the members are requested to write 3 interesting things about themselves. Later on, everyone is instructed to crumple the paper, and make it like a snowball.

We are divided into 2 groups. We need to throw the snowball to the opposite team. After a few round of fight, each of us will need to pick up the nearest snowball.

Lastly, we have to read out the interesting things written by the people, and guess who is the person.

Benefits: we got to know each other one step closer. It is also a very good exercise for all of us.

Try it out for your clubs !


Best Regards,

Best Buddies Team

Gathering for existing and new members at Manna Cafe, Giant Cheras

New semester has started, Best Buddies is also getting new members. Thus, is time for all the members to meet up. Total we had 14 people to join this dinner.

It is not a meeting definitely. It is a platform for us to know each other. We have a quality time together, yet we don't forget to update each other our tentative upcoming events.

Laughter is a way to enhance relationship, it is always true. We laughed and joked a lot, and we really enjoyed our dinner. The food is fantastic. The chef in fact is African, but the restaurant owned by a Chinese. Can have second attempt next time.

Thank you for joining Best Buddies

Looking forward to work together with each other.

Interviewed by China Press

This time, Best Buddies was featured by China Press, one of the chinese newspaper in Malaysia.

Click on the picture, and read more about the news

"I See You, Kawanku"
Finally, Best Buddies has been seen

BB Got Talent by Malaysian Today & The Star

It is surprising that BB Got Talent 09 had been published in newspaper

Special thanks to The Star & Malaysian Today

"Special Talents Shine" by The Star

"UCSI University's Nite of Buddies" by Malaysian Today

Charmaine and I : Movie Outing

Now, let me officially introduce my buddy. Her name is Charmaine Chan, currently 20 years old. She has down syndrome. She is always looking so cute and lovey in people' eye.

Best Buddies' one-to-one friendship starts on April 2009 officially. But, I got to know her last year around September 08. This was my 2nd time to bring her out for a movie. This time, we watched a movie called "Battle of Terra". It is an animation movie, and we enjoyed it.

Before the show started, we went for arcade. We played basketball shooting, and then she played "kungfu" on the play machine. I was surprised. She played till level 8, the last stage. I always died at level 1, but she pulled it to the end. Then, the first time i knew that she learnt tae kwan do. I only can jokingly said "charmaine, you got to protect me now" haha..

Yes, she is always cheerful. She said so many times "thank you" for bringing her out. She even said "I won't disturb you because I know you are busy with studies". She is caring. She always looking forward for the next outing. I hope I could have more time for her too.

Hope our friendship will grow

Visitation of Ms Valerie Vitale

I thought of uploading this photo because it served an inspiration and motivation for Best Buddies Malaysia to strive for the best. Why I said so?

Firstly, Ms Valerie Vitale, who is Best Buddies International Programs Director brought Best Buddies to Malaysia. We, people in Malaysia could have a chance to make a difference in people with intellectual disabilities' lives.

Secondly, she visited us just 1 week before our massive event, BB Got Talent 09. Her visitation has cleared out our doubt and confusion about Best Buddies, and also her compliment on Best Buddies has boost out our confidence in making Best Buddies shine in the future.

You know what? Best Buddies Malaysia could feature our article in Best Buddies International newsletter. Such a great news for all of us. Our chapter will be known worldwide.

Do come and join us for this journey of enhancing the lives of people with intellectual disabilities with us.

Thank you, Ms Valerie Vitale

Thank you, Ms Ker Shin (program director of BB Malaysia) for holding on with us to improve BB chapter in Malaysia

Last but not least, thank you to my BB members who have been so faithful in Best Buddies.


Love,

Hui Ru

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

News : BB Got Talent 2009

Dear all,

You may log in to BB Got Talent 2009 - the news about BB Got Talent 2009 covered by UCSI University


Best Regards

Best Buddies Team

BB Got Talent

On the 2oth of March 2009, BEST BUDDIES Malaysia had organised the very first talent show, "BB Got Talent" and this took place at UCSI University, Auditorium. The main objective for this event is to let our buddies to show everybody their inborn and incredible talent in them, thus giving them the chance to perform in front of the crowd, also building up their confidence.

People started to come and before entering the Auditorium for the show, they were invited to have some light refreshments provided and have some chit-chatting sessions with each others. Everyone arrived looking excited and the eagerness to watch the buddies perform was written on their faces. There were also a lot of them who buy the ticket on the spot, as the brought along their family and their friends too. While having their piece of Samosa and curry puffs, they were looking and reading at the posters displayed at the corner there. There were basically information about Autism and the National Autism Society of Malaysia (NASOM), to let the public understand the important role of NASOM is the society and what is Austism.

The talent show began around 8pm and started off with the limelight was on our two lovely emcees of the event, Nitiakaran and Leena. Followed by the speech delivered by our Chairman of this "BB Got Talent", Ms Thurga. Without wasting much time, Mr Sudesh was invited to deliver his speech and thus officially start the talent show.

First of all, the show began by our very first guest performance - Adeline Chua and Steve Lam.

The second guest performance is by a group of UCSI International student, from Boswania.

Thirdly, the last group performance were the children from NASOM, dressing up colourfully .

There were 14 of them, YES !!!

A number of 14 buddies were showing everyone their talent on stage,, they are nothing different from everyone of us here, they can sing very well, remembered the lyrics; they can dance so well until the crowd were so excited and cheer for them; they can recite poem and impressed the judges as well as the audience; they can draw spontaneously and came out with a colourful piece of art; they can play musical instruments like piano, violin gracefully. Best Buddies had organised this talent show and also a competition, creating a memorable moments for them as they know they are just like us, having the opportunity to have fun and perform on stage in front of all the audience.

Another attraction of the event is the two lucky draw sessions. Varieties of goods were given out to those lucky one, there were GSC free complimentary tickets, tea-set, mugs, soft toys, slow cooker, etc.

The response of the night was very much satisfying and we received positive feedbacks plus some words of encouragement from different people. This is one of the biggest event organised by Best Buddies Malaysia here in UCSI, one of the successful and grand event since Best Buddies is brought in to Malaysia. We are going to have such event again and hopefully to make it an annually event. Lots of improvements still needed and we really appreaciate the help & support we recieved from people all around us, THANK YOU VERY MUCH .