Aziz Idris & Daniel Lim
Over 120 activities were simultaneously held across all four districts yesterday, for the annual ‘Day of Action’ (DOA) Campaign to mark International Volunteer Day 2020.
Spearheaded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS), the main focal points of the large-scale nationwide campaign were the Jubilee Park and Taman Perayaan in the Temburong District.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin, the guest of honour, toured exhibition booths and witnessed several volunteering works such as pot-painting activities and the Mini Lake Bridge (Jambatan Mini Tasik) in Belalong, as well as the cleaning of the lake area using kayaks.
This was followed by the flagging off of a four-wheel-drive convoy for a donation drive project (Konvoi Sumbangan Projek Titian Amal).
The minister then proceeded to Taman Perayaan for a cleaning campaign and the placement of signage, in conjunction with the DOA Campaign 2020.
He also toured booths and joined in several fun activities set up by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), government agencies and private companies.
In the Belait District, the activities were attended by Permanent Secretary (Administration, Finance and Estate) at the MCYS Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal bin Pengiran Haji Mahmud.
Among those in his contingent were President of the Minda Youth Movement and Chairman of the DOA events in the Belait District Haji Abdul Afiq bin Zainuddin and Head of Youth and Sports Department Belait District Branch Mohd Shahjohan bin Mohd Shari, as well as senior officers and staff from the MCYS.
The day began at the Seria Energy Recreational Park (SERP), where booths were set up by volunteers from the Brunei Shell Petroleum Company Sdn Bhd (BSP), who also invited special needs students for various activities.
Following the visit to SERP, the contingent made their way to the Mumong Sports Complex, where sporting clinics and workshops were held alongside sepak takraw, silat and table tennis.
A workshop was also conducted at the sports complex, for swimmers of varying skills, from beginner to competition levels.
The contingent’s next stop was the Youth Centre in Belait, where of groups and agencies showcased their talents and products, including Pusat Bahagia Eric Goh, PERTIWI Association and the Senior Citizens Activity Centre (PKWE).
After visiting the booths, Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal cut a cake specially prepared by the PERTIWI Association, to commemorate the occasion.
The contingent then made its way to the Belait District Museum where Belait District Scouts Association (PPDB) members were viewing the exhibitions on display and conducted a cleaning campaign on the premises.
Pengiran Mohd Amirrizal also interacted with the PPDB Cub Scouts, conveying words of advice to encourage and inspire the next generation of volunteers.
The activities continued into the afternoon, with a Fardhu Kifayah Project at the Kampong Pandan Mosque in Kuala Belait, conducted and led by Haji Abdul Afiq.
In Tutong District, the main event at Dataran Warisan in Kampong Keriam was attended by Permanent Secretary at the MCYS Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan, who participated in a two-kilometre brisk walk, before flagging off a cycling expedition around Pekan Tutong.
Among the activities were flower competitions, dastar (headgear) and sinjang decorations, roti-canai making, children’s colouring contests and exhibition booths.
Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan then visited Bukit Bendera Tutong for a colouring activity at a local landmark, before moving on to the Tutong District Youth Centre for a String Project.
The tour continued at the Tutong Sports Complex for an aerobics session, along with silat and karate do demonstrations, before moving to Cempaka Complex for the Youth Bazaar and finally to Kampong Telisai, to witness the Community Programme (cleaning the homes of the elderly).
In the Brunei-Muara District, the DOA Campaign was held at the Bali Pitstop parking area, Tungku Link, with a focus on health and fitness, including an aerobics session by HSN Fitness and in-line skating clinic set up by In-line Skate Brunei, Ril Skates, 2pie.Bn and Duktur Skate.
The activities were attended by Permanent Secretary (Community and Culture) at the MCYS Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari, who also flagged off the Cycling Team event and toured exhibitions organised by the participants of the Malam Minggu Pusat Belia (MMPB).
International Volunteer Day is a mandate from the United Nations (UN), held every December 5, as a unique opportunity for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts; and to share and promote their work among their communities, non-governmental organisations, private companies and government agencies.
This year’s International Volunteer Day celebration aims to coordinate activities in jointly carrying out volunteer work, as well as in appreciation of the services and contributions provided by volunteers and volunteering activities.