| Ishan Ibrahim |
AUTISM is one of the least understood mental disorders in society.
The fight against the disorder has been given a timely boost as far as recognition is concerned and much of this is due to the professional and relentless efforts by the country’s premier support group, Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei.
To make this disability more recognisable and acceptable, the Times Square Shopping Centre launched a celebration for the 9th World Autism Awareness Day yesterday.
The launch by the guest of honour, Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, was also attended by the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, Haji Mohd ‘Abdoh bin Dato Seri Setia Haji Abdul Salam; Ambassador of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam, Craig Allen; Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam, Nurul Qomar; President of Brunei Tennis Club, Hambali bin Pehin Orang Kaya Shahbandar Dato Seri Paduka Haji Mohd Salleh, representatives from foreign emissaries, a representative from NBT Brunei and parents of autistic children.
The President of SMARTER Brunei, Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, in a welcoming address touched on the brief history of his organisation and lauded the strong support by the Minister of Home Affairs, especially in the utilisation of a bungalow in Sengkurong Clinic in 2004 before SMARTER Brunei moved to a purpose-built facility in Kampong Mata-Mata on May 1, 2015.
Minister of Home Affairs, Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong poses for a photo with one of the children.
Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Kerna Dato Seri Setia (Dr) Haji Awang Abu Bakar bin Haji Apong, the Minister of Home Affairs; Craig Allen, Ambassador of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam and Nurul Qomar, Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia to Brunei Darussalam, along with Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, President of SMARTER Brunei, at the celebration of the 9th World Autism Awareness Day yesterday
The Minister of Home Affairs joining the warm-up session before the walkathon. PHOTOS: BAHYIAH BAKIR
The Minister of Home Affairs and President of SMARTER Brunei leading the walkathon
On April 1, 2008, SMARTER Brunei celebrated the first World Autism Awareness Day which followed the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 62/139 tabled by Qatar that declared April 2 as World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD).
The first celebration in Brunei Darussalam, which was on April 2, 2008, was made memorable by the opening of the SMARTER Autism Shop in Wisma Jaya by a minister; the shop is still in operation, providing income and employment for autistic adults.
Malai Haji Abdullah also praised and acknowledged the donations, contributions and efforts from many organisations such as NBT Brunei who has allowed their venue from the NBT Roadshow to be used for SMARTER Brunei and sponsored 500 commemorative shirts to be sold to the public.
He spoke of Entrek (B) Sdn Bhd who are organising a fund-raising campaign for SMARTER Brunei that will commence from April 2 to June 30, where the public can make contributions to their donation boxes placed at 14 Jollibee branches.
The President of SMARTER Brunei also praised the contribution by the US Embassy for a $12,000 grant which made it possible for SMARTER Brunei to establish the Washington Bakery, and the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah which gave $10,000 seed money to SMARTER Brunei to start their SMARTER Autism Shop, as well as the Coffee Bean Brunei for helping SMARTER Brunei sell their cookies in four of their outlets.
He also gave special thanks to Sharifah Mariana for availing them to supply NBT their cookies to serve their customers. The event also saw the signings of the minister and others on the Autism poster in support of the awareness for the disability.
Fourteen donation boxes were also presented to Angelito R Perias, Operations Manager of Jollibee from SMARTER Brunei. One of the highlights of the ceremony was the Autism Walk when the minister led a short stroll with the others that also included parents and their autistic children.
The walk was within the vicinity of the Berakas shopping complexes that ended at the Brunei Tennis Club. The Minister of Home Affairs proceeded to cut the ribbon at the end of the walk to officiate the two-day garage sale held at the parking area of the Brunei Tennis Club.
This fourth charity garage sale includes clothes and household items, the proceeds of which will go to SMARTER Brunei.
The post 9th World Autism Awareness Day launched appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.