| Ishan Ibrahim |
THE President of the Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei, President Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, has set up a donation hotspot at Citis Square in Berakas, with the support of Citis Square management, Dato Victor Lai and Pengiran Haji Salleh bin Pengiran Haji Besar.
Malai Haji Abdullah said that the donation campaign would run for three months.
“The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between SMARTER Brunei and the Citis Square management enables us to install donation boxes at Citis Square, where the public can donate their used items or cash,” he said.
“The used items will be available to buy at our public Gala Sale on November 5-6, to raise cash. We urgently need funds to sustain our organisation and to maintain our class-leading services to people with autism.
“2016 has been a difficult year for our organisation, financially. We have to downsize our team, and at the moment we cannot hire more staff to help with our operations. Hopefully, through this latest effort, we can raise the much-needed cash. We just cannot hope for the best, so we have to do something. If we wait too long for something better to happen, we run the risk of closing down, and we cannot do that. We cannot close down. Our services to people with autism must continue.”
Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, President of SMARTER Brunei and Citis Square management, Dato Victor Lai and Pengiran Haji Salleh bin Pengiran Haji Besar launching the donation campaign. – ISHAN IBRAHIM
He added that he appreciated the agreement made by the Citis Square management, and hoped that other companies and organisations would follow suit.
The campaign will be extended beyond the three month-period if it generates positive responses among the general public.
Dato Victor Lai said that the collaboration with SMARTER Brunei is part of their contribution to society, in particular people with autism-related issues.
During the three-month period, the boxes at Citis Square will be under tight security with CCTVs, and the funds will be collected every two weeks.
SMARTER Brunei is a non-profit organisation for the support and education of autistic individuals. It is in urgent need of funding in order to continue. Members of the public, as well as private companies and organisations, are most welcome to make donations and contributions.
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