| Achong Tanjong |
THE Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei will celebrate the 10th World Autism Awareness Day with a charity walk-and-cycle event on Sunday, April 2.
After a warm-up exercise led by Fitness Zone at 6.30am, the day’s activities will proceed with a 16km Charity Walk from the SMARTER EDGE Centre in Kampong Mata-Mata to the SMARTER BACA Gift Centre in Sungai Hanching, which will also marks the 16th anniversary of SMARTER Brunei’s establishment.
This will be followed by a 100km Cycling Challenge from the SMARTER EDGE Centre to the SMARTER BACA Gift Centre.
Speaking at the media conference yesterday, Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, President of SMARTER Brunei, said that the walk-and-cycle event’s route from the SMARTER EDGE Centre to the SMARTER BACA Gift Centre represents the Individuals with Autism’s (IWA) seamless journey from childhood into adulthood and old age.
IWAs and their families as well as other participants who wish to participate in the shorter course (for the charity walk segment) can join in on the last leg of the walk, which will begin at Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan Science College to SMARTER BACA Gift Centre, he added.
He said that this year, SMARTER Brunei will be collaborating – for the first time – with three ministries playing major roles in the lives of IWAs: the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
The Ministry of Health provides the assessment, diagnosis, referral of, as well as continuous medical welfare support of IWAs.
Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman (R), President of SMARTER Brunei and staff posing with the event T-shirt, certificate and goodies to be given away to participants. – ACHONG TANJONG
The Ministry of Education, through the Special Education Unit works to ensure the IWAs have equal access to primary and secondary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning (in compliance with UNCRPD Article 25 and CRC Article 29, which stipulates that IWAs have a right of education directed towards their personal interests, talents, etc).
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, meanwhile, through its Welfare Department, ensures that everyone including IWAs will be provided with all the basic necessities for their welfare and wellbeing as they transition into adulthood and old age.
The last day to register for the event is March 31.
Application forms can be obtained at the SMARTER Brunei Centre, Ministry of Education (Special Education Unit), Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (Community Development Department), Ministry of Health (Corporate Communications), Jollibee branches and Fitness Zone.
All registered participants are entitled to a chance to win lucky draw prizes during the event’s closing ceremony at the SMARTER BACA Gift Centre.
The closing ceremony will also see the launch of the Fit4Lift programme by Fitness Zone; the handing over of donation cards to 100 various companies, embassies, government agencies and ministries; presentation of certificates of appreciation to all sponsors; and the handing over of donation boxes to Jollibee Brunei – which will be placed at all their 14 branches.
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