| Achong Tanjong |
THE Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei has raised a total of $28,194.89 from the recent World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) celebration – the 10th in Brunei, which was held on April 2, 2017.
This was highlighted by Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, the President of SMARTER Brunei yesterday at a certificate of appreciation presentation ceremony held at SMARTER BACA Gift Centre in Sungai Hanching, Jalan Muara.
The ceremony was held to acknowledge the efforts of all stakeholders, sponsors, volunteers and participants for making the event a success.
Malai Haji Abdullah in his brief speech expressed gratitude and appreciation to all involved in the event. He said SMARTER Brunei has been in existence for 16 years now.
“During this time we have experienced and faced challenging situations, especially with regard to finances. In terms of services however, SMARTER has been progressing very well,” he said.
The president also gave thanks to Allah the Almighty for the event’s success and the funds raised.
He noted that 67 out of the 109 donation cards distributed were returned during the event.
He expressed hope that other companies that have received the donation cards will return them within this month for auditing purposes.
This year’s WAAD celebration, with the United Nation theme ‘Towards Autonomy and Self-Determination’, was a collaborative effort between SMARTER Brunei and three major ministries playing major roles in the lives of Individuals with Autism (IWA).
Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman, the President of SMARTER Brunei, in a group photo with major stakeholders, sponsors and volunteers of the World Autism Awareness Day celebration in Brunei. – ACHONG TANJONG
These three are: the Ministry of Health – which provides the assessment, diagnosis, referral, and continuous medical care of IWAs; the Ministry of Education’s Special Education Unit – which complies with Article 25 of the UNCRPD to ensure IWAs have equal access to primary and secondary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning, and the CRC Article 29 to ensure education is directed towards the best interests of the IWAs, geared to their personal interests, talents and other aptitudes; and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through its Welfare Department, which ensures that everyone including IWAs are provided with all the basic needs for their welfare as they transition into adulthood and old age.
This year marks the first time SMARTER Brunei and the three ministries have worked together to organise the WAAD celebration.
Among the activities organised for the celebration were a 16km Charity Walk from SMARTER EDGE in Mata-Mata to BACA in Sungai Hanching – signifying SMARTER Brunei’s 16th anniversary; and a 100km Cycling Challenge, also beginning its course from SMARTER EDGE and ending at BACA – signifying the IWAs growing into old age.
The April 2 walk-and-cycle event was jointly launched by Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Suyoi bin Haji Osman, the Minister of Education; Pehin Datu Lailaraja Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Haji Awang Halbi bin Haji Mohd Yussof, the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports; Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Zulkarnain bin Haji Hanafi, the Minister of Health; and Dato Paduka Haji Mohammad Alimin bin Haji Abdul Wahab, Chairman of the Council on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (MKOKU).
SMARTER Brunei is a non-government organisation (NGO) run by parents and family members for parents and family members with IWAs, providing care and support for these individuals to ensure they transition seamlessly from childhood to old age.
The family support body has been celebrating WAAD since 2008.
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