Self-Advocacy Society of Persons with Learning

December 2008 (For Private Circulation only)
nited
U
Voice
Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
Self-Advocacy Society of Persons with Learning Disabilities Selangor & Kuala Lumpur
Persatuan-Advokasi Diri Orang Bermasalah Pembelajaran Selangor & Kuala Lumpur (1235-05-7)
Impian Saya
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Saya ialah seorang ahli United Voice sejak tahun 2000. Pada tahun dulu saya menjadi
oleh Aslam bin Sulaiman
pekerja Employment Project di United Voice. Pengalaman ini memberi saya peluang
untuk berkerja. Impian saya, saya mahu jadi pekerja di GIANT Hyper Market. United
Voice telah mengaturkan satu temuduga untuk saya di GIANT tahun dulu. Tetapi
malangnya saya gagal. Saya sungguh kecewa.
Beberapa bulan lalu United Voice telah mangaturkan satu temuduga di GIANT. Saya
sudah diluluskan dan saya pergi training di GIANT Training Center di Subang Jaya.
Saya telah menjadi pekerja Giant Batu Caves pada bulan
Julai 2008, dalam percubaan. Tempat yang saya kerja
adalah 5km dari rumah saya. Saya memandu motorsikal
ke tempat kerja saya pada setiap hari. Saya telah jadi
pekerja tetap sejak 1hb Oktober 2008.
Aslam memandu motorsikal
Saya bersyukur dan gembira dalam dunia ini. Terima kasih kepada Dairy Farm dan
United Voice bagi saya kerja. Akhirnya saya minta supaya syarikat-syarikat swasta
lain ikut contoh Dairy Farm untuk beri kerja kepada orang yang ada masalah
pembelajaran seperti saya.
Kerja mengatur
barang-barang di GIANT
Syabas Dairy Farm(GIANT) dan United Voice saya capai impian saya.
Self-Advocacy Promotion
at SMK Sekolah Ampang Pecah
Kuala Kubu Bahru
by Wendy Yeong
M
L-R: Pn Hamidah, Wendy, Fadzillah, Intan & Shi Wei
Wendy sharing about working experience
y name is Wendy Yeong. I work in United Voice. My colleagues and I
went to Sekolah Menengah Ampang Pecah (SMAP) at Kuala Kubu Bahru
for Self-Advocacy promotion. I went with Shi Wei, Puan Fadzillah and
Intan. Intan and I presented a PowerPoint about Employment Project. Shi
Wei share about United Voice and the Disability Act. And then Intan shared
her experience. She likes Special Olympics so she can be healthy. Puan
Fadzillah shared about her
experience as a parent of a
child
with
learning
disabilities. I shared about
UV members who are
working in the open
employment and also about
my working experience
outside before I join United
Voice as a full time staff.
About 30 teachers attended
this event.
Disability Equality Training (DET)
by James Lim
for Carrefour Management Staff and MBJB in Johor Bahru
- A Training Sponsored by UNDP* and UPEN*
Self-advocacy, more about my friends and their
disabilities as well as my life story when I was younger
and what’s my disability. As soon as my session ended I
asked them “if there are any questions to ask”. There
were a few like do I have a girlfriend, am I married,
would I like a girlfriend, how old I am, etc. After a break
one of the Carrefour staff did an ice breaker. After the
ice-breaker it was Fairuz’s turn. After he did his
PowerPoint presentation, he had seven volunteers to
walk down the stairs and round the hotel blindfolded
with another person as a guide and back to the room.
After lunch we return back to the training room and now
it was Esther and Morley’s turn to tell the Carrefour staff
more about the Deaf and teach them sign language.
Top L-R: Swee Lan, Esther, James, Morley & MBJB officials
L-R: Anthony, Suri & Siew Chin
10th September
Swee Lan and I boarded a bus to Johor with two
others from Malaysian Association for the Blind
(MAB), Muhammad Fairuz and his assistant and
Pusat Majudiri ‘Y’ for the Deaf, Esther Wong & her
assistant Morley Ng. We left KL at 10am & reached
Johor about 2pm. We checked in to our hotel. Then
Swee Lan and I went down to grab a bite in the hotel
restaurant and Esther and Morley joined us a few
minutes later. Then we walked to another hotel to
meet up with Anthony Arokia, Sia Siew Chin, Fairuz
and his assistant. Anthony and Siew Chin arrived
two days ago. Then we went to a shopping mall
nearby by Beautiful Gate van. We spend a bit of time
observing and commenting on the accessibility and
the environment for people with disabilities in Johor
Bahru.
11th September
After breakfast someone picked us up to go to
another hotel for our first training session with the
management staff of Carrefour. Swee Lan started the
session on learning disabilities and after her it was
my turn. I told them about United Voice, what is
12th September
Today we are training officials from Majlis Bandaraya
Johor Bahru. As usual Swee Lan spoke first, then my
turn. After my session the MBJB staff asked some
questions about learning disabilities and personal stuff.
The importance of this training is to educate the officials
so they are able to understand and know how to help
people with disabilities in Johor.
A BIG thank you to UNDP and UPEN for sponsoring
these trainings in Johor Bahru.
James & Anthony testing the accessibility of a hotel
Participants from MBJB
Participants of Carrefour learning how to guide a blind person
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*UNDP (United Nation Development Programme)
UPEN (Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri Johor)
Fundraising Dinner 2008
by Eleanore D’Orville
Employees of UV Employment Project singing “Rasa Sayang”
Johari & Mr Sam Fong (R)
On
17 August 2008, United Voice held its
Fundraising Dinner at Butik Jalil Golf & Country
Resort. Many UV members, including me, turned up
for the dinner with their families. It was a fun
evening, as UV held its first choir with the
employees of UV Employment Project. The choir
members were Izzudin, Intan, Siti, Shikin, Sher Li,
Wai Han, Aida, Jonathan, Moses, Jennifer, Steven,
Leong Kit, Adil, Wendy, Albert, Aunty Fadzillah
and me. The choir was organized by a supporting
friend Adrian Cheah, and the song that was sung was
an old favorite named “Rasa Sayang”.
Johari presented Mr Sam Fong, the HR Director a plaque
and a painting by UV member, Seng Kit. Some of the
UV members working at GIANT included Alwin, Aslam
and Yi Wen.
Award plaque presented to
GCH Retail (M) Sdn Bhd
The “tree” & the “actress”
Brian Yim
Colonel Sulaiman (Aslam’s dad)
delivering his speech
We were also privileged to have Mr Brian John Yim
performed at our dinner. He performed an
instrumental song on a keyboard and sang 2 songs.
United Voice also gave out an award to GCH Retail
Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Giant Hypermarkets), for
providing employment for Persons with Learning
Disabilities throughout Malaysia! Aunty Mariah and
L-R:
Datin Fatimah Mariah,
Eleanore
& Aunty Susan
(Briev’s mom)
We’ve also had a lively MC, ‘Lively’ Larry who
provided us with some fun and games. One of the games
included a ‘Bollywood’ drama, acted out by some of the
audience. The ‘actress’ had to run to the stage and circle
around the ‘tree’. This drew laughter from the crowd.
Another game included ‘Name That Tune’, where music
clips are played, and anyone who knows the answer must
go to the front to answer. We had many lucky draws too.
The dinner was very successful, raising RM95,000 for
our Building Fund. United Voice wish to thank all those
who came and supported this event as well as others who
has help out one way or another. Thank You.
We would like to thank Ms. Ang
Hui Ming for being our Fundraising Coordinator (Oct ‘07 to Sept
‘08) to help coordinate all the
fundraising events, write proposals
to many corporate companies,
Embassies, organisations, foundations and individual donors.
Her dedication and commitment
has certainly been a great contribution to United Voice.
3
History of Employment Project
by Eugene Lau Boon Leng
T
he United Voice Employment Project took shape at the end of November 2002 when the UV Committee
was alarmed by the rising number of its members being either out of job or stuck at home after finishing
school without anything else. Quickly, an Employment Project Working Committee was set up by key UV
members and parents. The original working committee comprised of:
Members
1.Aida Rahayu
2.Basri Kamil
3.Deerick Lim
4. Kee Wai Han
5.Jonathan Lee
6.Koh Sher Li
7.Wong Leong Kit
8. Mohd Adil bin Zulkafli
Parents:
1.Connie Lee
2.Pn Hjh Kamariah Bt Hj Mohd Amin
Staff:
1. Eugene Lau Boon Leng
2. Yeo Swee Lan
3. Mettlida John (staff of Dignity & Services)
Jonathan Lee
We all started off with general items that were recyclable and
used it to create magnet, key chains and bookmarks prior to
being involved in Saori. We were operating from one
particular place mainly in Shah Alam sponsored by a kind
couple. We called the place UV Clubhouse. Employment
Project Working Committee meetings took place in both Pn
Kamariah’s home in Subang Jaya and UV Clubhouse.
Without stalling much time we got in touch with the New
Zealand High Commission and its’ officer, Cathie Muker who
recommended us to the High Commission. The New Zealand
High Commission gave us the startup grant for the
Employment Project. We want to thank the New Zealand High
Commission for the grant given to us to start off our income
generating project. During that time most of the work was
carried out in the former UV Clubhouse Office in Shah Alam
by May 2003.This project started off with 8 workers. Today,
we have 21 workers.
Year
Sales
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
RM20,000
RM40,000
RM52,000
RM61,000
RM74,000
RM91,000
No. of Workers
Employment Project workers at UV Clubhouse
8
8
15 by July
15
18
21
All workers are paid a basic salary, SOCSO, EPF
and annual bonus. They also receive a monthly
allowance of RM300 from the Social Welfare
Department. This allowance is entitled to employee
with disabilities who earn below RM1,200.
UV Employment Project is a growing Project with more support from:
Japan Embassy:
Pfizer:
Grant to purchase Refrigerator,
Bakery & Jewelry Classes and
sponsorship of equipments to start
these new projects
4
Hong Leong Foundation:
Digital Colour Printer
& Name Card Cutter
Designing Gift Kites for Hong Leong Bank
Johari and H.E. Masahiko Horie, the
Ambassador of Japan in Malaysia
NurAshikin
Sher Li
Izzuddin (top) & Briev
Basri
The number of workers
has increased after we
moved to a bigger
premises in Section 17,
Petaling Jaya in 2005
Alvin
Abid
Moses
Employment Project Products
General Cards
Magnets
Saori Products:
Coaster,
Keychains,
Pencil Case
Bookmarks
Festival Cards
Fundraising Dinner 2009
17th Mar 2009 (Tuesday), 7.30pm
Grand Ballroom, Sheraton Subang Hotel & Tower
Dinner Show by Phua Chu Kang (MediaCorp Artist)
This event is organised by a team of volunteers headed by Datin Joan Hoi. Please contact Yeo Swee Lan
at 03-79540701 or log on to www.unitedvoice.com.my if you wish to get more information about
United Voice Dinner 2009.
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Pertandingan Special Olimpiks
@ UNITEN
Oleh Intan Dzulaikah
N
ama saya Intan. Saya seorang Slow Leaner. Saya bekerja di UV.
Saya suka bersukan. Saya adalah member Special Olympik Selangor.
Pada 1hb November tahun ini saya sertai Special Olimpik Selangor
State Games di Uniten. Saya masuk acara lari 100m, lontar peluru dan
4X100m sama dengan Izzuddin, Clement dan Yudesh. Saya sangat
gembira. Ramai kawan-kawan saya jumpa dekat Uniten. Untuk acara
lontar peluru saya dapat nombor satu. Saya sangat gembira kerana saya
dapat pingat. Ini kali pertama saya masuk Special Olimpik. Ramai
kawan-kawan saya pun sertai pertandingan ini seperti Izzuddin,
Wendy, Pavala dan lain lain.
Flag bearers for Opening Ceremony
A total of 152 athletes from 10 NGOs, PDKs & schools participated in this event
UV team marching in. 16 UV members
participated in the State Games
L-R: Albert, Clement & Yudesh
Zen Lee (one of the torch bearers) with Dad
Aileen proud of her medals
6
UV’s 4X100m team: Clement, Yudesh, Izzuddin & Intan
Kegarisan, Sedia,.......
Intan (L) happy to receive her
medal from Moh Foong
Dinner
& Dance
Centro,
Dinner
& Dance atat
Centro,
Klang Klang
by Johari Bin Jamali
H
ello there! This year’s Dinner & Dance was held at Centro Mall,
Klang, Selangor organised by Day Spring Adventure Club on
November 14th 2009.
Adventure Club invited Self-Advocacy Groups and other NGOs from
the Klang Valley and also from other states. Bethany Self-Advocacy
Group came all the way from Teluk Intan. The president of Adventure
Club gave a speech followed by a dance presentation by their
members.
President of Adventure Club, Khor Hwai Yee giving his speech
We had a splendid time. Adventure Club misses something, the Best
Dress. But never mind we had a fabulous time and the food was nice.
They also had the best dancer competition. The space was limited we
should have a bigger space for the dancing. We dance & dance
throughout the night. All of us had a fun night and I liked the hall.
Dinner & Dance ended around 10.30pm. We say good bye sleep tight
& sweet dreams. Syabas to the leaders of Dayspring Adventure Club
for organising a successful Dinner & Dance!
Dance presentation
by Adventure
Club members
Irfan, Nurul & Johari
Nadia & Jennifer
Friendship Club members
Izzuddin enjoying his dance
L-R: Steven,
Khong Weng, Daisy,
Cynthia & Alex
Steven & Irfan are happy with the door gifts
7
Leadership Training
by Teoh Hooi Ting
- organised by Friendship Club
Friendship Club organised a Leadership Training on 23
rd
of August 2008 at Malaysian Care office. Leaders and
supporting friends of different self-advocacy group like:
Action Club (PJ), Bethany Self Advocacy Club (Teluk
Intan), Divine Voice (Ipoh), Dragon Club (Kajang),
Friendship Club (KL), Dayspring Adventure Club
(Klang), Mutiara Voice Club (Penang) and United Voice
attended the training.
The training started at 9:30pm. Mr Roger was the speaker
followed by Mr Jeremy who did the afternoon session.
Both of them are from Lion’s Club. In the beginning, Mr
Roger started with a lot of rules for the training session.
After lunch, we had an interesting session by Mr
Jeremy because most of the topic was taught
through games. We learnt and played a lot games.
One of message brought out from the games is that
cooperation is very important in a team. Everybody
also actively participated in the games.
The training program ended with the distributing of
certificate of attendance by Miss Jean Teo also
from Lion’s Club. I want to say thank you to
Friendship Club for organizing the event and
Lion’s Club for providing us the speakers.
After that he gave us some stories with the related topics,
then everybody were divided into small groups to discuss
and share about the topics. We need to answer the
questions that was given by the speaker and shared with
everybody about how we felt, what had we learnt and
how to improve ourselves based on what we learned from
the stories. This session told us that we should not give up
easily and always think positive in whatever we do.
During lunch hour, all participants separately went to
different restaurants near Malaysian Care to have lunch.
It was a nice hour of fellowshipping with each other from
different self-advocacy groups during lunch hour.
About 40 participants attended the training
Reflections
David: “Look I manage to poke a stick
through the balloon”
Esther (L) and Roger
*Photos courtesy of Malaysian Care
United Voice Fundraising Fun Fair
United Voice will be organising a Fundraising Fun Fair on 14th
March 2009 at Bandar Utama Community Hall. We need volunteers,
parents, supporting friends and corporate partners to sponsor stalls
and of course to sell coupons for this event.
Please call Yeong Moh Foong at 03-7954 0701 if you wish to
sponsor stalls or purchase coupons. For more info please visit our
website at www.unitedvoice.com.my
United Voice
Address: 603, Jalan 17/12, 46400, Petaling Jaya Tel: 03-79540701 Fax: 03-7958 8069
Email: unitedvoiceinfo@gmail.com Website: http://www.unitedvoice.com.my