SMARTER Brunei Campaigns To Raise Fund For BACA

Bandar Seri Begawan - With the launch of World Autism Awareness Day at the RIPAS hospital on April 2, the Child Development Centre - of the Ministry of Health and Special Education Unit (UPK) held its 4th exhibition at the-Hua Ho Petani Mall in Tutong Saturday.

"Since its inception in September 2001, many of SMARTER programmes have concentrated on academics and independent living skills. The children who joined then have now grown into teenagers," said SMARTER President, Malai Hj Abdullah Hj Malai Othman.

"Because our children are growing, we have to work harder to keep ahead and develop programmes and facilities for these teenagers.

"The programme for teenagers will expand on vocational skills training with the intention to equip them with suitable skills to seek employment when they reach adulthood.

"Employment will either be with businesses in the community or with SMARTER-run businesses. For example, these teenagers will provide repair services for items donated to the SMARTER Autism shop.

"Other vocational skills training will include car services, woodwork, air-conditioner services, industrial work, office work, janitorial services and laundry services.

"Individuals with Autism sometimes develop exceptional skills in certain areas like art, music and mathematics. Another important task we will undertake will be the identification, encouragement and development of these skills.

"However, due to constraints of space at our current building, this new programme needs to be set up at another centre, which will be called BACA (Brunei Autism Centre for Adults)."

SMARTER fund-raising campaign on the "7-Hill Charity Challenge" is targeted to raise B$70,000 for the BACA centre.

The fund will go towards the initial setup cost, which includes equipment, materials and training services.

All enquiries regarding donations or details of the charity event can be forwarded to SMARTER Office: (2661830), Malai Hj Abdullah (8605629), Hj Roslan (8773310), Hajijah (8734427) or Maj Mohd Talip (8865646). -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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