Raising Funds For Smarter Centres
By Izam S. Ya'akub

Bandar Seri Begawan - A kayak expedition set out from the Damuan Recreational Park to Serasa Beach yesterday morning, organised by the Society for the Management of Autism Related Issues in Training, Education, Resources (Smarter), to help raise funds for the two Smarter centres in the Sultanate as well as general awareness of autism.

On hand to launch the expedition was guest of honour Sarbini Hj Ali, Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health.

Eighty participants, comprising members of Smarter, Youth and Sports Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and Brunei Youth Association as well as Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) staff took part in the event, of members from SMARTER, the Youth and Sports Department, Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Brunei Youth Association and staff from Hongkong Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC). HSBC staff also volunteered to assist on land logistics throughout the entire event.

President of Smarter Malai Hj Abdullah bin Hj Malai Othman highlighted in his opening remarks that information and techniques to address and manage autistic individuals were scattered, uncoordinated and limited.

However, since the inception of Smarter in September this year, two centres have since been established in Kuala Belait and Sengkurong.

The society, which is made up of parents, family members and friends, aims to compliment and assist the government in looking after autistic children, while supporting the government's vision of enhancing family institution.

But Smarter centres are currently faced with a difficult situation as the cost of maintaining the two centres are over $10,000 a month; they need to raise funds or face the threat of closure.

In response to Smarter's financial trouble, a representative from Halliburton yesterday morning presented a $1,000 donation to the organisation. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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