Thousands Join Walk-For-Cause Events
By Sobrina Rosli

Bandar Seri Begawan - After weeks of good food during the Hari Raya festive season, it was a welcome change for Bruneians to participate in two walkathon events held separately by the Education Ministry and Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Cacat (Kaca) yesterday.

The ministry held its walkathon in conjunction with the Teachers Day celebration while Kaca's was part of its 20th anniversary celebration which began last month.

Thousands joined the two events, making them truly family, affairs Kaca in an association for special deeds children aged between four and 12 attracted 1,000 people to its walkathon.

Kids walked alongside their parents, volunteers and senior government health officials. Participants assembled at Taman Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien where the 1.6-km walkathon kicked off.

Health Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awg Suyoi Osman and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Dewa Major General (R) Dato Seri Pahlawan Awg Mohammad Daud led the walkathon.

Abdul Alim Osman, the event's organising committee chairman, said that the walkathon was aimed to foster good relations between the association and the public, and raise funds for its programs.

"We plan to organise about 10 programs and activities spread out till next year in conjunction with our 20th anniversary. "We hope to raise enough fund to hold a seminar which would be very useful for parents and teachers involved in for children with special needs. We really hope the public will support us on this," he said.

Kaca has two branches, one in Pulaie catering to more than 50 children while its Tutong centre has more than 25. Wards at Kaca centres are exposed to socialisation skills, daily living skills and preparation for school. Parents are not obliged to pay for the programs offered.

Meanwhile, about 3,000 teachers and students joined the walkathon organised by the Education Ministry.

The male participants went on a 5-km walk while the women completed a 3-km race.

"This annual event is part of efforts to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as collecting donations for the orphans and welfare fund which we had very good responses this morning," said Ali Ismail, head of extra curricular activities at the ministry.

Education Minister Pehin Orang Kaya Seri Lela Dato Seri Setia Dato Dr Awg Abdul Rahman Dato Setia Mohamed Taib also joined in the walkathon.  -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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