Lasallian Friends in Touch

FT2!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 03:21:00 +0000

Hey guys,

FT 2 is just around the corner!! have you informed Isaac of your attendance yet? if not, please do so ASAP by sending an email to aisaac610@gmail.com telling him of your attendance as well as how many

Just a sneak peak at the programs in store for you for FT2 :)

Saturday morning will see FT members having fun doing ice breakers and energizers and getting to know fellow FT members from all around Malaysia :D

After that, experience Ipoh life with some Jalan-Jalan Cari Makan, where FT members can go around taking pictures, and find sumptuous meals, with a catch :D

At night, FT members will be treated to a Tayangan LaSalleCentre, followed by thought provoking questions and discussions.

The whole weekend promises to be exciting, illuminating, and FUN!

So what are you waiting for? Come for FT2!!

See you there! :D

FT Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 07:55:00 +0000

Wassup folks!

Hope all is good with everyone.

Yupp, its time for FT2 and you are invited to join us.

Details as follows:

Date : 13 & 14 August, 2011

Venue : La Salle Centre, Ipoh

Theme : ‘CHILLAX’

What’s the weekend about? It’s a time to Chill, Chat, Sweat and find some food to eat. We will have time for a movie screening and some discussions that would bring some food for thought and some reflection .

So take note of the dates and join us for FT2.

If you are interested in attending, please confirm your attendance for FT2 by August 6 to Isaac :)

Ciao and see you in Ipoh on 13 August!!

Nothern Regionals 2011

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 06:32:00 +0000

From the South, we move on to the North to see what our OTs have to say about the Northern Regional Lasallian Convention :)

I found it a very challenging experience. It was a good opportunity for me to test my people-skills as well as being able to communicate with people. It also gave me the opportunity to learn about what fellow Lasallians think.

I also had the chance to get to know the senior FT members better, like Jason, Kok Loong and everyone. It also gave me a better perception and view of the Lasallian mission.
-- Kenny Liew, OT

~~~~

So there I was onlining one night when suddenly I received a text message from Isaac inviting me to be the co-chairperson for the Northern Regionals along with my partner-in-crime, Kok Loong. After quickly checking dates and exchanging a few SMS-es with Kok Loong, I accepted the invite, hoping my uni wouldn't schedule any final exam papers the day after the convention (They didn't. Kok Loong wasn't so lucky though).

Being a chairperson for a convention was definitely a different experience compared to being a normal OT. While a normal OT usually only has to focus on his/her own sub-com, a chairperson needs to actively know what's going on with each and every sub-com. It was also a learning experience for me as it gave me a chance to gain a deeper understanding on how each of the sub-coms worked, especially the sub-coms that I had never had the chance to be involved in.

Being the chairperson also made me realize how relatively old I was. The Organizing Team for this year's Northern was one of the youngest I had ever seen and for a vast majority of them, it was their first time organizing a Lasallian convention. I must say that considering the youthfulness of the team, they did a impressive job organizing the convention. It was wonderful to see their dynamism and exuberance in getting the job done.

I must congratulate them for taking the step up from being delegates to being OTs and in keeping with the theme, Forward with Faith, I hope they keep the faith well into the future. Faith in themselves, faith in service, and faith in the community around them. The Lasallian faith.
-- Jason Chang, Chairperson

Southern Regionals 2011

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:44:00 +0000

The Southern Regional Lasallian Convention this year is my very first regional in Semenanjung. It is indeed a whole different experience for me as I've taken up a different responsibility from my Regional days in Sarawak. Apart from being an OT, I was also a chairperson, and facilitator.

Facilitating was never a thing I would want to do before this. But the very reason why I've decided to be a facilitator is because I've been involved with the organizing team for a while now and I think it is time for me to try something different. Then Isaac asked Teck Peng and I if we wanted to be the chairpersons for this convention. I had no idea how I'm going to do it but I agreed with it thinking that I'm just going to move Forward with Faith.

Towards the end of the convention, I felt glad that I've been to the convention, and accepted these responsibilities. For me, it's like taking a short break from work in university to experience the positive energy of our fellow delegates, teachers as well as the OTs. I have always been glad to be involved in the Lasallian activities because these are the time for me to meet my favourite people as well as new friends. :)

-- Lovena Tay, Chairperson

For this year's Southern Regionals, I was one of the organising team members. The theme for this year's convention was quite a unique theme for me that ‘Forward with Faith’ as it involves a lot in our daily life. I learn a lot from the sessionsand it was a good theme that shows us how strong our faith is, not just for God, but with the people around us and ourselves.

It was a personal journey for me as well, as I took a more active role this year compared to last year. I am happy that the convention was a success even though there were a few hiccups along the way. This year's convention was a great convention for me as I learnt a lot. This convention is not about the culture or religion, but it is a way to show that we live in a world not just to have a wonderful life but to share with others who are in need so they can have a wonderful life too.
-- Fathimy, OT

LEAD 2011

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Sat, 14 May 2011 04:23:00 +0000

Dates for LEAD 2011 are up!!! Interested? Read on to find out more!!!

Salam Mesra kawan kawan La Salle.

Once again, LEAD is back for 2011. LEAD stands for Lasallian Expedition And Development. As per previous LEAD camps, there will be 3 LEAD camps organized this year. The camps will be held in June, July & August 2011.

Organising Team
To sign up as a LEAD OT, all you need to do is send an email to Isaac at (aisaac610@gmail.com) latest by May 20, 2011.

Requirements
12 – 15 persons are needed per camp
To attend pre-meeting with boys
To attend OT Meeting after pre-meeting with boys
To be present at the LEAD camp

Where & When

LEAD 1 : ST. GEORGE’S INSTITUTION

Date : June 17 – 19, 2011

Venue : Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar

Pre-Meeting

Date : 4 June (Saturday)

Venue : St. George’s Institution, Taiping

Time : 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

LEAD 2 : ST. MICHAEL’S INSTITUTION, IPOH

Date : 8 – 10 July, 2011

Venue : Ulu Kenas, Kuala Kangsar

Pre-Meeting

Date : 25 June (Saturday)

Venue : La Salle Centre, Ipoh

Time : 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

LEAD 3 : ST. XAVIER’S INSTITUTION, PENANG

Date : 9 – 11 September, 2011

Venue : TBA

Pre-Meeting

Date : 15 July (Saturday)

Venue : St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang

Time : 9.30 am – 6.00 pm

Above are the details of each LEAD. Please take note of the dates.

What are the Pre-meetings :
To get to know the boys and to find out some background information about the boys. This information will help us in planning our programme and the sessions for LEAD.
We have two hours with the boys.
After meeting with the boys, the OTs will then meet to plan the LEAD programme. Therefore the meeting from 9.30 am to 6.00 pm is very necessary

So what are you waiting for? Sign up today and join us in making each LEAD a success!!

La Salle Brickfield's Contribution

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Sat, 07 May 2011 18:44:00 +0000

Of their own volition and through the capable hands of their very committed teacher, La Salle Brickfields brings to the table their own version of Earth Hour-Day.

In collaboration with the Earth day celebration, I showed my students some video clips on Earth Day, a few animal planet Earth Day promotional video clips (of which I got them from Toh Shaw Shiuan from St Andrew's Muar), and then we sang some songs.

After that we had a reflection session on how we can save the world in our own might or capability. I passed around a piece of paper on which they can write their earth day pledge and give their very own 'stamp of approval' on it. It sdidn't have to be something big, it can be something that we can start to put to practice everyday.

Though only five members turned up, I personally feel that quantity is not as important as the quality that we would like to instill in our students, i.e. the sense of responsibility to our environment @ mother earth.

-- Mr. Siew Weng Keong

VOTE EARTH!!

A close up of the students' pledges

St Joseph's Kuching does their part

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:21:00 +0000

St Joseph's Kuching does their part for Earth Hour-Day. Here's a short sharing from Lasallians Gabriel Wong and Reuben Then:

Gathering at the Park, armed with rubbish bags, ready to battle :)

We gathered at the reservoir park at 8.30a.m, with teachers, Puan Stella and Puan Freda.

After that, Nicky briefed us about what we were to do. We were then separated into smaller groups so more areas of the park can be covered quickly.

We met many people while cleaning up the park, and some of the senior citizens also praised us for the time and effort taken in cleaning the park. One of them was our very own Lasallian Brother, Brother Justin!

Personally, it felt good being able to do my part for Mother Nature. Although it wasn’t much, but it’s a belief that a small gesture goes a long way. It felt even better after some of the senior citizen who was walking there in the park approached us and complimented us for the time taken to help clean up the park.

At the end of the day, the only feeling to describe it was just AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME, and it left me wanting for more. Caring and taking care of Mother Nature should go on, instead of just the one day in conjunction of Earth Day. Peace!

--Gabriel Wong

Cleaning up balloons from a leftover party

Reuben and Peter doing their part

When I first started doing the cleaning up, I felt a bit unwilling as I have never done it before. I even questioned myself to why should I do it. But as I get into the task, something struck me and I did it with an open heart. I never knew it can be much fun especially when you have friends doing it with you, who believe in the cause for what they are doing it for. I learnt that from the worst job or task that we are asked to do, there is always something fun and positive behind it.

--Reuben Then

Aaron diving 'deep' into the mini waterfall

Group Picture!

Earth Day, the St. Andrew's way

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:04:00 +0000

Our Lasallians from St Andrew's were the first to kick off our Earth Hour-Day programme. Below, a sharing from Tay Jian Yao

Our school in conjunction with the Earth day celebration held some activities in our school. The activities are coordinated and planned by the Lasalle Fellowship of Saint Andrew. Toh Shaw Shiuan who is the president of the Lasalle Fellowship and Tay Jian Yao its vice president collaborated with Miss Quek our teacher adviser to carry out the event.

We prepared a short clip and power point presentation regarding Earth day and about the significance of Earth Day. We showed them the importance of Earth Day and the activities that can be carried out during the event throughout the globe. We held this activity in our school lab where we displayed the clip to our Lasalle members to educate and clarify to them about the significant of earth day. After viewing the clip, our members commented about our presentation and was very delighted and interested about this activity. They also wanted to play their part in preserving Mother Nature and our beautiful world by doing simple things such as reduce pollution and recycling.

Next we also printed and pasted several articles regarding the Earth Day event on our school board. Our main objective is to encourage other students as well to do their duty as responsible citizens in conserving nature. The articles included steps and measures taken by countries and governments across the globe to protect our planet from pollution. We got these articles from various sources like the internet, magazines and others. After reading up the articles on our board, the students are also interested in our activity and promised to help to conserve nature.

In a nutshell, the activity we carried out not only had a huge impact on our fellow schoolmates but us as well. By carrying out the Earth’s Day event we had certainly acquired much beneficial and wonderful knowledge about the nature. We also learned more about our role of preserving and conserving the environment and the ecosystem

Earth Hour-Day 2011

noreply@blogger.com (choulyin) — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 08:54:00 +0000

It’s Earth Hour today people!! :)

So, turn off your lights for one hour at 8:30-9:30 pm tonight!!

BUT, that’s not all, as Lasallians, let’s take that extra step. Let’s do something extra for Mother Earth.

Apart from observing Earth Hour by turning off our lights, we invite you to do something more, like helping out at a recycling centre, handing out flyers to why we should preserve the environment, hold a recycling drive, “An Inconvenient Truth” screening, and many more!

This year, it will be a month-long activity, where we will start from 26 March 2011, until 22 April 2011, which is Earth Day. During this month-long period, we have coordinators in different locations, and if you want to do something but not sure what, fret not.

Just look for the people below and you can plan forward from there :)

1. Lee Kin Onn – Melaka
2. Nicky Tay, Gabriel Wong – Sarawak
3. Dinah Wong, Sarventhan – PJ, Klang
4. Michael Cheah, Jason Chang – Penang
5. Gooi Harvey – Ipoh

6. Lovena Tay - Johor

7. Jason Tan - Seremban

Don’t worry if the region that you are from does not have any coordinators, we are still getting the list up, but you can contact Choulyin directly at choulyintan@gmail.com and she will arrange accordingly for you :)

So what you waiting for? Let’s help Mother Earth today!!

Bro. Alvaro's Letter to Young Lasallians

noreply@blogger.com (mlyc) — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 05:53:00 +0000

A letter from Brother Alvaro to Young Lasallians :)

BEING A YOUNG LASALLIAN IN 2011

Many times the best way to place ourselves in the historic time in which we live is to look at the past and take advantage of the sources of wisdom of our ancestors. For that reason I would like to begin with a story attributed to American Indians.

An old tribal chief was chatting with his grandchildren about life. He told them: "There is a great struggle going on inside me...it is between two wolves! One of the wolves is wickedness, fear, anger, envy, sadness, bitterness, greed, arrogance, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, pride, egotism, competition, superiority. The other wolf is Kindness, Happiness, Peace, Love, Hope, Calmness, Humility, Sweetness, Generosity, Benevolence, Friendship, Empathy, Truth, Compassion and Faith.

This same struggle is happening within you and within all beings on the earth. The grandchildren thought for a minute and one of them asked the grandfather: Which of the wolves do you think will win? The chief simply replied: WHICHEVER ONE YOU FEED."

Being a young Lasallian in 2011 means to nourish the best instincts you have in your heart, but not just you personally, but in harmony and support with all those young people today who, no matter where they may be, have made their own the values of faith, fraternity-community and service that are our hallmarks. Young Lasallians – young Brothers, volunteers, former students, young teachers, students – are an important part of the Lasallian Family and they play a leading role in the Lasallian mission that we carry out in 82 countries in favor of children and young people from different races, cultures and religions. Together and by association with other Lasallians, young people feel that the mission commits them to building God's Kingdom, a Kingdom in which we can all experience what it means to be sons and daughters of God and to live as brothers and sisters. A Kingdom where creation is respected and cared for and where the poor come first and the unloved find affection and reasons to live.

This is not obvious and it never has been. English doctor Ronald Gibson began a conference on generational conflict, using these citations:

1 Our young people like luxury and they are bad-mannered, they do not pay attention to authority and they have no respect for elders. Our children today are true tyrants. They do not stand up when an older person enters a room. They talk back to their parents and they are simply bad.

2 I have no hope for the future of our country if today's youth take power tomorrow, because the young people are intolerable, insatiable, just horrible.

The first citation is from Socrates (470 -399 B.C.) and the second is from the Greek poet Hesiod (720 B.C.). There is no doubt that the struggle between the two wolves is not only an issue for today and neither is the matter of prejudice towards the young.

As I was writing this, I read in the newspaper yesterday, January 13, of the marvelous example given by a young Australian boy of 13 years of age, who drowned after refusing to be rescued before his 10 year old brother Blake, during the tremendous floods that afflicted his country at the beginning of the year. This act and many others, as well as my own experience during my trips to the different Regions of the Institute and my encounters with young people from various cultures and religions, filled with generosity, sensitive to and in solidarity towards others, wanting to fight for a world of peace and justice, make me believe firmly in young people.

In 2011 we are experiencing a curious reality. In general, young people today live for a longer period of time at home with their parents than young people did in the past. In a certain sense and in spite of various family models that have been established, the family continues to be a fundamental element, as has been confirmed, for example, in the Report of the Holy Mary Foundation on young Spaniards from 15 to 24 years of age in 2010, in which 71% of the young people surveyed think that the most important thing for them is the family and 85% of them still live with their parents. I see in this a sign of the times for us as well. The Lasallian Family should be a center of interest for young people. In it they should find incentives and service programs, they should feel that they are valued as persons, find affection and a sense of closeness, the comradeship of their school years should last beyond those years, they should open themselves to the needs of others, find answers for their concerns, grow in their spirituality, and facilitate their encounter with God. In the heart of the Lasallian Family, young people should contribute the values proper to their age, such as courage, creativity, freedom, energy, mobility, the search for adventure and their ability to be open. This is their way of participating actively in association and making the mission their own – in favor of other young people, especially the poor and the less loved. In 2011 we will celebrate, with the entire Church, World Youth Day in Madrid from August 16 to 21. The slogan for the event is: Planted and built up in Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith (cf. Colossians 2: 7). This event is also an invitation to all young Lasallian Christians to deepen their life of faith while focusing on the Lord Jesus, our teacher, brother and friend. As Saint John of the Cross said: "those who love end up resembling the beloved more and more." If we are planted in Christ, our faith will translate into a gratuitous but effective love to transform the world with the spirit of the Beatitudes. We shall also use the occasion of the World Youth Day in Madrid to have a meeting for all young Lasallians who are present, in order to share as a family, to live the communion that characterizes us and to deepen our values as members of a Church which is understood as the People of God in which we all have an important, fraternal and united mission; always attentive to the needs of the poor; committed to the fight for justice; in service of those who are last on the earth...It will also be an occasion to ask ourselves if what we have learned in our schools has translated into service, in accord with the well-known and wonderful slogan: Enter to learn, leave to serve.

On both the Church and Lasallian Family levels, young people have a special mission to respond to God's call and to commit themselves to his plan of salvation to be open to all without distinction, because what God wants is that all might be saved, as our Founder Saint John Baptist de La Salle reminded us so insistently. It is enough to recall how in the history of salvation young people have played a leading role. We can think of the young David and his friend Jonathan, in the call of Samuel, in John the Apostle and in the maiden Mary at the amazing moment of the Annunciation.

Madrid will also be the place for a longer meeting for young Lasallians from RELEM (Lasallian Region of Europe and the Mediterranean). I hope that this meeting will be for them a time of grace and that as they return to their respective countries, like the disciples of Emmaus after the encounter with the risen Jesus and following the invitation made to us by our last General Chapter, they will have eyes that are open and hearts that are burning, so that they do not stay closed in on their own small interests, but by being planted and built up in Christ, they will live an active faith in the practice of love, that they will be builders of fraternity, peace and justice. It will be a great joy for me to be able to participate in these two meetings, God willing.

Fraternally in De La Salle,

Brother Álvaro Rodríguez Echeverría Superior General

Regionals!

noreply@blogger.com (mlyc) — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 03:50:00 +0000

Hey peeps,
Just a short update;

Dates for this year's Regionals are as follows:
1st-3rd April (Southern)
15th-17th April (Northern)
14th-17th March (Sabah)
4th-8th June (Sarawak)

If you're interested and would like to lend a helping hand in your respective regions, please contact Isaac at aisaac610@gmail.com for more info! :)

Earth Hour 2011 - The Lasallian Way :)

noreply@blogger.com (mlyc) — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 02:26:00 +0000

“Oh no, climate change, rubbish piling up, polluted air, polluted water, chopped down trees, Mother Earth is dying. She is weeping out to you save her for her future citizens”

Save her and save yourself!

Take down these dates and do something for the earth and yourselves before it is too late!

26 March 2011 and 22 April 2011.

Important dates for Mother Earth.

Want to help her?

Here's your chance to do so!

26 March 2011 - Earth Hour, a global initiative whereby people around the world will turn off their lights for one hour at 8:30 pm in an effort to take a stand against climate change.

22 April 2011 – Earth Day, founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment.

Come on Lasallians, let’s take an extra step, take the lead by not only turning of the lights for an hour and just preach awareness about Earth Day.

Let’s live it!

We are inviting you, Lasallians to reach out to your community and go the extra mile by coming up with creative ideas to save mother earth and have FUN in the process! Are you up for the challenge?

We are looking for volunteers from each school to come up and be coordinators for Earth Hour, and Earth Day. Within this one month stretch, we invite you to come up with creative and fun ideas on how you can help the environment, and execute it. It doesn’t have to be elaborate, it can be just a clean up of a park, or helping sort out items at a recycling centre. And don’t you worry; we will guide you along the way! =) It would be wonderful to have one coordinator for each school. If anyone is interested do send an email to Choulyin at choulyintan@gmail.com and we will guide you from there!!!!

COME AND BE PART OF THE GREEN SQUAD!!!

PS The Children - Workshop on Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse

noreply@blogger.com (TsuChong) — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:48:00 +0000

Click on image for larger view

Let Tsu Chong know if you're interested to come, or just leave a comment. Deadline: Next Wednesday 16 Feb 12.00pm.

No worries on registration fees, we can find ways to raise fund.

More Photographs from FT 1!

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:01:00 +0000

Courtesy of Soon Heng and Rinesh.

Learning about technical aspects of photography from Br Matt.

'If you don't have a tripod, borrow someone's shoulder!' (someone like Debra)

Deviating from the task at hand - from taking pictures to posing for pictures! (except for Pui Yi and Marveen - note the ever-ready cameras in hand)

Sealing the ballot box with magic tape.

Br Vincent lighting the flame of the Malaysian Lasallian Formation Team.

Swearing-in ceremony.

"We, the members of the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commission pledge to give our...". To find out more, do come for FT Weekend 1 next year. =)

Choulyew, Choulyee and Choulyin spreading some family love to Dinah, Terry and Siew Wei.

Yes, Lasallians like to pose.

La Salle Petaling Jaya alumni meeting missing one kaki (Mr. Liow Kok Loong)!

One big happy (and hardworking!) family.

New Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commissioners!

noreply@blogger.com (TsuChong) — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 15:36:00 +0000

Congratulations to Aaron Chan, Siew Wei, Choulyin, and Vincent Ooi for being elected into the MLYC for 2011-2013!

The FT looks forward to working with the new commissioners.

Also a big thank you to Isaac, Pui Yi, and Tsu Chong for a job well done in 2009-2011! Kudos!

...and Now, Moving Forward with an account of the FT Weekend 1, 2011 and a new MLYC !

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:43:00 +0000

Here's what happened through the lenses of Mark Low:

Formation Team Weekend 1(FT Weekend 1) had just came and gone. It was a totally new and different experience for many of us. This FT Weekend 1’s theme was 'The Art and Science of Photography'. Photographs can express many things because it gives an individual a perception in just about anything and having good photography skills could come in handy anytime in the future. In addition to that, this FT Weekend 1 was also the 4th appointment of the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commissioners.

Like every other gathering, no matter whether it is a FT Weekend or not, we enjoy the company of our friends as some of us have not seen each other in awhile. FT Weekend 1 did teach us about the trick and trade of photography, however, I felt the most important part was having a gathering with all our friends there to enjoy, have fun and unwind for the weekend.

Brother Matt conducted the sessions as he has a rich background and experience in photography that he could share with us. We found it very helpful as before this, we never knew how to operate such sophisticated cameras. After that, we had games before moving into the more serious part of the FT Weekend, that is the elections of the Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commission and the amendments of the Constitution.

It was an enjoying weekend for many of us, a break from the reality of our daily lives, away from all the unnecessary stress. We really learnt how to use the camera to capture a perfect picture so that we could keep memories and not forget them. FT Weekend 1 was certainly one of the weekends that we will remember for a long time.

-----@------

The sessions on photography ended with an outdoor assignment - to choose a theme and to capture photos that reflect the theme. Here are Jeremy and Pui Yi's photographs from the outdoor adventure. They're still not sure if these are good photos or not. Care to guess the theme?

..and a few more people share about activities in the previous year...

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:22:00 +0000

It has been been four years since i started getting involved in the Lasallian youth movement in Malaysia. Being involved in the whole process, beginning as a delegate for both the regional and the national convention, followed by the self development phase as a formation team member, and then the volunteering work as an organising team member for the various regionals and even nationals has taught me a great deal which i wish to share with others.

I finally got that opportunity when i was invited to be a facilitator for the regional convention. It came as a surprise to me because i never pictured myself as a facilitator, probably because i was having a lot of fun being an OT and never thought of myself being experienced enough to facilitate a session for the regional conventions.

Me, being my optimistic self, took up the challenge and till today i am glad i did so. The moment i took up the responsibility of being a facilitator, i realised that this is going to be a new phase in my lasallian journey of self discovery and i was right.

The whole facilitaion process starting from the moment of the facilitation workshop till the actual session was filled with challenges. It was all very new to me. During the whole process i realised that being a facilitator is not easy. All this while i had this picture in my head that facilitating a session was a walk in the park and that sending the message across to the delegate was easy, but i finally saw the big picture.

The whole process of facilitating is to put ourselves in the shoes of the delegates, as well as experimenting with new methods of passing on a message in order to make the convention memorable. Throughout the workshops i learnt new methods and witness old ones.

It was a real eye opener for me. I dare to say that after the facilitation experience i have become a more serious person in terms of my mindset and the way i look at things. I'm lucky to experience for myself the other side of lasallian work, the serious side. In short, the whole facilitation experience has been a memorable one and i hope that in the future i will be given more such opportunities.

- Soon Heng -

Wai Hin felt that the Conference on Education Malaysia "was one good, cekap experience for me and I'm glad that I am part of this event. I was put in charge of the AVA system. It was a good experience as I really learnt a lot from this event. To be honest, this was my first time going for a conference. The preparation and the whole process was totally different from organizing camps and events. I was lucky that I was put in charge of AVA as I could witness the conference. I was able to listen and the topic of the conference related to me as a student! The topics were interesting and the issues that were raise on during the discussions were insightful. I was excited about it. Yeah, I am very glad that I was part of the team. Thank you."

Rinesh shares that...

Knowing our rights would allow everyone to live equally. Often we hear about students' rights, workers' rights, human rights etc, but did you know children have their rights too?

YEAP THEY DO.

I bet you all didnt know about this when you were growing up? Perhaps it was what some parents do best - to not educate children about the 42 Articles in The Convention on the Rights of the Child as drafted out by UNICEF, so that we would grow up as healthy, obedient Malaysians. =)

After several meetings and a workshop within the past few months, i was astonished to know that children have rights too! And currently, a group of dynamic and enthusiastic Lasallians headed by our dear commissioners and programmes coordinator are working on workshops to educate not only Lasallians and the public, but also kids on the existence of these articles.

PS: did you know Corporal Punishment (Caning, Pinching, Jentik-ing, etc) is against children's rights as it is considered ABUSE?

A few more reports on LDOPP...

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 20:03:00 +0000

Colour-blind

Reuben Then from St Joseph's School, Sarawak shares:

With the theme above, the Lasallian Day of Prayers for Peace (LDOPP) was held at the St Joseph’s Secondary School, Kuching on the 14^th and 15^th October 2010. More than 1000 students and teachers, from both morning and afternoon session, took part in this annual activity.

The organizing committee of this activity was lead by me, assisted by others to ensure the activity ran smoothly. Guiding us were Madam Stella Caroline and Madam Ruby Erie, the SJS Lasallian Society Teacher Advisors.

This year’s theme focused on racism that’s happening around the world and in Malaysia. Students and teachers were told of the negative effects of racism to everyone and how we can stop racism during a speech at the school’s weekly assembly. It was stressed that we should follow Saint John Baptist de La Salle – we should be colour-blind and do not discriminate others.

A simple and short video clip was shown and this impacted most of the students and teachers strongly on the effects of racism. A mini-exhibition was also set up, showing pictures and articles of racism that’s happening around the world, both past and present.

Some photos from St Francis' Institution showing their LDOPP programme that consisted of video presentations, discussions and universal prayers for peace:

Another thought on 20th NLLC 2010

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 21:01:00 +0000

I am really thankful to be given the chance to experience another NLLC but this time as a part of the organizing team. I have to say that it is a different experience altogether from being a delegate but it is one that I will hold close to my heart.

It didn’t matter to me having extra responsibilities this time around. The fact that this was my first time as an OT as well made my experience even more meaningful. I enjoyed every moment of it and it gave me such a clear reminder of how things were done at La Salle Centre.

To me this group of OT’s really worked hard for each other, shared one another’s burden and gave their all with very little to complain about. It didn’t matter to them that I was new or inexperienced but they took me in and I instantly felt a sense of belonging even from the start of the first OT meet.

We were all made up of Lasallians from different schools, different backgrounds and from all across the country and it's always going to be inspiring for me to be given the chance to work with such incredible individuals, with each of us willing to contribute in any way we can.

This year’s theme “Forward with Faith” gave me a real different view on spirituality as a Lasallian and it really challenged me to look deeper into myself and my beliefs. It’s been a really emotional journey for me but a meaningful one at that.

It has been a privilege working with such a group and although I still have much to learn I will look forward towards continuing my journey just as I enjoyed my time as an OT in Nationals.

-Leroy-

Reflections on 20th NLLC 2010

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 20:57:00 +0000

NLLC - the news that you're invited to participate in this convention is indeed exhilarating and exciting. For me, I had the same feelings when I knew that I was invited to help out as an organizing team member. I had mixed feelings too, as this will be my second year as an OT and I felt that there were expectations for me to be like Superman. Anyhow, that feeling was all gone when I replied yes and I have no regrets towards that decision.

From the planning and the actual convention, every moment has made an impact in my heart, although the amount of lame jokes throughout the convention was quite extreme. I felt that it is an honour for me to meet new people and too see old friends. It is very refreshing and inspiring to see the passion and the motivation in everyone. Listening to the sessions and the stories shared also made me remember the Lasallian mission and the reason behind the need for service.

One of the delegates asked me why I wanted to be an OT, and I actually took some time to respond. After putting some thought in it, I feel that it is a learning process for me. It is a break from the daily routine that I have in campus where life is very self-centered. All the laughter and tears in the convention made me grow to be a better person within my circle of friends, family and society (I hope).

-KOK LOONG-

La Salle PJ - 2nd year of LDOPP while St Andrew's School takes a baby step!

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:57:00 +0000

From SMK La Salle, PJ, we conducted two projects. One was preparing a poster and the other was doing up the Heritage Notice Board in the Lecture Hall.

For the poster, all of us from Regionals planned the sketch and design of the poster and stuck the poster in front of the Porch's Corridor. The same thing was carried out for the Heritage Notice Board. For this, we chose stories, information and pictures for everyone to read.

One of the good part about this project was that we managed to complete it before the school session ended. We were late and it was difficult to arrange a meeting with Pn. Vasu, our principal, to discuss. Therefore, we were glad and happy to finish it at our time of goal. In addition, we also had good and co-operative teachers who lent a helping hand and supported us all the way. We also had the wondrous and warm support from our fellow members.

Although we couldn’t continue and proceed with other projects, we did feel good and blessed to be the ones to carry out these two. Since the school’s management is happy to create awareness about the various, good themes the Regional Convention team brings in every year through LDOPP, I think we should continue doing LDOPP projects in the many more years to come. This would simply be the way of changing the world, and making it a better place, just like our role model St. John Baptist de La Salle.

And we have a few pictures of a screening from St Andrews...

St Anthony's join the fray...

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:53:00 +0000

Eng Heng writes:

COLOUR-BLINDness is the inability to distinguish specific colours from others. But in a wider sense, we all need to be COLOUR-BLIND. We live in a world of many races, religions and creeds. But our differences are meant to be embraced and celebrated, rather than to discriminate and alienate. Human history is marred by various instances of horrific racial violence that jolts us and makes us wonder why.

In conjunction with the International Day of Prayers for Peace (LDOPP), the Lasallian Board of SMK Saint Anthony held an essay writing competition which is divided into 3 categories:

i) Category 1 (Form 1 and 2)

ii) Category 2 (Form 3 and 4)

iii) Category 3 (Form 5 and 6)

The titles for the essay writing competition are as follows:

i) The Colours of Malaysia

ii) I am Malaysian and proud to be one

iii) Diversified Unity

iv) Equality among Races

Besides essay writing competition, we decorated our heritage wall which is located just beside the stairs so that all the students can have a look at it. We decorated it with articles and pictures which provided by the La Salle centre.

This year, SMK Saint Anthony for the first time successfully held LDOPP. It was not a huge success but it’s the sincerity and the hardwork that meant the most. I hope next year we will organise a better LDOPP.

And here's an insightful piece from Jason Ng Kin Kit:

I am Malaysian and Proud to be One

With Malaysia celebrating its 53^rd year of independence, it gets one to think. Looking at the fact that celebrations tend to get less and less interesting as years pass, one may observe that school children have far less enthusiasm as the generation progresses, and during occasions such as this, sometimes more than half of the student body doesn’t even bother showing up.

I remember how I was forced to pay a dollar and twenty cents for a flag that’s stitches came undone even before I had the chance to wave it. Has patriotism really been reduced to merely waving a flag to a song that’s lyrics we don’t see a reason why we should remember? Has patriotism really been reduced to merely giving long meaningless speeches that seem to be trying to implement a sense of unity within its audience? Is this the true depiction of independence? Is this how we honor those who fought for it? Hardly.

Despite all that, a deep sense of belonging managed to creep up and out somewhere from within. A quiet yet very real sense of pride to be where I am. To be here, on earth, at this particular spot, HERE, in Malaysia. And as I look around me, no single individual being the same; not in looks, not in color, not in character, not in race or beliefs.

Yet something within blinds me to all differences and compels me to love. And like a gush of fresh air that hit me out of nowhere, awakened my spirit, and for a moment there I felt a true taste of freedom. Freedom from hatred, from prejudice, from bitterness and intolerance. Yes, it is an uphill task, and a constant struggle, a battle that we are so close to losing but let me tell you is every bit worth fighting for.

For in all the complexities of how a nation stands as one, the strive for unity boils down to one simple reason. This is MY country. MY people. If I don’t love it, fight for it, who will?

I am Malaysian. Aren’t you one too?

Next up, St Xavier's Institution!

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 17:44:00 +0000

Daryl Cheah shares:

Lasallian Day of Prayer for Peace, otherwise known as LDOPP was tasked to us by La Salle Centre, Ipoh. Our theme this year is “Colourblind”. Our activities were selling of button badges, setting up a booth, giving a speech to the students and setting up of peace wall. The duration was a one month period from 24^th September till 21^st October.

The project started out with a speech given by Teh Jia Wei to the students during our Friday school assembly regarding our topics and activities that were about to be carried out.

During the 27^th of October, a peace wall was decorated along our schools ping pong court with articles on peace and was revealed to the students on the 28^th of September. It stayed up till the 21^st of October.

After that, on the 4^th of October, we prepared sweets with tags containing quotes that show colour-blindness, as well as peace quotes, to be given out during the 1^st and 2^nd recess.

A canvas was prepared for students who supported our cause to sign and put hand prints on it.

On the 15^th of October our fourth and final activity was selling of Button Badges. The button badges were sold out fast. We earned a total of RM 120.00. The money will be donated to the La Salle Centre Penang.

The good thing about LDOPP is that we ourselves get the chance to accomplish this project to make a better future for everyone else. We were able to touch hearts and change lives as said in our school motto. We only managed to reach out to a handful of students, but as long as we touch the hearts of some, it’s already a big achievement for us.

The project opened up my eyes towards the suffering of many because of difference in religion. It opened my eyes and made me realise that even thought we are from different races and religions, there is only one race in the world, it is called The Human Race.

Honsa Ung writes:

The good thing about LDOPP was I had a chance to work things out together with my fellow friends and develop teamwork among us. Furthermore, I have learnt how to overcome obstacles which were blocking me from reaching the top.

What went wrong during LDOPP was only the timing, preparation and organization. Some of the teachers did have some interest in this programme and supported us. For the students, most of them were actually interested in this programme and questioned us about it but unfortunately they don’t really know the story of La Salle.

I am happy to be in the organising team of LDOPP. It buries the spirit of changing lives in me and I have learnt a lot of stuff from here. It was quite tough organising LDOPP as we lacked manpower sometimes and it clashes with our exams, but we took it as a challenge and got over it.

St Paul's Institution's turn at glamour..

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:51:00 +0000

Danesh Thiagarajah shares about SPI's activities for LDOPP:

i. Launching at School Assembly :

Prayers of Various Faiths led by members of PLC

Launching of LDOPP 2010 by Principal of SMK St.Paul, Madam Yap See Moi, followed by Message of Peace on the Peace Wall.

Launching ended with Universal Prayer.

Abel Arwin presenting his opening speech.

Mdm Yap See Moi launching LDOPP SPI 2010.

ii. LDOPP ‘Colourblind’ Evening :

Slide Show entitled ‘Colour Blind’ and Music Sing Along

Movie Screening : The Power of 10 Cents

Reflection

Interfaith Prayers and music, followed by the lighting of candles for peace.

‘Celebrate Diversity’ Game

Some of the many guests who attended the main event on Saturday night.

Some of the guests lighting up the STAR FOR PEACE.

The STAR FOR PEACE .

The game called Celebrate Diversity being carried out.

The guests with Mdm Ng for a group photo.

iii. PEACE WALL :

The Peace Wall was set up at the centre of the stage at the Assembly Ground for the students and teachers to put up their messages of peace. The response was overwhelming and the wall filled up with messages of peace within two days.

Mdm Yap placing her peace message onto the peace wall.

Some of the students writing in their peace messages to be placed onto the peace wall.

The peace wall with some of the many messages that were put up during the three day period.

v. EXHIBITION :

An exhibition of articles, stories and pictures in conjunction with LDOPP was put on display a along the walkway outside the staffroom. This informative display was able to give genera information to Paulians on the significance of LDOPP, and was a focal point during the 3-day programme.

The exhibiton that was held for students to read and learn about LDOPP.

Another view of the exhibition.

Some of the students at the exhibition.

The Organising Committee of LDOPP 2010 was happy to note the encouraging response to the programmes and activities held this year. Especially motivating and much appreciated was the response to the LDOPP ‘Colourblind‘ Evening which saw an attendance of over 50 members, teachers and guests. This was despite the fact that the event was held at night.

The Organising Committee worked well together to ensure that the programmes and activities planned were carried out successfully. The hard work and cooperation is much appreciated.

We would like to record our appreciation to the La Salle Centre, Ipoh for supplying us with the LDOPP Kit to help us to carry out this programme successfully.

Our sincere thanks to the Principal, Madam Yap See Moi for her support and encouragement, our teacher-advisor Madam Ng Siew Pin for her guidance, and to all Paulians for their support in ensuring the success of LDOPP 2010.

Some of the committee members with Mdm Ng.

When La Salle KK also became 'Colourblind'

noreply@blogger.com (WPY) — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:15:00 +0000

Ms Yvonne, teacher advisor of La Salle KK shared that:

La Salle KK had our LDOPP this year between 11 Oct – 04 Nov. During the Monday assembly, Sheldon made the introduction speech (in BM), followed by inter-faith prayers led by Othman, Pritchard and Izral. Meanwhile, Fareez and other members of the Young Lasallian Movement (YLSM) had done up an exhibition on the YLSM notice board in our senior campus.

Inter-faith prayer during assembly

Exhibition on notice board

It was an improvement from last year’s exhibition and speech, as I could see the spirit in the YLSM boys when they prepare for the occasion. I think LDOPP should be continued – it is a very meaningful and educational thing for the students as a whole. To be more effective, I suggest that more BM should be used, and simpler, less sophisticated and ‘scholastic’ materials need to be adapted, as we need to cater for Form 1 – 3 students as well.