St Xavier's Institution and St Francis' Institution

Students from St Xavier's writes:

"A donation booth was set up on our school’s speech day. It was held before and after the prize presentation. Several members were on duty at the booth to promote our cause, at the same time raising funds from parents as well as teachers who were present. There was also a short announcement given to parents just before the prize presentation ended to inform parents about what LDOPP is.

We also came up with a simple slide show using materials provided by the La Salle Centre as well as information from our own research. We played the slide show along the school’s corridor throughout the month we carried out LDOPP.

We took turns to give talks as well as showed a movie clip to spread the message of making this world a better place. The title of the movie clip was “Lost Generation”. At the end of the presentation, we left a donation box behind the ALT to raise some funds.

Generally, this project was a success as we managed to spread our message to almost 500 people. At the same time, we raised more than RM1000. The funds collected exceeded our target of RM500."



From SFI, Jared Nicholas , Gan Han Yang , Naethan , Daryl , Matthew Lee , Joel Lee , Chan Fan Kiat , Tay Chye Yuen , Glenn and Jowayne Choo writes:

"On 3 October 2009, a group of us organized LDOPP to create awareness about the sufferings and hardships that some children endure. These children, abused and unfortunate, lead tough lives of being child soldiers , prostitutes and slaves.

Brother Michael Kum launched the event at 7.30pm by introducing the topic ‘The War on Children’. Then we took turn providing information about child soldiers, sexual abuse, child labour and laws that protected children . We had slide shows , videos and a song. The song “Heal the World “ was a huge hit and everyone sang with high spirits.



Finally it was time for prayers. Prayers from different cultures were shown on the big screen. Later, we went down to the quadrangle for the final prayer . Everyone was given a candle each. We said the prayers together and when it was over, we left with a promise to continue this initiative."

St Michael's Institution and La Salle, Kota Kinabalu

Choong Li Fatt, Joel Lee and Joshua Loo from SMI writes:

"LDOPP was carried out successfully from the 12th of December to the 13th of December at the school foyer. There was a simple exhibition and a short speech to inform the students of the exhibition and to spread a message of awareness to the students. A few exhibition posters were put up in the school foyer about child soldiers, child labor and child abuse - current issues that children face today. Pieces of paper were given to students to write messages of peace as a symbolic act.





The response was quite good, as quite a number of people turned to write down their messages and gave positive comments about the exhibition, noting it was a change from the usual. They also gave us great support. Besides that, we managed to spread the awareness regarding this war on children.

There were a few problems such as technical issues, lack of publicity, and lack of organisers. But we feel that SMI LDOPP 2009 was big success regardless of the problems faced and we hope that next year’s LDOPP will be an even greater success."


From the top of Borneo island, LSKK writes:

"We started LDOPP in La Salle KK this year again, after a 2-year lapse. A meeting with the Young Lasallians was held and we decided that a small-scaled exhibition will be done in the Junior Campus, whereas the Senior Campus will have a Peace Wall.

Unfortunately, holidays and exams proved to be quite a distraction. In the end, a speech was made during assembly, and in the whole month of October, information about LDOPP and the inter-faith prayers for peace were put up on one of the notice boards in the Senior block. No activity in particular was held due to the exams, but there was an invitation in front of the board for everyone who passes through the board to halt and say those prayers for peace for a moment.



We're looking forward to having a better LDOPP next year!"

St Martin and St Paul's Institution

Dana, Clarence, Ivy, Arnold, Fadalya, Brenda, Flevianty, Michele, Marvin, Glensentdrick, Delvenna, Villarie, Esther, Darren and Emmanuel from St. Martin writes:

"Lasallian Youth Movement (LYM) dari S.M St. Martin telah mengadakan lawatan ke asrama Butitin, Nabawan. Lawatan ini bertujuan untuk mengeratkan silaturahim antara para Lasallian serta untuk mengetahui cara hidup orang di sana. Kami telah memungut derma dari murid-murid, para guru dan masyarakat sekeliling untuk dihulurkan kepada pihak asrama Butitin. Kami juga telah mengadakan aktiviti seperti membaca ‘Universal Prayer’ bersama-sama pihak asrama dan menyanyikan lagu ‘We Are Lasallian’ selepas aktiviti Ice-breaking.

LYM telah mengadakan upacara pembacaan doa mengikut ajaran agama masing-masing selaras dengan konsep 1 Malaysia semasa perhimpunan. Setiap doa diwakili oleh seorang pelajar. Semua pelajar berdoa dengan sepenuh hati selepas diterangkan tujuan doa tersebut oleh guru penasihat iaitu Mdm. Nancy A. Liging.

Sempena LDOPP juga, LYM telah mengadakan aktiviti menghias dan mengindahkan dewan agar dewan sekolah sekolah menjadi lebih menarik.

Aktiviti-aktiviti tersebut telah berjalan dengan lancar dengan kerjasama daripada semua pihak."




Kershan, Sean, Joshua and Awang from SPI writes:

“During the daily morning assembly a speech was given to introduce LDOPP to the school. Then, what St. Francis of Assisi said about peace was read. We also had interfaith prayers. We were glad to hear that the programme was very well received by all. Saying the Prayer for Peace from four different religions in English was good because everyone could understand them. It expresses the theme ‘One Malaysia’.



All Paulians were then invited to join the Paulian La Salle Confreres for the LDOPP activities at 12.50 p.m. in Upper Six 1. We had a talk about ‘War on Children’. The participants were actively participating through Q & A, finding out what could be done to help the children in need. This was then followed by a talk about the meaning of peace.



Then all participants and teachers present contributed to a “Peace Wall”, which was then displayed outside the staffroom.“



They even asked teachers for feedback! Here's what Pn Ng Siew Pin felt about LDOPP:

"We Paulians are glad to be able to participate in this La Sallian Day of Prayer for Peace (LDOPP). It is a good act to gather together regardless of creed, colour and religion to pray for a better society especially in terms of peace and harmony. Besides to increase our awareness for the small things we can do to bring forth peace, we also pray for peace to fill the hearts and minds of people who have been chosen to lead the entire nations. Although we may feel helpless as individuals, together we have the power to restore hope love and peace to the world."

La Salle, Klang and La Salle, Petaling Jaya

Yagesan from La Salle, Klang writes:

"On 14 October 2009, the participants of Klang Valley Regional Convention had their Lasallian Day of Prayers for Peace 2009. The objective of the event was to create awareness among the students about the plight of unfortunate children around the world. We prepared a 7-minute video presentation and a few booklets for the students and the teachers. We also hung 15 charts in the school hall. These charts had information on child labor, child trafficking and child abuse.


The students were brought into the hall according to their classes. When They were invited to read the charts and to watch the video presentation. We received many compliments by the teachers and students. Our principal, Madam Lily Lee, asked us to continue this good work and to make this event a tradition in La Salle Klang."



Khai Shen, Mark and Kelvin from La Salle PJ writes:

"We gave a speech during assembly to create awareness about abuse to children amongst the students of SMK La Salle PJ. A prayer was also said with materials taken from the kit but was modified to suit the theme which was ‘War On Children’. Overall the speech and the prayer was a success as we managed to attract the attention of the students and hopefully they learnt something.



We also did a slideshow presentation about war on children. Materials for the slideshow was found on the internet as well as taken from the kit. A video of the children in Sierra Leone was also shown towards the end of the slideshow. We faced a small problem because the slideshow was held on the last day of school and the attendance was low. The students were also distracted because of the same reason."

Let's end the year together...

...by giving the students from the following schools a pat on their backs for organising LDOPP in their schools and giving a voice to less-fortunate children:

St. Xavier’s Institution, Penang
St. Michael’s Institution, Ipoh
La Salle, Petaling Jaya
La Salle, Klang
St. Francis' Institution, Malacca
St. Paul’s Institution, Seremban
La Salle, Kota Kinabalu
St. Martin, Tambunan
St. Joseph’s School, Kuching

The following posts will be summaries of LDOPP reports received by La Salle Centre.

Stay tuned!

Catalyst for Change

The 19th National Lasallian Leaders Convention was concluded a fortnight ago.

Here's a quick reflection on the convention's theme - Catalyst for Change.

In chemistry, a catalyst changes material from one form to another. It does not force any reaction to occur, but rather its presence naturally drives a reaction.

As Lasallians, we always strive to be agents of change for the better in our social environment, be it in school, at home, among peers, or society at large. We are called to respond positively to the needs of the realities around us, to make the responsible choice and to do the right thing for the community, rather than just for oneself. Our purposeful journey is one of self introspection and embracing a collective purpose among our peers, to make choices that are sometimes difficult in this day and age.

Lasallian catalysts do not impose or force change, but introduce it first by embracing the necessary changes in their own lives and choices, and then engaging others to follow suit. By virtue of leading by example, we hope that our efforts gain momentum and strength in numbers, and in the end we would be able to facilitate the change for a better world for all.

In truth, the world would be a better place if everyone made more responsible choices. This year, our national convention challenges all Lasallians to be ‘Catalysts for Change’ and to set the example of making responsible choices.

We invite you to share your convention experience with us! Leave a comment or do so on our Facebook discussion page here.

Also, more pictures on the Facebook group page here.

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Enjoy what remains of 2009!

Repost: KS Jomo Lecture: When will we ever learn? Has Malaysia learnt the correct lessons from past crises?

UPDATE @15/12: Added map to venue

RSVP please! Thanks.

http://www.sayaanakbangsamalaysia.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=207:ks-jomo-lecture-when-will-we-ever-learn-has-malaysia-learnt-the-correct-lessons-from-past-crises&catid=37:piggyback&Itemid=58

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INVITATION to a PUBLIC LECTURE by Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram on Wednesday, Dec 16, 2009 Strategic Information and Research Development Centre and Youth for Change cordially invite you to a Public Lecture by the well-known public intellectual, Dr Jomo Kwame Sundaram of the United Nations’ Department of Economic and Social Affairs. Details of the lecture are as follows: When will we ever learn? Has Malaysia learnt the correct lessons from past crises? Date: Wednesday, Dec 16 2009 Time: 7.30pm Venue: Hotel Singgahsana, Persiaran Barat, off Jalan Sultan, 46760 Petaling Jaya (next to Taman Jaya LRT Station) Admission: FREE


The Topic The world is still struggling to emerge from the longest and deepest financial crisis in six decades. For every piece of optimistic news about recovery there are stories of setbacks and worsening downturns. Asia has been here before. A decade ago, the Asian financial crisis swept across the region. It not only prompted some rethinking of how to 'manage' financial crises but also stimulated some serious rethinking about the character of the development model in Asia. Lessons were learnt and new policy and institutional frameworks were put into place. But the severity of the current crisis begs a question: did politicians and policymakers really learn the right lessons from ten years ago? This is the burning question that is addressed in Jomo's important public talk.


The Speaker Jomo is one of the world's leading thinkers on questions of development -- not just development economics but also the policy commitments and institutional frameworks for international cooperation that are necessary to deliver both reform and sustainability. From his position at the United Nations he is able to shape debates and influence their outcomes. At the same time, he remains profoundly committed to building longstanding solutions to the most pressing problems that face the world today - environmental degradation and climate change, financial disorder and continuing uneven development. Come and listen to him offer important reflections on what has gone wrong and what might be done to advance a progressive agenda.

19th NLLC

The 19th edition of the National Lasallian Leaders Convention kick starts next week from 8th December 2009 - 12th December 2009!

Drop by on night of the 12th December. for the 20 Years Anniversary of Lasallian Youth Work in Malaysia Celebration DINNER. All are invited!