New Malaysian Lasallian Youth Commissioners!

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 !

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.

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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...

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...

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

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

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!

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...