Click image to enter website to find out more

  

For many years, our team have been very active in supporting one NGOs in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Last week, we dropped by ODA which is also known as Opportunities of Development thru Art and it was founded by Mr. Leng who had a real vision of helping the underprivileged kids especially the orphans in providing a happier childhood and also preparing them mentally, physically and emotionally in the harsh environment of Cambodia in the future. ODA also believes in providing education and creativity (through arts) where they will one day able to give back to the community and also earning for a living.

I’ve met Mr. Leng back in 2011 and I learnt about how ODA came about. Fast forward to this year, I learnt more about the past of Mr. Leng. It was truly a touching story and I salute his vision in actually making things happen rather than just walk the talk. The ODA residence have developed so much for the luxury of the orphans and now it stands at least 30 orphans residing at ODA residence.

Our friends managed to raise at least USD 4,000 last week and that many will be able to sustain food supply for the orphans to last the whole year. Amazing!! Some of the monies that we raised for them last year was also pumped in for creating and maintaing the mini plant farm they had nearby their residence. So in the future, they will be able to make some money by selling vegetables.

Mr. Leng has other strength and that is he’s creative in the painting department. He used to good effect where he trained the orphans to draw and paint. From there, their paintings will be made for display at the mini art display room where outsiders can buy. It’s also one way for the orphans to earn a living at a very young age.

Thank you, Mr. Leng for the eye opener and a constant reminder that about gratitude, appreciation and contribution. Truly honoured to be part of your community in contribution and to see how much growth ODA have gone through in just a space of a few years.

ODA is located not far from Angkor Wat and I’m pretty sure if you want pay ODA a visit, you can ask the tuk-tuk driver to send you there.

It’s always an honour to help Leng’s NGO called ODA – Opportunities of Development thru Art which helps to sustain the cost of living of the orphans in Siem Reap, Cambodia through means of selling their artwork.

Some of the amazing artworks the orphans drew and they are for sale.

The community connecting with the orphans and asking their experience as an artist

We also donated food for the orphans

Pat came a few months ago and the Cambodian kids still recognised her. It’s amazing to see the growth of the kids under this particular NGO.

Michelle and I came here a few years ago and we are back here again and so much have really changed and improved at ODA.

Our friends also helped to build the mini farm a few months ago and it’s shaping to be pretty good after another visit a few days ago. Some of the donations were also pumped into this mini project which can create opportunities for the orphans at ODA.

The man behind ODA, Mr. Leng, who is a certified art trainer and he trains the orphans to draw which is such an amazing idea. I truly salute his passion and commitment to help the orphans in Cambodia and he also created an avenue to study for the under privilege locals especially the kids.

It was a nice sight to his plight for the students to get their uniforms was a success

 

Acer Aspire

Click image to enter ICON Design Store website

 

Click image to enter Citroën Brunei 

 

Free labour charge on repairs for Peugeot

Click image to enter website

 

Click image to enter website to find out more

  

Will I take part in next year’s Angkor Wat Half Marathon? Tempting. This year, I only came as a spectator and taking some photos 😀

I didn’t expect myself to actually witness a marathon at Angkor Wat itself. It was just coincidental that the Angkor Wat Marathon happened when I was still in Siem Reap, Cambodia. I did also bumped into two Bruneians there and I wished I was part of the spectacular event. Then again, I shall wait until next year as it will be the 20th edition of the Angkor Wat Marathon.

I also wanted to catch the sun rise over at Angkor Wat but I was lucky enough as it was kinda cloudy as well. Catching a near perfect sunrise there is pretty tricky. You just need to try your luck and it will be gone in a matter of minutes if you happen to catch one.

Nearly 8,000 runners participated in the event and that’s like more than double of Brunei’s normal marathon event. There are more than 78 countries participating in the marathon ranging from 3km, 10km to 21km categories. Back in 1996, there were only 654 runners from 14 countries.

For the first time ever, a Cambodian won the half marathon for the men’s category while a Singaporean won the 21km ladies’ category.

I came as early as 4:30am to get my tickets for Angkor Wat which costs a minimum of USD 20 which entitles you to a one day pass

The bag deposit area

It was great to see a full moon before the sunrise

Getting ready for the race

The only sunrise moment I could capture then

Really inspiring to see them participated in the 21km race

There were quite a few of them too

I was videoing the beginning of the race. I didn’t realise how many 21km runners there were and the video lasted over 5 minutes…..

I wonder if he survived the whole run in that suit

This is how they prepared the balloons

The bald lady told me she caught me taking a photo of them on the bike *lol*

Woohoo.. Nice to see a Bruneian flag there

 

Click image to enter website

The Department of Co-Curriculum Education is set to hold “Century Run 2015” in January next year to celebrate the 100th year of formal education in the country and also to raise funds.

Director of Co-Curriculum Education of the Ministry of Education, Pg Suhaimi Pg Hj Bakar, briefed the media of the overall “Century Run” plan in a press conference recently at the Department of Co-Curriculum Education building in Lambak.

Pg Suhaimi said that “Century Run 2015” would replace the annual walkathon. He said the event, set on January 11, 2015 at the Haji Sir Muda Omar Ali Saifuddien Park, would be bigger and more fun-filled to bring together the officers and staff of the ministry in marking the 100 years of formal education and Teachers’ Day.

The Ministry of Education also aims for their officers and staff to strengthen their relationships.

Furthermore, the run also aims to raise awareness about the importance of a healthy body through exercises and to help reduce obesity among public servants and citizens of the Sultanate.

Another novelty for the “Century Run” is that this would be the first time in a decade where the participants would be asked to pay to be able to join.

Winners will also be awarded with medals.

Since the sporting event will be a fund-raiser, other ministries, prominent individuals, private groups and the general public are invited to contribute in the run.

Contributions from the participating runner will range from $20 to $30, depending on the category selected by the contributors.

The raised funds will be donated to Pusat Ehsan Al-Ameerah Hajah Maryam.

The run will have seven categories: open male and female running ten kilometres and will cost B$30, veteran male and female (45 years old and above) running five kilometres and will have to contribute $25, junior male and female (15 years old and below) running five kilometres and also has to be shell out $25, and a fun run for both male and female running three kilometres and will have to contibute $20.

Registration for the run is available on the website and fee should be paid before December 11 at the Department of Co-Curriculum offices in the four districts: Muara, Tutong, Belait and Temburong.

For more info, you can visit their website here. Text courtesy of The Brunei Times.

For Brunei Muara, the registration will open during lunch hours