The Bokwa session last weekend during Pusat Ehsan Charity Bazaar at the Indoor Stadium

Great participation from the crowd too

Last weekend, Pusat Ehsan launched its annual charity bazaar at the Berakas Indoor Stadium to further provide support for those with special needs.

The charity bazaar, the non-profit and non-government organisation’s 9th installment for this year, carries the theme, “I Care, You Care, We Care” and is open to the public until tomorrow.
During the launching ceremony, Co-Chairman of the charity bazaar’s organising committee and Education Trustee of Pusat Ehsan, Dato Paduka Dr Hj Omar Hj Khalid aid that the strategy for helping those with special needs still requires a multi-pronged approach at all levels of society as worldwide figures for people with disabilities is expected to rise as the population increases.

“Currently around 10 per cent of the total world’s population, or roughly 650 million people, live with a disability; 80 million are children, 400 million live in developing countries and 80 million in Africa. Having a disability places you in the world’s largest minority group,” said Dato Paduka Dr Hj Omar.

He said that it has been reported that the situation of people with disabilities, at a global level, has not greatly improved since the adoption of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons in 1982.

“At the national level, Pusat Ehsan joins other charitable organisations to strive and help its special people fulfill their full potential and become functional members of an inclusive society according to the capability of each individual,” he added.

He noted that everyone plays a role in making situations better such as recognising those with special needs as individuals with their unique requirements, recognising the role of parents, and that the public has a role in the welfare of each individual as they are as important and when given a chance they can contribute like other members of society.

“For us at Pusat Ehsan to carry out our tasks effectively, we rely on donations, ranging from individuals, groups or organisations, both government and non-governmental. We realise that help can come in many forms, from donations in the form of cash, volunteerism or material goods,” said Dato Paduka Dr Hj Omar as he expressed his gratitude for the amount of support the organisation has received.

The ceremony also saw a student representative of Pusat Ehsan, Winnie Koay, sharing her positive experience of joining a job attachment at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf and of the volunteering she does once a week as a teaching assistant for kindergarten and a library assistant at the Jerudong International School. Additionally, she shared her experiences of winning two bronze medals at the 2nd China-ASEAN Wushu festival in China.

Present as the guest of honour was the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerma Laila Diraja Dato Seri Setia Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah. Text courtesy of Nabilah Haris of The Brunei Times.

British High Commissioner David Campbell with Maya Alwines from the British High Commission participating in the charity bazaar and raising funds for the organization.They also ran lucky draws where the public can win tons of interesting vouchers. Great initiative by the British High Commission.

Good participation from this year’s vendors

Chance to win fantastic prizes for every booklet voucher you purchase

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf doing a great job in giving back to the community and even employing some of the students from Pusat Ehsan at the CBTL Kiosk last weekend

Fakhrul Razi is not just a singer and an entertainer but he has the entrepreneurial spirit inside him. Who needs an agent when you are already full of passion and fire inside you? All you need are good and supporting friends to help you to reach newer heights of success. Keep up the spirit, bro!!

Anne Masri of @bruneidetoxbar and Harold Raps of Project SAFE combining forces last weekend to educate about healthy fruits to the public

I have to say the fruits are pretty awesome and fresh and it’s being grown at Pusat Ehan garden area

I had one of those drinks from @bruneidetoxbar (instagram) and it was pretty good. Refreshing and rejuvenating at the same time.

Hanna

Pusat Ehsan members selling goods and products made by them

Another growing hobby in Brunei

More bazaar and carnival outside indoor stadium

Winnie playing some games too and won some prizes

A kid attempting to beat the record

She managed to get more than 30 balls in 30 seconds