First things first, do you know what autism is? If no, then you should know that autism is a brain development disorder characterised by impaired social interaction and communication, and restricted by repetitive behaviour. This occurs when the way nerve cells and their synapses connect and organise is being altered, but the reason for this occurrence is yet to be understood.
Now let me introduce to you PROJECT A.
A is for
AUTISM, this is a project initiated by Jeng panaD at Sekolah Menengah Sufri Bolkiah, Tutong, in hopes to increase awareness on
autism. As surveyed on our school throughout random classes on every level, only 11.1% knows what autism is. This proves that Bruneian citizens knows little on autism where there are tonnes and tonnes of
misconceptions(click
here) created. These misconceptions are created by public/society's first impressions on autistic people display the symptoms as follows:
(picture source: CDC Brunei) click photo to enlarge.
This is what we did troughout organising our project and campaign:
First, five of us went on a short trip to SMARTER Brunei, a special school for autistic children, on 12th November 2011. We arrived at around 10a.m and were given an overwhelmingly warm welcome by staff members. Before proceeding into the day, we were given a short brief on what SMARTER Brunei is all about. We were also informed that autistic adults (13 years and above) goes to another special school, that is BACA, which is just nearby SMARTER. For more information on SMARTER, please click
here or go like their facebook page
here.
After the briefings, at around 11.30a.m, the five of us are distributed to different classes. I, unfortunately couldn't remember which class I was distributed to, but it was mind blowing experience.
so did the pictures give you a clear vision on what SMARTER is all about?
I actually have a tonne more pictures from SMARTER, but due to some permission being denied, I couldn't post it here. don't wanna be in trouble, do we?
at 12.30, the classes for the morning session ends where children sing a goodbye song. Its really cute of them ^^ After wrapping up the morning session, we had lunch with some of the staff members untill 2p.m to make way for the afternoon session. In the afternoon, we are rotated between classes again, this time, I'm as if I'm a free spirit, no class, so I just pop up around random classes and observe a little. And oh, I also get to interview a parent on how it was like, raising an autistic child. We went home at around 4p.m. To sum up the whole day in a blog post wasn't enough, but it was a beautiful day :)
We outlined what we're going to do for our project, what sort of activities, sales, talks and everything else. After tonnes of preparation with a very short time, a few sleepless nights, the day finally came. Sekolah Menengah Sufri Bolkiah, Tutong OPEN DAY.
(photo courtesy of : cg Muhd. Hafizuddin Abdullah T)
(photo courtesy of : cg Muhd. Hafizuddin Abdullah T)
Our booth:
(photo courtesy of : cg Hazurrin)
(photo courtesy of : cg Hazurrin)
(photo courtesy of : cg Hazurrin)
(photo courtesy of : cg Hazurrin)
(photo courtesy of : cg Muhd. Hafizuddin Abdullah T)
(photo courtesy of : cg Hazurrin)
(photo courtesy of : cg Hazurrin)
(photo courtesy of : cg Muhd. Hafizuddin Abdullah T)
The open day starts from the 16th November 2011 and ends on 19th November 2011. Our banner is displayed on the last day due to a few technical problems, but alhamdulillah, the response is very positive.
At our booth, we also sell a few stuff. Foodstuff like nutella cornflakes, sandwiches and chocolate cakes(which is only sold on the last day). we also sell drinks at a very cheap rate. other than that, we also sell bookmarks and autism support keychains. We also provide a donation box where you can donate money or used items such as clothings, toys, appliances and etc.
After our sales, we manage to collect as far as $327 and also a very fully signed banner AND also a few big boxes of unused items to be donated to SMARTER. our hardwork finally paid off. but our campaign isn't done yet, on the 21st November 2011, we invited SMARTER and CDC to our school for a talk on autism to our fellow school mates. all in all, it was very productive.
CREDITS
Without the direct and indirect help from these people, we wouldn't have succeeded.
First, I, as a representative from our crew, would like to give a very big THANK YOU to our school principal, Madam Nor Asurah Hj Meluddin for the endless support from the very beginning, endless advice and without you, this project wouldn't have commenced.
Also thanks to SMARTER and CDC for showing their support from the very beginning.
Next, to our parents who have involved themselves in this project directly and indirectly.
And then, to SMSBT's staff members who have also dropped by our booth to show their support, on their kind advice and compliments.
Also thanks to staff members and students from other schools that had also shown their support to our project, also to parents that have came and visited our school and our booths.
Next, thank you to our humble and very talented artist, cg. Mohd. Noh for the beautiful banner and also all the kind advice he has given us throughout the campaign.
and last but not least, thank you SMSBT for everything. there are TOO MANY for me to list it all out, but thank you for all these amazing memories and deeds that you allow us to do.
and congratulations to us, Jeng panaD and the rest of the crew. ♥
"I feel life is a journey and we all have to learn to ride the storm, for some of us it can seem more like a tidal wave, but with every storm the sun eventually comes back out" ~ Alyson Bradley
