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|
 President Nathan, accompanied by BB President Choo Gim Kang, at the BB Adventure Open House. Behind Mr Choo is Mayor Heng Chee How. |
 A BB Boy (bottom) helping a beneficiary from Ramakrishnan Mission Boys' Home to overcome an obstacle in the Rope Confidence course. |
PRESIDENT S. R. Nathan launched
The Boys' Brigade (BB) CARES Programme and visited the BB Adventure
Open House at the Boys' Brigade/Girls' Brigade Sembawang Campsite
on June 28, 2003. President Nathan is the Patron of the BB.
The BB CARES Programme is an island-wide community service programme
which involves the entire BB membership as well as others from
all walks of life in taking part in innovative community service
projects during the BB CARES Community Service Weekend. The programme
is held in conjunction with the President's Challenge Week.
At the launch, 100 youth beneficiaries from six Voluntary Welfare
Organisations were hosted to the BB Adventure Open House. The
six organisations were Tanglin Special School, Ramakrishnan Mission
Boys' Home, Gracehaven, The Tent, Malay Youth Literary Association,
and the Singapore Association for The Deaf.
Intellectually disabled and hearing-impaired youth beneficiaries
rappelled down a four-storey building, conquered challenging ropes
confidence course, took their aim at archery target boards and
kayaked across rough seas.
For most of the youth beneficiaries, it was their first time participating
in such exhilarating activities. They were all smiles as they
shared their experiences.
A girl from The Tent said: "The omega descent was fun! At
first, I was very fearful when I looked down from the fourth level
but after trying it, I wanted to have another round! I wish we
could have more of such activities."
President Nathan and the special guests, including Mr Heng Chee
How, Mayor of Central Singapore Community Development Council,
were taken around to see the various activities as they were being
carried out. President Nathan mingled and chatted with the BB
Boys and beneficiaries.
The Captain of the 63rd Singapore Company, Mr Paul Yap, said:
"At the end of the event during the 'Thank you' speech, three
boys from Tanglin Special School approached me and asked if they
could join The Boys' Brigade.
"I am sure the students were impressed by the many exciting
BB activities and the caring and friendly BB Officers and Boys
they met. The two school teachers who were with them also told
me that the students had talked to them and asked why their school
didn't have a BB Company and whether they could join The Boys'
Brigade."
The Boys' Brigade has been a firm supporter of the President's
Challenge since its inception in 2000 by organising projects that
will help the President's Challenge in educating the public not
just to be aware of the less fortunate but also to bring joy and
cheer to them.
More then 60 community service activities designed by the BB were
compiled in the BB CARES Book and uploaded to the website www.bb.org.sg/bbcares
for BB Companies to select and be involved in from Aug 29 to 31,
2003.
The BB, as a Christian organisation, believes in active participation
in community service among BB members and others. This is an important
expression of its Christian love and concern for the well-being
of others.
BB Companies will be actively engaging their respective stakeholders
to volunteer alongside them. Stakeholders like BB Boys' parents,
sponsoring churches and schools, and Old Boys will be approached
to be involved, to be a blessing to the less fortunate within
our community.
To experience volunteering, join The Boys' Brigade at the BB CARES
Community Service Weekend on Aug 30, 2003. Register with The Boys'
Brigade at tel: 6737-0377 or email: bbcares@bb.org.sg
The closing date for registration is Aug 15, 2003.