Farewell to the Coordinator, A. Annamaney

After 20 years in the ministry for people with intellectual challenges, Annamaney Arumanayagam, pioneer staff of St. Paul’s Day Training Centre, said goodbye to trainees, parents, volunteers and staff.

In 1992, Annam was employed as Malaysian Care staff seconded to St. Paul’s Day Training Centre to start the DTC.  After 6 months of training and preparation, St. Paul’s Day Training Centre was launched.

On Sunday, 22 July, 2012, St. Paul’s Church gave an appreciation breakfast for her.  On her last day, Tuesday, 31 July 2012, Annam hosted a “Thank You and Farewell Lunch for trainees, parents, volunteers and collegues.

Learning to cross a road

The DTC Group 1 trainees learned about traffic and how to cross a road.  For the practical session, they were taken to the road outside the church.

DTC 1 Camp 2012

   Drawing of Starfresh Agro Park by Andrew Chew

Just after the 19th Anniversary & Graduation, the DTC Group 1 Camp was held in Star Fresh AgroPark in Seremban.  22 intellectually challenged persons, 3 staff and 3 volunteers attended this camp held in a refreshingly different venue.  The Agro Park consists of 40 acres of orchard off the road to Kuala Pilah.  Altough the place is not very disabled-friendly, as it is meant more for active school children (domitory  accommodation -first floor – and common toilets on the ground floor), the management and staff are excellent – friendly and helpful.   The food is very good too.

Our young persons (present and ex-trainees) had a wonderful time playing games, putting up their own concert and visiting the farm.  There was also batik painting and paint ball target shooting.  In the nights, we used Mary Easaw Thomas’ book “Mr. Curryleaf Tree Discovers His Role” and talked about how each of us is special and loved by Jesus.  The campers loved reading the book and every spare moment, they were in the hall painting their own book.

We know that God was watching over us for there was no mishap (in spite of the uneven terrain) and when one young camper wandered away from the domitory at 2 am, he was brought back safely.

The camp came to an end with most of us buying fresh fruits from the park for our families at home.

Special thanks to Mr. Kenly and his parents Mr & Mrs Alex Chin who took pains to ensure that we were all well cared for.

DTC 19th Anniversary & Graduation 2012

The DTC celebrated its 19th Anniversary and Graduation on Sunday, 20 May, 2012.  Congratulations to Chin Keat Lai, Mala Suppiah and Wong Jenna who completed their 2 year programme in DTC Group 1.

Angus Koh (Graduate 1995) played Amazing Grace just before the semon, which was preached by Ms. A. Annamaney, the DTC Coordinator.

Bethel EIC Easter Celebration

On Sat. 21 May, 2012, Bethel EIC had a special Easter celebration.  The Easter story was explained and enacted by staff, volunteers, parents and children.  Later, the children played games and coloured  their own Easter egg.  Finally there was a time of singing.

Sadly, we also had to say “Farewell and Bon Voyage” to our faithful volunteer, Ann Pereira.  Ann has been a very committed volunteer for the last 7 years.  She leaves us to move on to  Australia.  Bethel EIC will miss her sorely.  God bless Ann Pereira and family.

Visit of Margaret Carter to the DTC Workshop

Margaret Carter is pioneer for DTC work in Malaysia.  She was with Malaysian Care and wrote the first curiculum which was used by the early DTCs.   On Wednesday, 15 Feb. 2012, Margaret and Joanna Young paid a visit to the DTC Workshop.  It was a joy to see her have a reunion with one of her first trainees – our dear 56 year old Mary Lim.

Social Club Christmas Celebration 3 Dec 2011

The 3 Kings who visited Jesus

Mary Lim wanted to carry Baby Jesus

Brian Khor shared his experience as an autistic boy who overcame barriers with God’s help

28 ladies and 22 young men with intellectual disabilities had a great time with their family and friends at Dewan St. Paul on Sat. 3 Dec. 2011.  The special people took the opportunity to take part in the Nativity Play.  The 3 kings looked resplendent in their red, blue and black.  The virgin Mary craddled the baby Jesus in her arms while Joseph, the shepherds and the angels looked on.  When everything was over, our dear 56 year old ‘angel’ Mary Lim, did not want to leave the stage until she held the baby Jesus in her arms.

The highlight was a sharing by Brian Khor, former student at Bethel Early Intervention Centre.  After early intervention, Brian (autistic, slow learner and hyper-active), went on to do well in school.  He scored straight A’s in UPSR and PMR.  He is presently sitting for his SPM exams.  He hopes to study Finance and Acturial Science in UK and has been called for an interview for a scholarship under Bank Negara.

Sister Jeba of Ann’s Cottage shared on how she cared for an abandoned special child.

All the special people received Christmas gifts and many more also received special prize of Parkson shopping vouchers, thanks to Mack Tay.   The celebration ended with a lunch.

EIC Christmas Party 2011

Christmas came early to the EIC!  On Saturday, 19 November, 33 adults and 22 children celebrated the birth of Jesus with a time of singing Christmas carols, hearing the Christmas story, decorating the Christmas tree and acting out the Nativity Play.  It was a great end to the school year.

BETHEL EIC GRADUATION 2011

Bethel EIC had their Graduation and end-of-year party on Saturday, 12 November in St. Paul’s Church Hall, Petaling Jaya.  The event was attended by over 90 friends, family members and students.

Visit to Logos Hope – Floating Book Fair

On Thursday, 13 Oct. 2011, the DTC Group 1 had an outing to the ship, Logos Hope, berthed at Port Klang Cruise Centre, Pulau Indah .  Logos Hope is the world’s largest floating book fair and this is her maiden voyage.  Some friends joined us on this visit.