BSP staff donates to Learning Ladders

THE Learning Ladders Society for Autism Awareness on March 14 received a contribution with a total amount of $5,225 from an expatriate, Ian Donaldson, at a simple ceremony at the Empire Hotel and Country Club, Jerudong.

"I informed my friends at Brunei Shell Petroleum (BSP) and from other companies that they could give me the money if I completed a 20-kilometre swim which was held in Australia," said Ian.

He added that he told his friends that the money will be donated to the Learning Ladders society.

He added that most of his friends agreed with him as he has a good intention and further more, he used his own expenses to pay for the whole trip, registration and accommodation.

"The 20-kilometre swim was organised by the Rottnest Channel Swim Association and started from Cottesloe Beach to Rottnest Island in Perth, Australia," said the 46-year-old expatriate. He added before the competition, he underwent six months training at the Panaga swimming pool and he scored the 114th position out of 148 participants.

He said that he was determined to complete the swim and even though he found it tough, he felt a great sense of achievement in finishing the race.

He added that the first time he participated in this tournament was in 1997 and this was the sixth time he participated in such event. He said that after a while, he came up with an idea to raise fund in supporting a local Brunei charity organisation.

"I could just ask for a collection directly from my friends if I wanted to, but it was not fun at all as I wanted to show them something worthwhile before he asked for the contribution," said Ian.

Ian has been working in BSP as Chief Explorationist for almost three years now.

He said that he has distributed circulars and posters explaining his good intentions.

Ian's wife, Karen who came from Scotland said that she also helped his husband by distributing the circulars at Brunei Shell Recreation Club's (BSRC) Horse Riding Club. She said that she felt happy to support his husband's sincere intention to help the Learning Ladders Society.

"I selected to present the donation to the Learning Ladders Society as they did a fantastic job in raising awareness on autism and supporting families of autistic children," said Ian.

He added that after hearing from his workmate, Abdullah Ibrahim and wife, Molly, about this local charity organisation, he felt highly motivated to help these unfortunates. He said that by giving this donation, he believed that it would support their needs and raise their profile.

The donation was received by Dr Sharina Hj Yunus, the president of Learning Ladder. She said that this donation will specifically be used to support the unfortunate's educational needs.

"Every equipment for these unfortunate children were specially ordered from overseas and the price are really expensive," said the president. She added that with this donation, it would help ease the burden and the expenses of the autistic parents.

She said that the centre even recruited international professional instructors from Canada to teach their special skills on how to deliver the best teaching method to these children. "We absorbed their skills and we practised it to teach the children at the centre," she said.

She said that the Learning Ladders is a parent-based organisation and relied on sponsors, donations and the support of the public.

She said that currently there are now almost 40 children studying at the centre and soon they will be moving to a new building which is located at Gadong.

"This building was given by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and we are glad that the government has been very generous and positive in looking into the welfare of these unfortunate children," she said.

She said that this centre has been actively giving their best care to the unfortunates for the benefit of their future.

"As a parent, we must be responsible for the children's needs," said Dr Sharina whose second son was diagnosed with autism.

She said that the centre had been actively doing activities to raise the fund. However, she welcomed generous individuals, associations, and companies to step forward contribute donations to help the centre. The Brunei Times