A Silent Walk in the Night

Thursday June 23, 2011
Walking in solidarity

CHILDREN and youths with learning disabilities will walk together during “A Silent Walk In The Night” event on July 2.

To be held at Central Park Bandar Utama 1, the focus of this event is to celebrate milestones and help integrate special children into the community.

The event is organised by volunteers made up of care-givers, educators and members of the public, with the support of Dignity and Services Bhd, an advocacy movement for persons with learning and intellectual disabilities.
All smiles: Yim (centre) with special children at a performance recently.

Calling themselves “Raise Voice @ Dignity and Services”, the volunteers want to emphasise on reinforcing awareness, greater support for consultation and advocacy, more interaction with special children and parents/care-givers, and fundraising — for continuous awareness programmes like this.

“Through an event such as this, we wish to remind society that these children with their own aspirations can shine brightly if given a helping hand,” said Rebecca Jane Thomas, an educator who works with children with learning disabilities.

“We all have a responsibility towards creating a change and making a difference in the lives of special children.

“The struggles and difficulties faced by this community and their care-givers cannot be ignored.

“We should strive more to empower and integrate them into society.

“The walk provides an opportunity for everyone irrespective of age, colour, creed and status to participate, emphasise and get to know children and youth with learning disabilities.

“Anyone who has a heart can participate and by doing so will be supporting caregiving, education, advocacy and research,” she added.

“A Silent Walk In The Night” will showcase several musical performances by special children.

There will also be entertainment by guest artiste Brian John Yim, games, creative and educational activities.

The carnival-like atmosphere will kick off with registration at 3pm and finish at 8pm.

In the last hour, there will be a 60-minute walk in silence with lights such as candles, lanterns or torches to show support towards enhancing the lives of children and youths with disabilities.

Prizes will be given to the most creative lights. To participate in the walk, the public have to pay a minimum registration fee of RM10.

For details, contact Rebecca Jane Thomas (016-220 7091), Neena Raina (017-875 9456, Chrissy Loh (012-267 1783), Aishath Amira (012-350 9362 or Vanaja Dhanan (012-219 8161).