"Saving your Kidneys" Campaign @ Kuching, Sarawak

Together with the IPP of the Lions Club of Ipoh Metro (N.C), Lion Marcus Loh, we were given the opportunity to travel to Kuching to lead the "Saving Your Kidneys" campaign by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), fully sponsored by DiGi. The team comprised Teen Ambassador of the NKF, Azizi Zakaria, and 3 other LEO Club member that included Leo Steven Tiw (from SMI Ipoh) & Leo Aaron Gabriel & Leo Kamaldip (La Salle Klang). Initially, Marcus headed a team of locals from Kuching together with Azizi. In the 2nd week, the 3 Leos joined them.. with flights, accomodation and all expenses fully paid for by Event Plus (M) Sdn Bhd & the Lions Club of Ipoh Metro N.C.

NKF CAMPAIGN PRELUDE: LIONS NURSING HOME FAMILY DAY
Before the 2nd week of the campaign started, these 3 Leos were given the opportunity to attend the Family Day of Lions Nursing Home...

Leos Steven, Aaron & Kamaldip got a chance to take part in some of the activities too!

The gang also got a chance to meet up with LIONS International Director, Hjh Ellis Suriati, who is also the Chairperson for the Lions Nursing Home too! Pn Hjh Ellis has always been an inspiration to myself personally... and my work too. I am always inspired with high motivation especially after listening to any one of her speeches and talks. Her words of wisdom truly brings out the best in you.. If I am ever given a chance to work with her on anything at all, it would be my biggest honour and priviledge! :)

"SAVING YOUR KIDNEYS" @ KUCHING...

Before the 2nd week started... Leos Steven, Aaron and Kamaldip were also given an
opportunity to witness a Live! radio interview of Azizi on SarawakFM with DJ Am!
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As the Teen Ambassador of NKF, Azizi has been giving such talks in Melaka, Johor, PJ and now in Kuching. We visited non-Leo based schools LEO based schools like SMK Pandungan, SMK & SK Batu Lintang, Kuching High, St. Thomas, SMK St.Teresa, SMK Chung Hua amongst others... The main objective of the campaign is to urge school going teenagers to reduce the intake of sugar and salty food.. hence keeping their lifestyle as healthy as possible and of course, preserving their kidneys at a tip-top condition.

St. Teresa LEO Club members with Azizi

DISTRICT 308A2 & B3 LEO FELLOWSHIP-FUNDRAISER

Leos keying in their e-mails so that we can add them on Facebook, Twitter or blogs later..
Truly a great fellowship that expanded across regions!!!


Kuching Leos are a fun bunch! Seen here one of their younger, smaller sized Leo member
kena "saboh" by his gang of mischieves. Haha...

Leos from District308A2 seen here "attacking" Leo Steven... (haha) for badges exchange! :P

This trip to Kuching really was a meaningful one for us all.. as we managed to build bridges across to District308A2... With that, expertise & experience can be shared too! In time to come the Leo Club of Swinburne University (O) and the Leo Club of Georgetown Mutiara will become sister clubs.. Thus engaging in more inter-district activities! We hope that one day, challenging all odds, some alpha clubs will also twin! (Hint-hint... St.Thomas was interested when I threw them the idea! hmmmmm..)

I conducted some games too...hehe.. (bad habits die hard)

Azizi performed a song too... and a Leo Xavier from Leo Club of St Thomas sang Gary Chaw's 背叛 too!

The Fellowship ended at about 9.30pm.. here's a group photo of the remaining Leos who were still very fresh despite the fact that they have school tomorrow (?) - haha.. ya ya.. it's the last day of school one said.. and some said it's already holidays! (tskk! tskkk!)

The "Saving Your Kidneys" campaign sponsor in Kuching, DiGi & Giant-Ants (M) Sdn Bhd, talent agency for Azizi Zakaria, sponsored the dinner for the fellowship. Each LEO and Lion paid an entrance fee to the event of which all proceeds , a total of RM425.00 raised, will go to the National Kidney Foundation. Even though not a huge amount... but heyyyy... this fellowship was not even planned in the first placed! It is never about the amount, it is always about the fact that we try our best in giving hope to the people in need. It's always the small steps in Making the Difference!!! :)

Aite! It's already 3.30am...last night @ Kuching ... but our work is not done yet. We are visiting the NKF Dialysis Center in Kuching tomorrow to help out whatever we can... and later a final promo of "Saving Your Kidneys" @ a local shopping mall here before we fly back to Kuala Lumpur...

Kuching has been fun. I definitely would love to come back in the near future!

Lion Alan Thoo
DC Leo
District 308B2

Let's help Abg Shafie & Family have a stress-free Raya Celebration this year.

Just over last weekend, I flew in Dina, Azizi & Baki Zainal to Langkawi as a part-sponsor for flights. Also with us were members of the media from karangkfra (you guys rock!!!) and Zeekaa from Fashion Online (Blogger yg glamer ya.. jgn main2).

Anywayz, it was a combined effort of the KL/ & local media + Giant-Ants Talent Hub... and of course the major driver is none other than Westin Langkawi!!!!

Shafie Mustaffa, 30+, lives with wife and 3 schooling kids aged 4, 11 & 12 in Langkawi, Kedah. He used to be a staff in Westin Langkawi @ the In-room service separtment. Early this year, Shafie constantly had fever and always felt tired and had body aches. It was then learned that he had Hepatitis B that attacked his liver with cancer @ stage 2!!! He has had half his liver and gald bladder cut off to sustain his life.

Currently, after his operations that cost a big bomb... he still has to go to Kedah Medical Centre once a month to get his medication which cost Abg Shafie about RM700+ a month. There was a night when Abg Shafie tried to lift a chair and it hurt him so much that the management has decided that he should stay home to rest and recover. Even so, Westin places high respect and care for its staff... they still pay for his medical needs.

Dina, Azizi & Baki with local/KL media + Westin staff visited Abg Shafie and his family at his half completed home in Langkawi.

On the very same night, a dinner was held @ Westin Langkawi where guests attended donated some small sum to Abg Shafie and family. Dina and Azizi sang some songs to entertain the guests with Baki hosting the event.

This entire outing in Langkawi stopped me and made me rewind to look at my life and what I have now vs. some unfortunate souls who aspire to have what others have but simply are slapped with bad luck and I have to say, it's probably just fate and life challenge that they have to face...

We have done a small part in highlighting Abg Shafie's plight to the public. His wife, who wants to work to suppor the family... is still waiting for our "highly efficient" social welfare department to get her a job or to support her... been waiting for 4 months now and still there's no news. I was told that the media has done quite a good job and they are bringing some of the department officers to visit Abg Shafie soon.

My main worries... are the welfare of the kids. Adik Ai Man, who is just 4, is so adorable and cute. He may not know what is happening here... but I know though.. It's not going to be easy for him as he gradually grows up and slowly understanding what's going on. I really hope that Ai Man could continue his studies... be a "someone"... and will be ableto contribute back to his family in years to come...

I would like to activate ALL LEOS... and also, call upon ALL Lions in Kedah & Penang....! We can either donate cash directly to Abg Shafie's account directly, or send goodies via Westin to the family.

How about this.. let's celebrate Hari Raya together. It doesn't mean that we have to be Muslim to celebrate Hari Raya. Whether we are Malays, Chinese or Indians. or any other races. THERE'S A MALAYSIAN that is desperately in need of our help and let's heed that call!!!! That's what I call ONE MALAYSIA!

My ears are open for any form of proposal! The one that I have is... let's all make a visit to Abg Shafie's house! I can't be flying everyone in... I would rather convert the costs into donations to Abg Shafie. So... let's go over and celebrate Raya with them perhaps? better not have too big a group.... Kedah & Penang Leos.. I leave this to you...

Regards

Lion Alan Thoo
District Chairperson for LEO Clubs
District308B2
Malaysia (Selangor - Kedah)

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A Hectic Weekend....!

Well, being newly appointed as the District Chairperson for Leo Clubs for District 308B2, I have to say, last weekend was really a hectic one for me! As i have promised to all before, I will try my very best to attend all functions if possible, however, my hands are tied as the timing was all packed!

Travelling from PJ to Ipoh to pick up 4 Leos... then to Alor Star.. then back to Ipoh for a CLD seminar.. then rushed back to PJ for 2 events... the words of "Wah liaoooooo ehhh!" almost came out of everyone that knew our route! Hahah... but then again, it was really fun to meet up with Leos & Lions from all over the district... Inevitably, new friendship blossomed... and borders widened...

REGION 1, KEDAH, JOINT INSTALLATION & ANNIVERSARY!

Left: Newly installed Presidents for the 4 Leo Clubs in Alor Star
Right: Anniversary celebration with Leos and Lions

The 4 Leo Clubs managed to induct >100 new Leos!!!!
Job Well Done!!!!!

Members of the Lions Club of Alor Star Host
& Leo Club of Alor Star

Region 4 Perak Leos & Region 3 Kedah Leos...
bridging borders... creating friendship!

We left Alor Star after the dinner event, about 11pm-ish... and arrived no earlier than 3am in Ipoh! Slumped down on the bed and slept for a couple of hours...!

CLD @ SMJK Sam Tet, Ipoh

Next, as early as 830am, The Leo Club of Sam Tet hosted the 1st CLD Orientation seminar & examination for new members. Other clubs also participated in the Orientation. A record breaking 130 Leos sat for the examination!!!
(Note: Until further notice, all CLD events are temporarily put on hold till further notice from the CLD Board)

Leo President, Daniel Kok from Sam Tet (2nd from left) with a few of
his B.O.D who put together the Orientation Seminar & Examination

10TH ANNUAL INSTALLATION OF
THE LEO CLUB OF PETALING JAYA INTEGRITY

An innovative idea emerged @ PJI's installation.. this is where Taylor College's
Mr Adrian Kuah, founder of "Breaking the Silence", a program to create awareness
and education on HIV/AIDs gave a short speech and presentations on the topic.
He also urged all Leos to consider taking part in this program to further educate the young
ones today on the danger of this disease.

Presentation of certificates/awards of achievements (from LEO Forum)
to Leo Club of PJI's members

Induction of 16 new members of the Leo Club of PJI! Bravo!!!!

Sponsoring Lions Club President, Lion Shanker, installed
the new Board of Directors for the fiscal year 2009/2010 with
Leo President, Leo Beatrice Grace Chan taking over the leadership of
the club

Leos from PJ & Ipoh!!!!

URBAN GROOVE CONCERT
by Lions Club of PJ Metro

Azizi Zakaria, Teen Ambassador of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF)
sang alongside Ben J & Zenny Lyn (Leo Club of Ipoh Metro President & Secretary)
for the Urban Groove concert in aid of the NKF Funds.

They sang 3 song together and then, Azizi sang his hit single,
Kamu Semua thereafter!

FELLOWSHIP BRUNCH @ SS3
& SHOPPING @ ONE UTAMA

After a long day on the 11th, Leos from Anderson & St. Michael's (Ipoh) who
stayed back another day joined members of the Leo Clubs of PJI, Subang Utama,
Seafield & Ipoh Metro to have brunch @ Ms Reads @ One Utama, PJ.

@ the bus stand minuted before departure....
Such fellowship across regions should be encouraged and focused on!!!
We shouldn't wait till the yearly LEO Forum to meet Leos from other regions!
take the initiative to cross borders!!! Build friendship, organize projects together...

It is only then... the true meaning of LEO will emerge!!!
Sharing and caring need not be amongst just Leos from your region/district!
Let's expand that border so that the entire District 308B2 will come as one closely knit family!

(Disclaimer: Please obtain all consent from school authorities, sponsoring Lions Clubs,
parents etc etc prior to 'crossing borders' ya! Don't get us into trouble. hahaha! :P)

Crossing borders... bridging fellowship...

Dear Leos,

In the up & coming fiscal year, I really hope that I can see more cross regional activities done. In the current fiscal year, we had the official Twinning Ceremony between Leo Club of South Kowloon & the Leo Club of Ipoh Unity... one ceremony done in Ipoh, and another in Hong Kong with members of each club sending few to attend each one of them!

Then, there was the Leo Club of Anderson & La Salle fellowship-charity XMas project to an orphanage in Klang too....Most recently, we had lots of Penang Leos taking a an entire busload of people down to Ipoh to attend Ipoh's Region 3 Farewell Ceremony...

The last 2 forums, the one in Ipoh & the one in Penang, were organized by Leos from all around the district!

Of course, there are lots of factors to consider prior to attending or jointly organizing any cross regional or district projects. i.e. advisors approval, parental consent etc etc etc. Once all these rules have been followed, I don't see no reason why Leos from around our district can't interact with each other and Lepak together? Think about it! Being a Leo doesnt mean that we are to confine to only our club... So, if there are functions around the district, try to attend (with permissions ya. don't forget that! Verrrrrry important, otherwise I get myself into deep trouble when you quote me by saying.."There.. that Lion Alan lahh.. he say can go attend wan .. go attend lorrrr...")

Cross regional or district projects give us an option to expand our circle of friendship. Thus, bringing all Leos in the district one step closer!

There are a few up & coming projects ya...
10th July (Friday) - Kedah LEO Joint Installation @ Alor Star
11th July (Saturday) - Leo Club of PJI Installation

Now.. I'm driving up to Alor Star on the 10th afternoon, passing Ipoh. I can pick up several BODs on the way to attend the Kedah event. Maximum of 5 ya... and stay a night in Kedah. I'll pay for your hotel. :) Next morning, 8am, I have to do an Orientation seminar & exam @ SMJK Sam Tet, Ipoh. Either I drop you guys off, orrrr... you can follow me down to KL, to attend PJI's installation.

I can have a maximum of 5 people to follow me from Ipoh's side to go up or down? Anyone from Region 5 (Selangor) who wants to follow me to Kedah, you are more than welcomed! Give me a buzz if you want to follow me on this roadtrip ya!

Do note: If you are below 18, you need to obtain parental consent and also all your advisors have to be informed on this. :) Give me a buzz. First come first serve basis ya!

Best of regards
Ln Alan Thoo
DC Leo (Designate) FY 2009/2010