Flying on the Wind
 
 
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Kite-flying can be a magical experience, especially when you share the experience with someone who is able to appreciate the beauty of wings taking flight. This was certainly the case for UCSI University’s Best Buddies as they paired up with persons with learning disabilities (LD) from Dignity & Services (D&S) on the 19th of July 2009 to take them under their wings and go kite-flying. D&S is an advocacy movement speaking and acting on behalf of and alongside persons with LD.

UCSI University students under the Best Buddies Society, together with their new friends from D&S car-pooled and drove to the Kepong Metropolitan Park at 3.30p.m. After a short demonstration on how to fly the kites, each Best Buddy member was paired with a child from D&S. The children’s faces lit with pure joy as their kites took off into the blue skies.  They tugged, and ran and pulled the kites along under the guidance of their young coaches.

It’s been more than a year since the UCSI University started the Malaysian chapter for Best Buddies here. Now, more and more persons with LD, together with their parents, have developed great faith and trust for the Best Buddies cause, which is to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships.

Currently, three UCSI University students have officially paired up with their buddies, while more are in the works. One of them is College Buddy,  Gan Hui Chian. Hui Chian also maintains the Best Buddies Malaysia website. Her buddy is Teoh Hooi Ting. According to Hui Chian, meeting and making new friends was one of her goals when she entered the University, but she never expected to be part of the Best Buddies group and to find a true friend along the way. “I wanted to do something that would make a difference in my life and to also make an impact on others. So, when I was matched with Hooi Ting, I was really happy. She has been a real confidant who is easy to talk to and be friends with,” she said. The two keep in touch via text messaging and emails. Once in a while, they would meet up for an outing. “I hope to discover more about her, as well as about myself, as our friendship deepens.”

Teo Hui Ru, UCSI University’s Best Buddies Malaysia Director says that the Best Buddies has transformed her to be a more sensible and responsible person. “As the Director for Best Buddies, I have learnt to delegate jobs and work with my team members.  I have developed a stable friendship with them.” A few months ago, Hui Ru was officially paired up with Charmaine Chan, a girl with LD. “Although Charmaine has Down Syndrome, her dedication and determination to enrich her own life is amazing. She has been a powerful motivator for me due to her cheerful character,” she says.

Muhammad Omer Niaz, a final year Psychology student, has been part of the Best Buddies Malaysia since 2008. He has been part of the organising team to co-ordinate events to educate the Malaysian public on the Best Buddies cause. His buddy is Ho Wai Keen. “Wai Keen likes to joke around a lot and to hang out and watch movies. He also plays the violin and is also a very disciplined person, being able to manage his time very well.” Wai Keen was recently part of an event organised by the UCSI University students called BB Got Talent, where persons with learning disabilities were able to showcase their talent.

We now realise that kite-flying is still a favourite past time as those who had gone to Metropolitan Park discovered that day. This century old sport of kite-flying has certainly transcended time. And like this sport, all of the Best Buddies Malaysia members believe that friendships would also pass the test of time to remain strong and true like the kites that were flying in the wind.

Best Buddies is a non-profit organisation (NPO), from the United States of America. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is dedicated to the enhancement of the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships as well as integrated employment.

Despite being an NPO, the core of Best Buddies is evidently based on fostering friendships among individuals and to work towards defeating stereotypes and boundaries bestowed upon an individual with intellectual disabilities. It introduces a simple plan i.e. a programme whereby college students (college buddies) are matched with individuals of similar ages (or otherwise) who are mentally challenged (nicknamed as buddies), for friendship and social outings.

UCSI University is the first education institution in Malaysia to adopt the Best Buddies programme and has more than a dozen passionate students who are actively involved. They are recruiting more students to join in Best Buddies; forms necessary to join in the programme can be found at http://www.ucsi.edu.my/sao/studDev.asp. For more information, you can email bestbuddies.ucsi@gmail.com or call 03-9101 8880, ext: 3165. Or you can just visit: http://bestbuddiesucsi.blogspot.com.
     
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