My Own Happiness Project

My Own Happiness Project
because happiness begins inside and flows out...

20091130

thanks very much.......

I would like to personally thank those that has endured the sun and heat at Gaya Street during the AIDS Awareness Campaign last week: staffs and volunteers from KASIH - Monica, Cecelia, Joseph, Agnes, Margaret, Jason, Ng and the guy (aiseh tompinai, siou, lupa pula sya nama ko sudah.. hehe), Emmelia, Sandra, Angeline, John, Jeremy and Fawzul (for agreeing to do this despite being on holiday from KL), Kay and all your beautiful angels from Starbucks - what would we do without you guys?! Of course not forgetting DrFong and her girls!

For your financial support (though it would have been so much more fun with you guys being around!!): Mizal, Elson, Ewann and Phyllis

For coming to visit us and making the whole thing a success: Ben, Effendy, Julia and Jaco, and not forgetting my dad, mom and uncle NK, and all of you who agreed to take a cake from us despite being super suspicious about our shrimp behind the rock in handing out free cupcakes.

Thanks very much
arteo

universal access and human rights........

The theme for World AIDS Day 2009 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. Global leaders have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care, recognising these as fundamental human rights. Valuable progress has been made in increasing access to HIV and AIDS services, yet greater commitment is needed around the world if the goal of universal access is to be achieved. Millions of people continue to be infected with HIV every year. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.

The protection of human rights is fundamental to combating the global HIV and AIDS epidemic. Violations against human rights fuel the spread of HIV, putting marginalised groups, such as injecting drug users and sex workers, at a higher risk of HIV infection. By promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free from discrimination.

World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us - individuals, communities and political leaders - to take action and ensure that human rights are protected and global targets for HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care are met.

avent.org

having the cake... and eating it too...

It has been a while since the last time I remember how it felt to have a group of friends out, doing something for the community (flash back to the Chow Kit days.. or rather, nights... some 10 years ago!)... The last Sunday I had a chance to do that again, in conjuction with KASIH's yearly AIDS Awareness campaign. And it felt good!

Ookikuro woke up rather early for work (a four-wheeler's got to do what a four-wheeler's got to do!) carrying stuffs from KASIH centre to Gaya Street. Having no parking even as early as before 7am, I decided to make the most out of owning a truck -- driving up a curb and parking on the sidewalk, just next to the bank, as close as I could get to the booth-site. My justification, there are a lot of illegal parkers, double parking all over the place anyway, and at least I wasn't blocking the traffic. But I ended up with a ticket and all those other fishers blocking the traffic didn't! Bowdow betul!

The STARBUCKS Angels from coffee-heaven, helping out to create awareness as part of their community project!

Anyway the purpose of the outing was to create public awareness on HIV/AIDS related issues, and get people to at least talk about it... Usually KASIH will be handing out red ribbons for people to wear, but noticing that they usually end up on the floor year after year, we decided to do something different this year - handing out cupcakes with red ribbons on it.

The initial fantasy was to have cupcakes with cream and red marzepan ribbon on them, but I guess limited by availability of marzepan and money to do it, the fantasy was reduced to a reality of bread-van type of cupcakes in plastic wrapping with a red ribbon taped on its top. Oh well, cupcakes schmupcakes, kalau boleh makan, kasi on ja lah...

One obeservation that we did on that day, was that people has taken to the impossibility of free lunchs in the real world. Sabahans actually find it difficult to grasp the fact that there could be some buggers on the street handing out free cupcakes, just because..! Think that it's difficult to do direct selling on the road? Try giving out free stuffs, lagi susah!

Despite the initial low momentum, we managed to dish out 500 pieces of cupcakes and 2000 pieces of good quality condoms by mid-morning!! How about that?! Heh..

During the interview by Insight Sabah. Read the interview here, the last time I checked it's not published yet, so come back soon!

In creating AIDS awareness, condoms are obvious, but why cupcakes? What has it got to do with HIV or AIDS? Well, I've got this question a lot, but my point is, that it isn't really about the cupcakes, as much as getting people to talk about the red ribbon on them. We need to start talking about it, discussing it in our homes and schools and social circles. Awareness only comes via talking about it!

World AIDS Day is celebrated around the globe annually on the 1st of December, to remind us that we all have a part to play to control and prevent the spread of the HIV pandemic.

20091126

cupcakes for hiv/aids awareness campaign........

I'd like to extend a heartiest gratitude to all friends and families who has agreed to join in the fun, distributing cupcakes, creating awareness on HIV/AIDS issues and giving for charity at the same time! As promised, your RM50 contribution will be accompanied by a branded red t-shirt (I know how some of you feel about round-neck Ts, but this is the best bargain I could get for now) and delivered to you preferably before Saturday or on Sunday morning itself ;-)

Those who are coming, please sms/text me your preferred size (gauge: I wear XL, John wears L and Sandra wears M..) If in doubt, gimme a call, I'll size you up, hehe...
  1. Emmelia (M)
  2. Sandra (M)
  3. Angeline (M)
  4. Jeremy (S)
  5. John (L)
  6. Fawzul
  7. Phyllis
  8. Julia (please confirm)
  9. Jaco (please confirm)
  10. Junior
  11. Elson
I would also like to thank those who could make it for that day, but have supported and contributed to this cause: Mizal and Ewann

See you guys soon, please remember to text me your Ts size okay!
arteo

20091124

charity is back in fashion.....

while spotting red as the new black.......

Update on Project Cupcake
We need a donation of RM50 to cover the cost of the 500 cupcakes, and while at it, we'll throw in a branded red t-shirt so we can wear the same colour on distribution day. Come join us to promote awareness on HIV/AIDS, get filled with cakes and look fashionable while at it!

Buzz me!
arteo

hiv/aids awareness is a piece of cake.......

Cupcake, to be exact!

This year, KASIH will be doing its World AIDS Day awareness campaign early. We will be putting up a booth in Gaya Street on Sunday, 29th Nov, somewhere near the water fountain, from morning till noon.
The usual itinerary of the event: pamphlets and condom handouts, and perhaps on the spot HIV screening test (free of charge). Usually we'll be handing out red cloth ribbons with pins or sticky tapes to stick on, but this year, we'll do something different - we'll be handing out cupcakes with red ribbons icing! 500 cupcakes to be handed out, how about that!!

Here, I am calling for friends who'd like to contribute to the campaign, particularly to get the cakes - we'll split the cost evenly, so the more people gets in, the less we need to chip in -- good idea? Drop me a line here or in FB to let me know if you're keen to help distribute the cakes on Sunday too!

Look out for us this coming Sunday at Gaya Street, we'll be wearing RED, and spotting a red ribbon, of course.

arteo

20091110

you raise me up......

Rolf Lovland, Brenden Graham
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

There is no life - no life without its hunger;
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.

20091109

new band of army........

Recently there has been a promotion and relocation activity in the State Health Department, and somehow it greatly affected Beluran District Health Office, so much so that by end of this year or early next year, the management team would be lead by a totally new crews.

For a start, I might get a transfer back to the HQ since another more qualified personal is coming over, I don't think I want to be stranded in Beluran and be the second officer in command... haha. Now Sister Rosliah has been promoted as a Matron, and has to work in Sandakan, Sister Malin gets a transfer back to Tawau after 2 rounds of application, Sister Saibi is back in Ranau. PPKP in chief Nosliu might get a lateral transfer to Sandakan Health Office, and PPP in chief Sius is already applying for Keningau. Management side Executive Officer Cham Pa's husband has got a transfer back to West Malaysia and that means she will follow suit pretty soon.

Talking about a total overhaul!