James Kon
Over 40 activities have been lined up for Day Of Action (DOA) campaign in Brunei Darussalam involving 35 agencies.
Themed ‘Solidarity Through Volunteering’, the DOA began yesterday and will end on January 31, 2023.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports’ (MCYS) Youth and Sports Department, it features nine programme clusters – animal rights; arts and culture; society; natural disasters; education; green initiatives; social entrepreneurship; spirituality and religion; and youth development.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi bin Haji Mohamad launched the DOA during an event to mark International Volunteer Day 2022 at Tutong Sports Complex.
Director of Youth and Sports Umi Kalthum binti Haji Abdul Karim said, “MCYS, through its Youth and Sports Department, introduced the DOA in 2015 to mark International Volunteer Day celebrated globally every December 5.”
She said in 2020, 126 programmes were carried out by 93 organisations involving 2,800 volunteers. The DOA grew to 215 programmes by 107 organisations involving 13,000 volunteers despite it being held virtually due to COVID-19.
The director said the DOA organising committee approved 42 volunteer programmes and is expecting more by the end of the initiative on January 31, 2023.
She also urged youth and volunteers to be proactive in organising activities.
Meanwhile, the minister presented certificates to 10 volunteers and 10 organisations with active participation through the Mengalinga app.
It continued with a handover of certificates of appreciation to Home Quarantined Individuals (HQI) volunteers and sponsors.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi later flagged off a four-wheel drive convoy to deliver aid to flood victims in the Tutong District. The minister then joined DOA activities at a skate park playground where he and his spouse painted and planted saplings.
Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Nazmi also joined a cleaning campaign at a senior citizen’s home and presented donations at Kampong Penanjong organised by the Community Development Department (JAPEM) and volunteers.
The minister then headed to Penanjong Beach for a tree planting event, organised by Penanjong Village Consultative Council (MPK Penanjong) before joining an activity at Tutong Youth Centre.
Permanent Secretary (Youth) at the MCYS Haji Zakaria bin Haji Serudin, Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the MCYS Pengiran Haji Mohd Hasnan bin Pengiran Haji Ali Hassan, Permanent Secretary (Community) at the MCYS Hajah Nor Ashikin binti Haji Johari and Deputy Permanent Secretary (Culture) at the MCYS Dr Siti Norkhalbi binti Haji Wahsalfelah were also present.
The United Nations designated December 5 as International Volunteer Day. The day is an opportunity for volunteers and organisations to celebrate their efforts, share and promote their work as well as contribute to peace by supporting the recognition of volunteers in development programmes.
The local International Volunteer Day is aimed at providing a platform to bring together Bruneians to promote volunteerism as well as being a symbol of unity in achieving positive change through cooperation.
