Appeal To Save SMARTER

Taken from Borneo Bulletin Weekend Opinion Page dated 23th October 2010

Who will rescue Brunei's SMARTER?

I salute SMARTER for your quest to help autistic children in Brunei. Not many of us can actually endure all the hardships and problems that your society has faced for the past years. Your dedication and perseverance is truly remarkable.

I am one with you in saying that relevant agencies should work hand in hand in helping these children.

It is a fact that a lot of knocking on doors has been made in the past at various agencies. But if at this point, the only thing they can provide you still is the promise of making policies that will guide and protect the rights of these children, then they are only looking at the future. But, what about the present?

It is like visiting their house and just only asking for a glass of water because you are tired and thirsty but their response is for you to sit and wait as they also want to serve you a feast.

Isn't it right to serve the water first while waiting for the preparation of the feast rather than let the person die of thirst?

Time is running out. Action is needed immediately to address the needs of these children without delay.

It is the same in an accident situation wherein "first aid" should be given immediately to the victim to stabilise his condition in the accident site before transporting him to the hospital where further assistance will be given. Various relevant agencies should understand that at this point SMARTER is facing a crucial situation.

Any plans that the relevant agencies will make for the future will be useless if nothing is done in the present - immediate help.

I have been following your journey for the past few years. I have seen how you have struggled and still able to surface in the end. However, it is saddening to know that you have reached the verge of closing your centre.

If that happens, where would these children go? Who would help them?

For a wealthy and developing country like our beloved Brunei, it shouldn't be difficult to seek assistance from the government especially since SMARTER has done nothing but to bring recognition to what Brunei has to offer - a society that provides a world class quality service for autistic children.

Wouldn't it be of concern if other countries gets to know about the struggles SMARTER Brunei has to go through, just to sustain its mere existence?

It is futile for me to point fingers at various agencies on what they should be doing. I am only expressing my empathy to you, SMARTER, and voicing out my concerns regarding this alarming situation that you are facing right now wherein the children are the ones that will suffer the most in this predicament.

It has been announced by a Senior Government officer that a committee for special needs individuals will be formed, a big round of applause I should say and congratulations.

It needs to be speed up but alas a bigger picture needs to be attend first perhaps as more bigger issues will have to be resolved .

Perhaps maybe the relevant agencies should visit the NGO that needs the required assistance like SMARTER. Is our country too big for such agency to step up to the doors of the NGO?.

It would be a move needed to seek for themselves what have they done so far, to inquire what is the success so far and to give assistance to improve things further .

For an NGO like SMARTER I am sure as a family oriented organisation, needs and deserves the support in various areas especially financial support .

I also came to understand that almost half of the families or parents in SMARTER work in various government agencies and they have toiled hard to serve the people of the nation and they would be happy and appreciate very much if help for the individuals with Autism in SMARTER is given right now, since these special children need it to live

- In Support of Special Individuals


Appealing for help to save Brunei's autistic people

It will be sad day indeed if SMARTER were to close down just because they have no money to go on. Yes maybe the public can say they can go to other NGOs that provide the same services, but it will be taking time for these individuals to adapt and settle in another environment. It's just not the same like children changing schools. It will also be a waste of their past nine years if they were to fold. Where will my brother and the rest get suitable support?

I am also to understand that every month a new autistic individual wants to register but the place was too small and therefore had a long waiting list.

The programme conducted has been very beneficial and my brother has improved and gained a lot especially as it is tailored for his needs.

SMARTER has done a lot since it began years back , a lots of charitable activities to raise funds and we the siblings have been involved in offering our fullest support . My deepest appreciation to the public for their contributions .

I have seen various new officers and senior government officers promoted in various Ministries in the past years and policies and new rules and regulations drawn out.

I hope there will be a difference in the way autism is treated as well. Hopefully they too will see a change.

A previous writer in your Opinion pages recently said he/she was sad a developed country like Brunei who has modern medical infrastructure does not have expertise to tackle Autism related issues, maybe apparently there is on the pipeline to engage one.

The commenter only mentioned Ministry of Health to look into such matters pertaining to specials individuals. I would like to add in the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Welfare should also be tasked to help them .

I also salute the President of SMARTER for all his tireless hard work to help form the society.

He fights for the rights of Autistic individuals.

I as a sibling of an Autistic individual am sure members of SMARTER would humbly appreciate the help and assistance given to prevent and avoid SMARTER from shutting down .

I humbly hope and pray His Majesty's Government will extend the necessary support for these Autistic people of Brunei and am sure our beloved Monarch will listen and give the required support for his citizens .

- A Humble Sibling of a Special Individual, BSB