1st KL Boys' Brigade Company

Senior Band Camp

Dates: 18^th of March 2011 (10am) – 20^th of March 2011(12.30pm)

Venue: Menara Wesley,Wesley Methodist Church.

Bring your 1st KL  mufti for Church Service on Sunday.

Junior Achiever’s Camp

Activity:   Junior BB Achievers camp for boys 9-12 years old

Date(s):   18th March 2011 (8pm) – 20th March 2011 (2.30pm)

Venue:    Menara Wesley, Wesley Methodist Church.

Things to bring: Sleeping Bag, Stationery, Exercise book, sufficient clothes, medication (if  needed), Water bottle, slippers, toiletries, torchlight, watergun etc. Members  need  not bring their uniform parts.

Registration form for both camp can be downloaded from  “Downloadable form” link

No Meeting

Kindly be informed that only members who signed up for the Junior Achiever’s camp (Junior) or the Band Camp (Senior) on the 19^th March weekend will need to come next Saturday. For the rest of the members, meeting shall resume at normal timing on 26^th March 2011.

Please be informed that 1st KL will be closed this Saturday.We will resume meeting at normal time on 5th March,2011.To all members who are having examination, we wish you all the best.May God bless and keep you focus on achieving your best during this period.

Hi Present and new member’s Parents!

Gong Xi Fa Chai and a blessed holiday season to everyone!

We are pleased to invite you to come for the Parent’s Dialogue this coming Saturday (12th Feb 2011) from 2.30pm till 4.00pm, followed by an appreciation cum CNY gathering tea with the rest of the boys until 6pm.

We welcome all parents(both new and present member’s parent) to come join us for the parent’s dialogue session, whereby we will showcase a brief background of BB, 1st KL highlights of 2011 plus get to know the officers in each respective session.

You can also bring your child to join our party as below:
1) 7-12 years old (1.30pm-6.15pm)
2) 13-17 years old(12.30pm-6.15pm)
To add to the fun, we also encourage all parents to come decked in your CNY best (orange or red would be great!) although this is not compulsory.

For RSVPs, do email to karhoe18@hotmail.com so that we may cater for the tea accordingly.

Hope to see all of you there!

- W/O Jason Tham

I was at the university Christian Fellowship retreat when I first got the little notification on my Facebook page, indicating the good news that I have been wanting to hear since the past summer: Twelve 1st KL Boys achieved Gold Award as of October 2010!
Six months ago, I got back home from America to meet my family and friends in the name of summer holidays. One factor that has kept me excited all the time was that I am able to reunite with my Brigade friends throughout the summer break.
Prior to my return, I have been planning to serve the company in the short 3-month break but I had no clue in which area I could be of use. So when I heard my fellow Staff Sergeant Yong said that he could use a helping hand with the Gold Award candidates, I immediately volunteered. I never knew at that moment that I have embarked onto such an astounding journey.
Putting everything together for a jumpstart was the toughest part of the entire project. Since I do not come from a Junior background (I joined the BB as a Senior), I had very limited clue about the Junior Section’s Award system. The Gold Award is the third highest national-level Award a BB member can achieve. I then studied the system over and over to make sure I do not “violate” any of the standards set for Gold Award application. National Awards like the Gold Award are monitored and invigilated very closely by the BBM (Boys’ Brigade Malaysia) Headquarter.
The basic requirements for a member to achieve the Gold Award are: having graduated from the Junior Section and proceed to the Senior Section; completed all six Awards (White to Silver) in the Junior section; at least twelve but no more than 14 years old during the period of application; and to complete a special project assigned by BBMHQ.
After the initial work was done: gathering all the candidates for briefing sessions; getting their application forms filled-out; and making sure they have the special project packages; we were good to move to the next stage, which is to complete the assigned project.
The theme for the special project was “Recycling.” Candidates were supposed to conduct a small research on ways to recycle, and to study other issues related to the benefits of recycling. At the end of the project, candidates had to conduct a seminar for a group of BB members regarding their study. On top of that, all candidates were evaluated of their basic BB knowledge and personal behaviors by their Officers, school teachers, and parents.
I must say all the candidates were very cooperative throughout the entire process. We made use of the social network, namely Facebook (kids today!), as means to communication and updates. Due to the efforts that all parties put into this project, the task was coming to finishing point by beginning of August. Because I had to fly back to the states to continue my semesters by then, Madame Jennifer took over the remaining tasks and submitted the completed works on my behalf.
It wasn’t till the moment I knew all twelve of the Boys achieved the Award that I finally got loosen up and praise God for his reward for our hard work. What I have learned in doing this project, together with all the candidates, is that nothing will be impossible to a willing heart (and we can do all things through Christ who strengthen us)! There were certainly some obstacles along the way, but we managed to get over them, altogether. I believe this project has also pulled myself closer to the Junior Section as well as the young gentlemen whom I wasn’t close with before this. Even though I do not receive any form of awards like they do, I am undoubtedly as excited as they were because I have benefited from the process more than I could imagine. This is definitely a “golden” experience for me!
Just a sidebar, we also managed to break the 1st KL record of having this many Gold Award achievers within one semester ever since the Award was introduced. I want to take this opportunity to thank all Officers and parents who have helped in one way or another to make this project a success. I could not have done this if it was not for you.
As I prepare myself for the New Year, I indeed look forward to coming home this summer again, to see my family, to meet my friends, and most exhilaratingly, to rejoin my fellow comrades under the banner of Boys’ Brigade.

Please be informed that KL State will be organizing Awards Camp during the coming school holiday. Kindly download the registration form (here – link updated) and submit the form by 23rd October,2011 ( this Saturday).

Venue               : Kem Bina Semangat,N.S. Campsite, Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor.

Date                   : 20th – 23rd November, 2010

Fees                   : RM220.00 p/pax

Closing date    : 2nd October,2010

Awards to be conducted are:

1st KL will be closed during the Raya holidays on 11th Sep 2010. We will resume meeting on 18th Sep on normal hours.

The following speech is dedicated to all 1st KL boys – this was delivered by Mr Yee before the Thanksgiving tea on 19th June 2010

************

A HEART’s description

Now boys, our heart is basically a hollow muscular pump, which pushes the blood through out our body via the blood vessels. A normal-sized healthy heart is roughly the same size as a fist.  It is located between the lungs and slightly to the left of center. It begins to pump early in the life of a fetus and will continue until you die. For those who are good with science, you may know that the right atrium receives the used blood, and the left ventricle pumps the new blood out to the rest of the body.

1^st KL heart

But what I am going to share with you today is not the heart we learn in the science book, but what a 1^st KL heart looks like. Specifically, my very own 1^st KL BB heart.

My heart is looks just like any other heart, with 2 chambers on the left and 2 on the right. Each chamber is very important but one chamber is the most important of them all. Today I am going to let you peep inside my heart and see what lies inside…

My story

In the first 2 chambers – the right side, is where I first discover my BB brotherhood. Remember, the right atrium receives blood? Yes, it is where I store all the early memories of coming to 1stKL in the beginning years. Do you know how old I was when I first joined 1^st KL? I joined when I was in Standard 5. Now that must have been.. I don’t know.. 25 over years now? I remembered the first year I joined, we were called to join in the BB Worldwide Centennial camp. I had some much fun there! Then, we got an invitation to go to another Centennial camp in Penang at the end of the same year. Wow… of course I wanted to go! But… I was slotted for a family overseas trip during the same time, but I was so raring to go! You know what happened? I had an officer who took up the effort to arrange for the bus to wait and pick me up as soon as I touched down at Subang airport, and together, we went up to Penang for the camp. Of course I enjoyed the camp, I got to see a new place, be with my friends, and it’s all thanks to one officer who took the effort to do this for me.

Sleeping Bag

During my senior year, I forgot to bring my sleeping bag to a camp. Die loh! Last time, we did not have handphones to call home, so I thought I’d have to endure a very cold night at the Youth Centre. But you know what? While struggling to sleep on a very cold floor, one of the senior Boys came to place his blanket over me. That action really warmed my heart. And today, this guy is one my close friend. That’s really called, brotherhood.

Left side

So if that is what’s on the right… what is on the left side of my heart?

It’s the nourishment, the friendship, the teachings of God and the mentors I had from 1^st KL. It is the memories of the officer who helped me get to Penang, the senior who shared his blanket, and so many other people who touched my life. Just as the blood flows from the lungs into the left ventricle to be pumped into the rest of the body, I have a desire to come back to serve, to give back to the rest of you here, what I have received in my own years of coming to 1^st KL.

Future

I am confident that we have a great future ahead, and I am confident that all of you boys and officers over here will give your truly best to serve in whatever you are doing. Be it at drill, band, dancing, cooking competition, awards class, KUL games, even your own personal life, exams, piano or music class – I want to see the best of the 1^st KL spirit in all of you in all areas of your life.

And later, we’re going to have a thanksgiving tea. But what are we giving thanks for? Boys, remember the heart? We have 4 chambers, 2 on the left, 2 on the right. And the wall what holds them together is called the pericardium. Similarly, for my 1^st KL heart, the wall that hold all of this memories and desires together, is God, and God alone. And if I look back 25 years ago, God has already planned all these events for me.

Thanksgiving

Does anyone want to try to list out what we can give thanks to God for today?  Yes. We want to give thanks to God for all the things He has blessed us with – good health, good weather, safe journey, brothers and sisters at the camp, what else… the officers who worked in front and behind the scenes, the non-stop supply of water and snacks for each practice, for the band instructor, for the dancing and singing instructors, for the people who prayed for each and everyone of you, for the parents who drove you to and fro every week, for the parents who worked to prepare the food at the camp – all of this does not come cheap because all of this comes under God’s grace and God did all of this because He loves all of you. Yes, we want to give thanks to a God who hears us and loves us and wants the best for us.

The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

And most importantly, in Philippians 4:6 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Now all your hearts are being nourished – all your 1^st KL memories are being pumped and stored on the right side of your atrium. All the hours you have put in, will definitely not go to waste. And someday, I truly pray, you will come back, and be like me, be like the officers, standing in front of your own boys, and let the left side of your heart bless the lives of the next 1^st KL generation. And remember God’s promise, that when we call, He will always be with us. Let us come and enjoy the PESTA memories.

Hey, here’s a heads-up to the Bible Quiz coming up on 31st July 2010 (postponed from 17 July).. a mere 3 weeks from now. The following teams were registered to participate:

Senior Section (Form 4-6) (New International Version)

• 50 objective, 10 subjective
• Text taken from: Exodus 19:1 – Exodus 40:38

1. Team B1 – Loi Kah Hoe, Loi Kin Hoe, Lee Jia Sheng, Lee Jia Wen
2. Team B2 – Sharan, Jonathan Chooi, Kwonh Tjun Yip, Goh Yu Shaun, Andy Yem

Senior Section (Form 1-3) (New International Version)

• 40 objective, 5 subjective
• Text taken from: Exodus 12:31 – Exodus 18:27

1. Team C1 - Leong Rong Fei, Au Kar Fei, Liew Zhen Yuan, Daniel Ooi
2. Team C2 – Alvin Ho, Lu Yi Wen, Justin Choo, Eric Arvyndra

Junior Section (Std 3-6) (Good News Version)

• 40 objective
• Text taken from: Exodus 1:1 – Exodus 12:30

1. Team D1 – Loi Kit Hoe, Pang Ding Kang, Lu Hwang, Adam Chew, Jord Cheah
2. Team D2 – Victor Devadason, Dominic Seow, Adrian Poh, Sean Ho, Isaac Chow
3. Team D3 – Loi Teng Yue, Jaron Tan, Sean Ooi,Calwyn Chin, Steven Wong

Here’s wishing all the best to all of you boys! And always remember, that we serve a God who never fails!

Boyhood bonds formed during days with the Boys’ Brigade transcend time. Wong Giok Leigh of the 1st KL Boys’ Brigade tells INTAN MAIZURA AHMAD KAMAL more

I’D always wanted to be part of a uniform association when I was young. I had good friends who were in the Brownies and prospective boyfriends in the Boy Scouts. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to be in either.

I used to listen wide eyed as they regaled me with tales of camping exploits, of knots they learnt to tie and the fun they hadwhile I was stuck at home, my violin propped under my chin and pretending to be virtuoso violinist Vivaldi.

So when Lt Wong Giok Leigh of the 1st KL Boys’ Brigade (founded in 1954) began to wax lyrical about life in the Brigade, I knew exactly where he was coming from.

Who needs video games when you can be out there bonding with fellow brothers and doing your bit for the community?

Take the Brigade’s involvement with the Dutch Lady Malaysia’s Largest Milk Drinking Event, organised in celebration of World Milk Day 2010 for example.

Together with nutrition advocates Persatuan Pengakap Malaysia, Persatuan Pandu Puteri Malaysia, Malaysian Red Crescent Society as well as various car clubs and cyclist groups and AMP radio stations and their cruisers, Wong and his “boys” will be on hand to aid Dutch Lady Malaysia in this United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation initiative to give away 250,000 limited edition milk packs to celebrate the global importance of milk.

“They’re thrilled to be a part of something so big,” says KL-born Wong, a communications personnel with a bank. “It’s the world’s largest milk drinking event so they’ll have a part in the Malaysian Book of Records. They won’t forget this in a long time.”

Memories formed with the Boys Brigade, which has 9,000 or more members nationwide, never leave you, says Wong, who joined when he was 12 at the encouragement of his friends.

At 31, this former KL Methodist Boys’ School pupil continues to be a part of the organisation, helping to nurture young boys towards adulthood.

Are uniform associations still relevant these days, I ask, referring to the younger generation’s penchant for hanging out at mamak stalls or the malls for bonding sessions?

“Definitely,” nods the father of two boys.

“An interesting point was brought up by a presenter during a market research study talk on social media that I attended recently. He pointed out that technology may change but people generally remain the same.

“In their teens, our boys are looking for identity. How they look for it depends on the time they’re living in. Maybe they use Facebook, but at the heart of it, they’re still trying to discover themselves.”

The set-up at the Boys’ Brigade, with their character-building activities and strong support network, are conducive to helping the youngsters discover themselves.

“My colleagues and I volunteer a lot of our time here, and we find that the kids end up confiding in us. They know we’re here for them.”

That aside, Wong acknowledges that more can be done for the organisation to remain relevant.

One such endeavour can be seen with the Boys’ Brigade in the UK which launched the Video Games award. The KL counterpart, meanwhile, recently came up with LAN (Local Area Network) parties.

“We brought some computers, hooked them up and let the boys play. It’s definitely a step up from the hide-and-seek in the dark!”

He is not against traditional games.

“Urban kids, despite toys and malls, actually find our activities exciting because they’re new to them. You don’t get the same kind of thrills from video games.”

Parents should let their kids have some adventure, he suggests.

“Don’t fret too much about them wilting under the sun or getting dirty! Their life shouldn’t just be about piano lessons or tuition. There are jungles and beaches to discover, trumpets to play and friends to knock about! I think these are the things that parents forget as they become more urbanised and ‘sanitised’.”

Being a part of uniform organisations such as the Boys’ Brigade allows the young to revel in adventure and instils in them timeless values. For Wong, he learnt leadership skills here.

“The system provides ample leadership opportunities. When you come in at 13, you spend a year learning the environment. At 14, you’re tasked with organising a camp. By 15, you start taking care of your squad members. It grows from there. I learnt how to deal with people and make decisions.”

You also build character.

“Social activities that are fun but they don’t actually make you a better person,” says Wong. “Here, we talk about values and respecting parents. Youngsters are guided.”

The deep sense of brotherhood is something Wong holds dearest.

“Our school days may be over but we remain great friends. This is the place where genuine friendships are formed. There’s no hierarchy. We take care of each other.”

NB: World Milk Day 2010 will be launched at Pavilion KL today, with celebrations from 10am to 10pm. There’ll be celebrity appearances and performances, distribution of free milk packs and a charity sale, with all proceeds going to Yayasan Nur Salam.

Read more: Family: Band of brothers