On 13th December 2009, JB Laughers were invited to have a Laughter Booth at the Celebrate Togetherness Christmas Lunch Party for the less privileged and the sick. We had a good 20 minutes of Laughter Yoga exercises and our booth was popular with enquiries and for information.... Below is the 16th December news article (New Straits Times) by reporter Chuah Bee Kim, showing the participants having a jolly, happy, good time... Hohohahahaha.....
In the Mood to Dance and Make Merry
The season’s cheer and goodwill was amply evident in a Christmas party for the less privileged and the sick. CHUAH BEE KIM brings the glad tidings
| Norhidayah Abdullah, unhindered by her wheelchair, dances with Chong Chee Yong (right) and a clown. |
| Norhidayah Abdullah (second from right) and the other guests in full party mode. |
| It is a merry Christmas indeed during the ‘laughter exercise’ session. — Pictures by Hairul Anuar Ab Rahim |
| Santa Claus flies into town just for the special guests of the Christmas party. |
WHEN the music started, nothing, could stop Norhidayah Abdullah from getting up to dance. Not paraplegia and certainly not her wheelchair. The 28-year-old lifted the two front wheels of her wheelchair and danced with a clown from Befrienders, fellow home resident Chong Chee Yong, and the other students of Spastic Children's Association of Johor.
Jessica Ong, a Workshop Supervisor at the Spastic Children's Association, said Chong loved to dance.
He started attending the Association's workshops a year ago, and was a slow learner who spoke only the Hakka dialect.
Jessica Ong, a Workshop Supervisor at the Spastic Children's Association, said Chong loved to dance.
He started attending the Association's workshops a year ago, and was a slow learner who spoke only the Hakka dialect.
"Norhidayah also came to the workshop only a year ago. She loves to dance with her wheelchair," Ong said.
Norhidayah and Chong were among the 200 guests of a Christmas party, organised by the Lions Club of Johor Baru Metro and Lions Club JB Mandarin, and sponsored by Parkway Health and Malaysian Assurance Alliance (MAA) Bhd. It was held at the MAA building.
The guests were from Johor Cheshire Home, Taman Sinar Harapan, Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal and Berkat Childrens' Home.
Thirty young cancer victims were also present.
"Children fighting cancer need a lot of laughter and joy to forget their pain and build strength and hope," said event organising chairman Ong Mui Keow.
"Santa Claus and the clowns will help to bring some cheer."
They clearly did. The crowd was clapping along to to Christmas carols and beaming as they watched performances by professional dancers as well as by the various homes' residents.
They were then given a dose of the best medicine in a laughter exercise led by Fung Lee Jean.
Games of musical chair, and stepping on balloons were played next.
Zaharmi Mat Lela, Johor Cheshire Home resident, moved the audience with a soulful rendition of a popular Awie number.
Stulang Assemblyman and guest of honour, Mok Chek Hou, praised the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations for supporting the Government's aim to strengthen and widen the social safety net for the underprivileged.
He said everyone had a role to play towards the building of a caring society.
Mok said there was a need to focus equally on humanitarian issues to achieve a balanced and cohesive society.
"There is a need to revive the spirit of caring and sharing," he said.
Mok said it was heartening to see people generously giving even in times of economic slowdown.
He noted that NGOs have become specialised, with the Kiwanis focusing on the care of Down's Syndrome patients, Malaysian Red Crescent on blood and organ donations, and Lions Clubs on haemodialysis.
The event ended after lunch.
Norhidayah and Chong were among the 200 guests of a Christmas party, organised by the Lions Club of Johor Baru Metro and Lions Club JB Mandarin, and sponsored by Parkway Health and Malaysian Assurance Alliance (MAA) Bhd. It was held at the MAA building.
The guests were from Johor Cheshire Home, Taman Sinar Harapan, Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal and Berkat Childrens' Home.
Thirty young cancer victims were also present.
"Children fighting cancer need a lot of laughter and joy to forget their pain and build strength and hope," said event organising chairman Ong Mui Keow.
"Santa Claus and the clowns will help to bring some cheer."
They clearly did. The crowd was clapping along to to Christmas carols and beaming as they watched performances by professional dancers as well as by the various homes' residents.
They were then given a dose of the best medicine in a laughter exercise led by Fung Lee Jean.
Games of musical chair, and stepping on balloons were played next.
Zaharmi Mat Lela, Johor Cheshire Home resident, moved the audience with a soulful rendition of a popular Awie number.
Stulang Assemblyman and guest of honour, Mok Chek Hou, praised the private sector and Non-Governmental Organisations for supporting the Government's aim to strengthen and widen the social safety net for the underprivileged.
He said everyone had a role to play towards the building of a caring society.
Mok said there was a need to focus equally on humanitarian issues to achieve a balanced and cohesive society.
"There is a need to revive the spirit of caring and sharing," he said.
Mok said it was heartening to see people generously giving even in times of economic slowdown.
He noted that NGOs have become specialised, with the Kiwanis focusing on the care of Down's Syndrome patients, Malaysian Red Crescent on blood and organ donations, and Lions Clubs on haemodialysis.
The event ended after lunch.