Red Crescent Society goes green

WAQIUDDIN RAJAK

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Monday, May 19, 2014

THE Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) yesterday launched their Green Initiatives Project 2014 at the Taman Jubli Perak in commemorating its 66th anniversary this year.

The president of BDRCS, Hj Julaini Hj Latif (L) and the chairman of the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board, Pengiran Dato Paduka Hj Abd Rahman Pengiran Seri Indera Pengiran Hj Ismail planting a tree together in commemorating the occasion. BT/Waqiuddin Rajak

Members of the Red Crescent Society throwing empty plastic bottles in the categorised bins that will help with the recycling process. BT/Waqiuddin Rajak

Members of the Independent Motorcycle club planting a tree together. BT/Waqiuddin Rajak

The launching of the project also marks the 150 years of humanitarian works by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

The Green Initiatives Project, the first of its kind for BDRCS, is one of the basic programmes for the Red Crescent youth movement and co-organised with the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board.

Among initiatives that were carried out was the planting of trees at the allocated slots in the Taman Jubli Perak as well as the provision of recycle bins to promote organised waste disposal behaviour.

In a statement, BDRCS said that the main objective was to involve youths and volunteers to achieve the country’s aspiration for turning the capital into a “City in the Garden” come 2035, a campaign started by the Bandar Seri Begawan Municipal Board back in 2008.

The project hopes to instill awareness among youths to be cautious of the implications of climate change while carrying out intervention works and planning long term conservation programmes to increase the earth’s longevity and a green environment.

BDRCS Public Relations Officer, Ya-Aneta Hj Mohd Yusuf told The Brunei Times that aside from encouraging youths, the project was also held to make an example to other associations and clubs existing in this country.

She said that the BDRCS will, from time to time, ensure that the landscaping in their project would be nurtured and preserved.

The ceremony started with the official launch by the chairman of the BSB Municipal Board, Pg Dato Paduka Hj Abd Rahman Pg Seri Indera Pg Hj Ismail followed by the tree plantings at designated spots.

In addition, activity also saw participation from Brunei’s Bikers Associations including the Independent Motorcycle Club and Kekal Motorcycle Association, in support of the Green Initiatives Project.

The Brunei Times

IGS RED CRESCENT YOUTH CADET PLATOON INAUGURATION MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY

Rafidah Hamit

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN

Thursday, August 28, 2014

THE First International Graduate Studies (IGS) college Red Crescent Youth Cadet platoon was inaugurated yesterday at the opening ceremony of the 10th IGS Anniversary celebration.

First formed on March 1, the platoon, already with more than 20 members, consists of a Special Squad called HADRT (Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief Team) and first aiders.

Chairman of IGS’s BDRCS Youth Platoon, Siti Nasyroh Mat Nayan expressed that she feels honoured to be the mandated as the chairman of the first Red Crescent platoon from a private education institute.

“I am happy and proud to be leading and encouraging the students’ to take part in volunteering as well as expose them to knowledge about first aid.”

“Upon joining the platoon, the members had limited knowledge but were very keen to learn and improved a lot after being exposed to hands on experience and training.”

“We have a strong and committed group,” she told The Brunei Times. “I hope more youths will join. We want more youths to join because they will be exposed to useful skills.”

Meanwhile Asma Ahmad Hamizan Amin Hj Mohamad Sultan who was one of the few chosen to be in the HADRT team, said he joined the platoon because he wanted to gain first aid skills.

Sharing his experiences, he said that being a part of the society made him more confident to face emergency situations.

“It’s not just about putting on a uniform, it’s more than that. It feels really good to be able to help and save someone’s life.”

He added that he did not expect to be part of HADRT but was grateful that he was given the opportunity. “InsyaAllah, I will do my best to serve the country.”

Communication Director of the Brunei Darussalam Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), Ya-Aneta Wati Hj Mohammad Yusuf said that it is a great pleasure for them that the college approached BDRCS about forming a platoon and hopes that more schools will do the same.

“We are not just hoping schools will join but organisations as well because we need more volunteers.”

Seven members from HADRT and three members from the first aiders of the IGS College Red Crescent Youth Cadet platoon were also conferred with ranks yesterday.

The Brunei Times