Annual General Meeting

The AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia Annual General Meeting was recently held at the Mandarin Court Hotel Kuala Lumpur on the 2nd October, 2010. The fruitful meeting saw the coming together of volunteers, returnees and staff of various ages, racial, ethnic and even religious background in the united vision of voting for the future of AFS Malaysia. As such, AFS Malaysia Alumni would like to congratulate the four dedicated and visionary volunteers re-elected to serve for the next two terms as AFS board member:

Dr. Yahya Mat Hassan

Mrs. Khalilah 'Kelly' Dato Mohd Talha

Mr. Bernard Poobalan

Mr. Thiruchelvam

We would like to thank all who took the time and effort to exercise participate in this year's AGM and have exercised your right to vote as an AFS member. For *those who were unable to make it this time around, there is always next year so make sure you come!

On another joyous note, 2010's AGM is particularly memorable and significant for us here in the AFS Malaysia Alumni because, for the first time ever, the AFS Malaysia Alumni was invited to take part and participate in the Chapters Presidents’ meetings held alongside the AGM. The leaders of our Alumni were given the privileged platform to address, understand, and help give solutions to current and potential problems arising in all AFS related programs.

The AFS Alumni President Chong Cheng Yee and Vice-President Suraya Zainuddin both expressed their heartfelt appreciations to the National Office for including the Alumni within their ranks of discussions. The AFS Alumni is looking forward to continuing our strive in doing our very best in helping to anticipate the needs of AFS Chapters as well as provide help in volunteer support as needed. We hope to serve well in our goal to develop a reserve of well-informed, all rounded volunteers in the future.

Till then,

We'll see you again next year at the 2011 AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia Annual General Meeting!


* voting privileges only comes with the official AFS membership (RM20 for 2 years or RM300 for lifetime). Please call the national office @ 03 77224866 / 77254966 for more details.

5th National Volunteer Conference CHINA

AFS Malaysia Alumni would like to congratulate our President Ms. Chong Cheng Yee, for attending the 5th National Volunteer Conference in Beijing, China from the 16 to 19 July 2010. Representing AFS Malaysia, Cheng Yee brought with her the experience of her volunteering days to the conference, meeting with key AFS colleagues, volunteers and representatives from the local chapters of China.

We are sure that her memorable trip has added unto her vast experience in leadership and faithful volunteering with AFS, especially as the helm of our AFS Malaysia Alumni ship, yet again.

Mission Zoopossible: Accomplished!

On 8th August, the mighty cleaning warriors from AFS Malaysia Alumni from all parts of Malaysia united and embarked on a brave journey to the Zoo Negara to fight of the evils that is giant poopies and dirty cages that plagued the animals living there.

At approximately 0830, the 46 Alumni warriors, armed with nothing but a bright orange volunteer sticker on their chests, puppy eyes, shovels, brushes and brooms spread out in groups of 5 to various stations to begin battle. Fighting the bleeding smell, the dust and dirt, sweat, sore body parts, pesky flies and raw fishes, the warriors cleaned away in the background whilst the wild animals entertained the paying crowd in the foreground to prevent suspicion of the grueling fight behind in the cages.

Some had to pick up poop and sweep the floor the whole day. Some hacked and chainsawed away in the kitchen to prepare basketful of food for the hungry animals. Some walked around and pretended to be busy Some had the privilege to work in extremely close proximity with the animals such as the stripy zebras, big-mouth hippopotamus, dancing deers, roaring bears, lazy camels, playful primates, various birds of flights and even with slithery pythons. They ventured into areas usually prohibited to the masses, and learned the ways of the zoo keepers.

Leading the warrior army at the front of the battlefield was Iron Lady Yelena Ramli, followed by Iron Lady Suraya and Iron Lady Cheng Yee, who united the warriors and made them work enthusiastically by providing direction and a scrumptious variety of food while lavishing each one with heaps of praises for jobs well done. They even broadcasted the backbreaking efforts of the Alumni warriors to the Malaysian world through THE STAR and NST (click on it!)

At exactly 1600 the Alumni warriors regrouped and declared victory over the Zoo Negara with zero casualties to both human and animals alike. There was a huge celebration of food eating and many a random photo-taking sessions followed by the Alumni Warriors being duly rewarded for their efforts with the presentation of certificates. Thus the fight had ended, the battle was won. Mission Zoopossible: Accomplished!

p/s more pictures coming your way really soon. Keep your tabs on this blog, people!

JENESYS Selection Camp

On 31st July, AFS Antarabudaya Malaysia held its first ever JENESYS Selection Camp in Hotel Maluri, Kuala Lumpur. The overnight camp, consisting of some 100 nervously excited student candidates was run by a dedicated team of 8 alumni members.

The alumni members did the camp module with the participants with activities such as Talent Time and Malaysia Through My Eyes presentations, fun energizer games like Untangle Me, My Bonnie, Big Fat Pony and Daruma-san ga Koronda. The campers also enjoyed the Commercial performances put up by the very creative bunch of students who displayed a multitude of talents and laughter inducing abilities. Everyone present had laughed so hard so much in this camp we had to wipe away tears.


However throughout the entire sessions on the other side of the fun door, was the solemn interviewers' room. One by one the candidates were pulled out of the fun door and waited patiently for their turn to enter the interviewer's room to be interrogated of their abilities, confidence, personality and credibility. Many of the student candidates displayed admirable graciousness as they wished each other good luck for the interview through hugs and handshakes.

This selection camp was also geared to be an avenue for the AFS Malaysia Alumni to help train up the younger volunteers in the ins and outs of running AFS camps. Young volunteers Marina Abdullah, Nina, Amanda and Haiqal were given responsibilities and full guidance under the watchful eyes of the older ones Suraya Zainuddin, Chia Suyin, Khoo Hsien Yew, Syant Alias and Eric Yoh. They proved to be able to stand their own ground (much to our joy!) and the Alumni would be looking forward to putting them to work more often! :D


At the end of the two days, camp commandant Suraya could not help but laud heaps of praises for the student candidates, saying, "Considering this is the first ever JENESYS Selection Camp, things counldn't have run more smoothly. The Form 3 and Form 4 kids were generally well-behaved and polite, and their excitement is obvious, its infections to all of us old timers. I was most surprised by the puntuality of it all. Despite the early hours, the hotel's infamous hard to find location, the number of students AND parents, no one was late for registration and sessions! It must be a first!"

Well done everybody! To the JENESYS Selection camp kids, we give you the best of lucks and are looking forward to seeing you at the pre-departure orientation in December. Till then, study hard and stop Facebooking so much =)

p/s. pictures will be up on the blog shortly. Keep tuning in!

Zoo Negara Volunteer Programme

Hey Guys!

Did you know that the Zoo Negara Malaysia is actually managed by the Malaysian Zoological Society, a non-governmental organization? Did you also know that Zoo Negara is the first zoo in Malaysia ever? Or the fact that today, it is home to over 5137 animals from 459 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

Most importantly, did you know that AFS MAS Alumni is having a volunteer trip to the zoo very very soon and that you are also invited, no not that, more than happily welcomed, to join? Below are the details so check it out and give us a beep to let us know your attendance (:

For the love of animals!

Date:

8 August 2010, Sunday (Mark your calendar!)

Time:

8a.m-4p.m (Gather at LRT Wangsa Maju at 7.15a.m)

Venue:

Zoo Negara, Jalan Ulu Kelang 68000 Ampang Selangor Darul Ehsan http://www.zoonegara.org.my/

What:

One day volunteering at the zoo

Who:

AFS Alumni (yes, you!)

Why:

1. Get together

2. To uphold the spirit of community service

3. To create awareness to wildlife conservation

4. To explore behind the scenes of zookeeping's daily routines

How:

Those interested, kindly leave your full name, identity card no., hand

phone no to suyin.chia@volunteer.afs.org.my

Attire:

No fur (of course)

No shorts

AFS Shirt

Sports Attire

NO flip flops

Extra:

Hats, sun cream, mosquito repellent, water and camera (so that you’ll have proof when you tell your grandkids about this!)

Food:

Lunch will be potluck style (Kindly list down what you’re bringing to avoid duplications)

Remember:

Zoo Negara will not tolerate impunctuality. Thus, we’re expected to be there at 8a.m sharp for a briefing.

Spread this good news around. The more, the merrier because that’s how we roll! Let’s not miss out on this opportunity! I’m sure those orang-utans, rhinos, elephants, camels, giraffes, monkeys, tigers, reptiles and sun bears can’t wait to see you!

For more information, click HERE!