30 August 2008 - National Day Band Parade

On the 30th August 2008, the 2nd Sandakan Boys' Brigade Company Brass Band was invited by the Sandakan Municipal Council to take part in the National Day Parade held in the Sandakan Town Hall. Cpl Kwan Lik Jing was the band major for this marching parade. At 6.00 am, the boys gathered at the parade meeting ground to collect their respective instruments and walked down to the starting point near Gentingmas Mall.

At 8.30 am, all the contingents started marching to the Town Hall. The boys started strong and remained strong all the way into the Hall. With fine drum solos and sweet melody, the band managed to impress the community. Marching past the stage was the climax, when the band major had a perfect macework throwing the major mace up into the sky and had an awesome catch!

Finally, the parade ended at 10.00 am. Everybody went back to Wisma Basel, and had a little reflection session. The band members recounted what they have done wrong and what they can do in order to improve the band to a higher level. Then, they went back home.

The band quality once dropped, but it seems that has improved. The senior NCO's are encouraged to help out in the band and drill so that the company will grow faster and stronger.

Charity Project

Originated from Singapore BB, the 2nd Sandakan Boys’ Brigade Company will be the first company in Malaysia doing such a project. This charity project is to help the targeted group of children have their dream come true by giving them small Christmas presents.

Currently, we have been targeting the Agape Centre kids. They are mostly mentally disabled and the Agape Centre is where they learn their basic everyday life skills in order to survive in the society. The NCO’s in charge will be those of the rank Lance Corporal and Corporal only.

A rough schedule has been made and it goes like this:

The project will start in the 2nd week of November, where the company will be looking for sponsor in order to ensure this project a successful one. At the same time, another group of boys will be decorating a Christmas trees with dangling envelops, which enables the children to write their Christmas wishes. In early December, the boys will go back and collect the envelops, leaving the Christmas trees there. Then, the Boys will try their best to fulfill the children's wishes. Sources of funds are the Church members, the Boys' parents, and sponsors from different corporations. By the 3rd week of December, the presents should all be prepared and the Boys will once again go back to the centre and place the presents underneath the Christmas tree. At 25th December, the boys will return to the centre and celebrate Christmas with the boys.

This project is going to be a very meaningful one. Though the less-gifted Agape are mentally disabled, they still deserve a chance to lead a healthy and happy life. However, resources, including man-power and financial are limited. The 2nd Sandakan Boy's Brigade company sincerely needs support from people of all walks of life to contribute in this project.

If you are interested in giving a contribution in this project, please contact
1) Cpl Siah Boon Kiat -- boonkiat92@hotmail.com
2) Cpl Kwan Lok Man -- kez_man07@hotmail.com
3) Cpl Sweeney Ku -- HTF2438@hotmail.com

Remember, even a buck or a cent helps!