Saturday, October 31, 2009

Anticipating September and Exciting October

Upon reflection, September was a relative quiet month, with the exception of telemarking for the Fringe activity for the Singapore Archifest 2009 to take place from 9-13 October at the National Library at Victoria Street. Though I did not manage to garner companies to participate in the career fare, did manage to clinch one sponsorship for the goody bag.

Besides, I was researching online for materials to put together 6 articles for the company's newsletter which goes out online fortnightly.

On 28 September, a litter of 6 pups made their arrival. Although only 3 managed to survive, they are growing steadily. Within a few days, we will realise they have grown, or their eyes had opened, and now, they are teething and seeking attention.

As I mentioned in my last blog that Glen called and told me I had been accepted by Ngee Ann Poly. Hence, without delay, the 15-day intensive training begun on 5 October. Though it was tiring, we are glad 14 of us have passed the exams and are now working as guides at Dialogue in the Dark (Singapore) located at blk 5 of Ngee Ann Polytechnic. According to the founder from Germany, Dr Andreas Heinecke, persons with disabilities have been marginalised and discriminated against. Hence, Dialogue in the Dark (a social enterprise) attempts to bridge this gap. He founded this concept in 1988 and subsequently, "Dialogue in Silence".

Ms Daniela Dimitrova, Ms Claudia Bade and Mr Pepe were 3 excellent trainers from Bulgaria, Germany and Mexico respectively. They would stretch our potential and maximise our ability to manage situation.

They told us that Singapore is kinda of unique for this the first Dialogue in the Dark project to be set up in an educational institution. They also applauded the directors of Ngee Ann Polytechnic that the whole works were set up in about a year's timeframe, in comparison to other which a longer time had to be taken for this project to materialise.

I'll encourage you to call Ngee Ann Poly at 6460 6222 to book the tours for you never know what you will take away from this unique exhibition.

As guides, my colleagues and myself are working happily, knowing we are helping others to discover their other senses that have taken a back seat with the advantage of sight.

So far, the feedback from visitors have been very positive and we hope it will generate public interest after its official launch, some time in the first quarter of 2010.