Terraces of Youth

OCTAVA CHORAL SOCIETY VISIT To BAHA’I CENTRE

After our study of the “Transition to Agriculture”, the Baha’i youth of Kota Kinabalu and Penampang cluster opened the Baha’i Centre to the Octava Choral Society and a few Kota Kinabalu Junior Chamber (JCI) members. The Octava Choral Singers is a group who could sing folk, Filipino ballads, classical, ethnic as well as contemporary music. Not only that they could sing they could also act dance and move but still maintain a good singing quality. They are the most versatile choral group in Southern Philippines. Two of the Octava Choral Society members are Baha’is, they are Edwin Edpalina (Asst. Director) and Lua Burias.

After introducing ourselves, the youth presented “Step Dance” to welcome the Octava Choral Society. In return, 18 of the Octava singers presented 4 beautiful songs lead by Prof. Frank Englis (Director). They even sang a Malaysian song which they had just learnt, called “Rasa Sayang”. The Baha’i youths were amazed with their performances. And all the youth were invited to watch their concert on the next day which was on 22nd July 2006 at Yayasan Sabah.

On the day of the concert “The Ocean Temperament”, about 25 Baha’is and junior youth group members were present to support the choir group from Philippines. Thanks to Mr. Chin Kah Thing for initiating the choir group to the Baha’i Centre and giving us such a wonderful experience! Thanks to the Octava Choral Society for spending their precious time with the Baha’i youth on Friday night. It was a night to remember.
To know more about the Octava Choral Society, you are free to visit their website at http://www.msuiit.edu.ph/artscul/octava/index.htm

JUNIOR YOUTH ANIMATOR TRAINING

A Junior Youth Animator Training was held during the recent school holidays, from 1^st to 7^th June 2006 at Kota Marudu Learning Centre (KMLC). There were 27 youth and adults trained to be animators to junior youth groups. They were from Kota Marudu, Pitas, Kota Kinabalu, Penampang and
Labuan.

The materials used to train these animators are “Animators of Junior Youth Group (Ruhi Book 5)” and “Glimmerings of Hope”. The five days training of animators has built in them the understanding of the characteristics of junior youth and the importance of serving to develop our precious junior youth of special needs. Out of the week’s training, 2 days were specially dedicated to organise a junior youth camp for junior youth from Pitas and Kota Marudu. This Camp will serve as a practical training for the animators. At this moment, seven Bahá’ís from
Sandakan and Lahad Datu are also going through Animator Training with the assistance of ABM Kang Eng Soo (tutor). I hope that more communities will be opened to this new and yet essential 4^th core activity, the Junior Youth Empowerment Program.

RIDVAN CELEBRATION

On the eve of 23^rd April, the Bahá’í Community of Kota Kinabalu celebrated Ridvan festival- “The King of Festivals” grandly in Kota Kinabalu Bahá’í Centre. There were around 80 guests present on that day. The Bahá’í Centre was beautifully decorated with roses and flowers of all kind, making it seems like a beautiful garden. All the decorations were coordinated by Mdm. Felicia with the help of the youths. As for the food, the masterminds behind were Mdm. Teh Ah Nan and Mdm. Lee Ah Lian. The celebration started at 7.30p.m sharp, with a short devotional as the first programme of that night. After the devotional, guests were invited to enjoy the dinner provided. Mr. Kang Eng Soo gave a short talk on the significance of Ridvan festival after the dinner, mentioning the proclamation by Bahá’u'lláh announcing that ‘He is the manifestation of God for this age’. Next, the Terraces of Youth performed a dance-drama entitled “Recipe for a New World Order”. The youth’s creativity really brought in lots of joy and laughter to the crowds! The last programme was a song also performed by 5 youth called “I have a dream”, a song that holds the vision of the Bahá’ís trying their best to achieve peace on earth. Judging from the response from the audiences, the Ridvan celebration this year was a success.

NAW RUZ CELEBRATION IN KOTA KINABALU

Naw-Ruz BE 163 in Kota Kinabalu was celebrated at the Sabah Bahá’í Centre on the evening of 20^th March 2006. The highlight of the dinner celebrations was a drama cum comedy by the Terraces of Youth performed against a colourful backdrop of beautiful handmade banner. The native Bahá’í dance and songs by the youth as usual were at hand to wrap up a very joyous and memorable evening. The theme of each their performances was about appreciation to parents and how unity can be achieved – “So powerful is the light of unity that it can illuminate the whole earth”. 80 over people were present of which more than one third were friends of Bahá’ís. Auxiliary Board Member Mr. Khor Yip Mau spoke eloquently on the significance of the New Day, Naw-Ruz. Lastly, the friends enjoyed the ‘finger licking good’ dinner!

AYYAM-I-HA CHILDREN’S PARTY 2006

On the eve of Ayyam-i-Ha or Intercalary Day, 25/2/2006, the Children Class Committee had organized an Ayyam-i-Ha Children Class Party for the children classes of Kota Kinabalu and Penampang communities, which was held in the Baha’I Centre. Some 30 children came along with their gifts, together with 6 adults, 3 junior youths and all the children class teachers. The Writings on the Intercalary Days said it is specially set aside for feasting, rejoicing and charity, and also the sharing of gifts.

Programs were specially prepared for the children; devotionals, games, a short drama on “Kiki & The Wolf” (performed by the youth) , and followed by exchange of gifts. Songs were also sung during the party, such as Sea Song, Truthfulness (based on the drama) and the Ayyam-i-Ha Song. During the whole afternoon, the children enjoyed themselves, especially the games and gift exchange sessions, they enjoyed so much that they still wanted to go on. While the youth themselves also put up a good show for the children. It was wonderful to see everybody, especially the children, having so much fun that afternoon.

The party ended in the evening with a sumptuous refreshment prepared for them, where the children also enjoyed helping themselves as much as possible. We would like to thank all the youths, junior youths and Aunty Swee Yung for making this year’s Ayyam-i-Ha party a fun and successful event. Hopefully next year we will make a better Ayyam-i-Ha party for more children to participate.

Chinese New Year: Steps to a Prosperous Year

To introduce the Terraces of Youth to the public was one of the objectives that the youths had in mind for the year 2006, and to this we decided to do a performance for this year’s Chinese New Year festival. So Uncle Yon Yun Thong arranged for us to perform at the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) open house at the school Hall of Kota Kinabalu High School.

After much discussion, we decided to perform “Step Dance” which all of us were quite familiar with. Chew Fei Sean dedicatedly coordinated the whole dance, having us rushing on it as we gotta perform it in 1 week’s time! Therefore, the 12 dancers including one junior youth-Yon Xin Yue, and one youth from Melaka-Tan Su Ching were actually considered… not bad!!

On the 30 January 2006, the day we performed, the hall was filled with people. Chief Minister of Sabah Dato’ Seri Musa Aman, MCA President Dato’ Seri Ong Ka Ting, and other VIPs’ were there to officiate the celebration. Many performances were presented including lion dance, fan dance, singing and dancing, all from different schools and societies. All too soon, it was our turn to perform. We chanted a prayer before we performed. The MC gave a short intro about the T.O.Y and the dance we were about to perform. Then, we danced. Thankfully everything went smoothly although there were a few minor mistakes made. But what is important is—We Did Our Best!