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Dear Friends,
Youth is the theme for this latest issue of our revamped Special Olympics Asia Pacific (SOAP) newsletter.
The youths that we’ve featured in this issue, athlete George Alponia from Special Olympics Bharat; Aloysia Wisye Bwariat, sister of athlete Anastasia from Special Olympics Indonesia; and Youth Leader Simran Sahni represent the unified generation of today.
They truly walk the talk and I am constantly amazed by their strength and integrity. Their need for authenticity, the simplicity and directness they bring to solving issues efficiently and with it, the heart to serve. They dare to dream, and dare to live those dreams and bring with them a sense of purpose and values that will make them stronger leaders of tomorrow.
Also do keep your eye on the SOAP Youth for Inclusion Summit happening on the 2 – 4 Dec 2019 which aims to drive awareness of common issues concerning youth and Persons with Intellectual Disabilities (PWIDs) – from
Bullying & Isolation,
Increasing post-school opportunities: Employability, to
Strengthening mental health & wellness.
May we continue to change the game, and I hope you enjoy the read.
Dipak Natali
Acting President & Managing Director
Special Olympics Asia Pacific |
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I'M A SURVIVOR
George Alponia is an athlete, a national hero and a survivor. Almost killed by her mother at age four, she survived the attempt and was taken in by an orphanage where she spent years battling issues rising from her abandonment, was filled with rage and rebelled. Her life changed when she met Shilaja Chandran a teacher and Special Olympics volunteer coach at Anugraha Special School, Kerala. She has found peace and is now a Big Sister to the younger residents. |
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MY SISTER, MY BEST FRIEND
How does it feel to grow up with a sister with Down Syndrome? Knowing that she will always get more attention than you, with the constant reminder from your parents that you have a duty to love and care from her. Hear from youth leader Aloysia Wisye Bwariat, sister of Anastasia, a Special Olympics athlete from Indonesia, who now realises how much they have in common — and on how much love Anastasia has to give and the life lessons to impart. |
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NOT JUST BEING INVITED TO THE DANCE,
BUT ORGANIZING THE DANCE
Simran Sahni started volunteering with Special Olympics close to three years ago and has been actively organising numerous orientations and events, like the National Youth Summit and Pratishtha, a community event where thousands of people with and without intellectual disabilities gather to celebrate inclusion. One of her greatest teachers is Shrey Kadian, an athlete with intellectual disabilities who has taught her not just patience and perseverance but also the confidence to step up and speak out about the issues that matter. |
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YOU MATTER!
Mental health issues can happen to anyone, it doesn’t matter who you are.
However, it is extremely common among persons with intellectual disabilities (PWID).
Help us understand your thoughts on Mental Health and Wellness .
TAKE PART HERE
&
VIEW RESULTS HERE
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SOAP gathered a panel of academics to embark on an ambitious research project to surface issues concerning Persons with Intellectual Disabilities in the region. Keep a look out for more updates! |
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We organised a Floorball Train the Trainer Program in August which saw 18 participants from seven Programs attending a 4-day Level 3 course practicum. HEAR FROM Charles Chua, who was part of the workshop. |
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Guam now offers soccer as the newest sport available to its athletes. The current offerings include athletics, swimming, bowling, badminton, and softball. This move was MADE POSSIBLE with the partnership between Guam Football Association and Special Olympics Guam.
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Check out the pics from the inaugural SOAP Unified Badminton Championship press conference held in Thailand HERE.
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LEARN HOW a team of football enthusiasts build friendship, respect and acceptance through a game of unified football at the as part of the Play Inclusive 2019. |
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SPECIAL OLYMPICS YOUNG ATHLETES
It's never too early to start empowering the young so they grow up to be leaders of the future. The Special Olympics Young Athletes program has been impacting young lives like Fahsai who was born with two holes in her heart and has been off her meds since joining us three years ago. If you wish to kickstart Young Athletes in your country, share this impact video to garner more support for this initiative.
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25 OCT - 27 OCT
National Sports Director Seminar, Singapore
8 NOV - 9 NOV
Unified Beach Carnival, Sri Lanka
13 NOV - 16 NOV
SOAP Unified Badminton Championships, Bangkok, Thailand
2 DEC - 4 DEC
Youth For Inclusion 2019: Creating Smart Societies, Singapore
7 DEC - 8 DEC
SEA Unified 5-aside Football Tournament, Singapore |
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