Peer Helpers/Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya revived

Politeknik staff include En. Shamsul of Politeknik Shah Alam (left) and En. Sofian of Politeknik Kuching (2nd right) at the Simposium PRS Politeknik KPT. 11 April 2009.

Fraser's Hill Pine Resort, Pahang.

The officers who revive the PRS program in Ministry of Education. At the PRS Hotline Seminar at Goldcoast Hotel, Klang.

The Politeknik staff who were together in the Simposium Potensi Diri PRS at Pine Resort, Fraser's Hill Pahang.

When my keynote address was over, I felt relieved but still do not have the mood to open my computer, reading emails or writing blogs. Internship supervision is still in my mind. So to all my interns, do not ever think that you are the only ones who are stressed over this internship because I am too. But we will get over it soon.

However, the recent development of the revival of Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya/Siswa (PRS) interest pleased me so much and made me proud and grateful to those who believe in the program and revive it after a long silence. The most disappointing silence was after 1993 when I went for early retirement. The persons I hope to continue promoting it, changed their minds for reasons of their own. One, I suspect, was the PRS program was not a glamorous and an acknowledged program - it was just struggling to be acknowleged. The Drug perevention and career programs are more attractive and well-known. So, PRS program was almost buried alive at that time. Since then I heard isolated pockets of activities carried out by interested counsellors and schools. Higher Education Institutes were silent except some activities from UIA, UTM, Johor and MMU with their ASEAN Peers Convention. I hope Amalia will ignite again the interest in promoting PRS in Unimas when she completes her PhD and introduces new approaches.

At the PRS Hotline Seminar in Klang.

Thank God, there are counsellors and individuals who believe in peer power and the program gained prominence again. The Ministry of Education made a big event at national level in Perhimpunan Pembimbing Rakan Sebaya on 5-8 May 2008, followed later with the introduction PRS Hotline, aimed to reach out those students who are being bullied in schools. Since then I have heard many programs based on the concept of peer helping were introduced. I waited 20 over years for this to happen. Syukur alhamdullillah. As the Founder of Peer Helping Program in Malaysia, I am proud that I have left some mark in counselling field and make peer power recognized in this country.

Peer Hotline Seminar.

Responding to PRS activity questions at Seminar PRS Hotline in Klang.

With some PRS at the PRS Hotline Seminar.

Receiving momentos from En. Kamil at the PRS Hotline Seminar. He is a PRS enthusiast who took extra miles to find me. Thank you En. Kamil for your belief in the program.

Signing autographs for PRS Hotline at the Seminar.

About a month ago, En. Sofian of Politeknik Kuching called me about delivering a keynote address at the Simposium Potensi Diri Pembimbing Rakan Siswas (PRS) Politeknik KPT at Pine Resort, Fraser's Hill, Pahang, on 11 April 2009. Due to some technical misunderstanding, the topic was conveyed to me on 18 March, a day before I left for New Zealand. Returning from NZ, tired and then straight doing internship supervision, made it impossible for me to write a full paper of what I want to say to those PRS. So with the help of some students who taught me how to use the 2007 version of powerpoint, a keynote address in powerpoint was ready for presentation. This is the first time I was not able to write a full paper for keynote address and my apology to Politeknik Malaysia.

On Friday afternoon, 10 April o9, En. Shamsul of Politeknik Shah Alam and his two delightful sons (Hilmi and Hanif) came to pick me up to Fraser's Hill. I stayed a night there but unfortunately there was water supply problem. I wondered how the students made do without water that night after a tedious travel up the winding road.

With Politeknik PRS.

I deleivered my keynote at 8.00 an on 11 April 09 and 2009. I was happy with the presentation and I hope they were able to discuss my points in their workshops immediately after the presentation. Q and A session was slow at first but picked up after the first person spoke. Unfortunately, I was not able to respond to all the questions as time was moving to break time. Even though I told them to come and see me personally after the talk, time did not permit them to do so. From questions asked, I had a feeling that they need more training and exposure on their role as PRS. I hope the counsellors who conduct the training will equipped them with listening and responding skills and that their function is not to solve their friends problems. PRS principle ' Help yourself to help others' be promoted further.

I hope the dream to establish politeknik PRS Association/ Alumini will be a reality soon. It takes one person to engineer it and it will flourish, insyaallah. Good luck!

Workshop after keynote presentation.

Receiving momentoes fron En. Nazri of Politeknik Ipoh.

I left Fraser's Hill Pine Resort escorted by En. Shamsul's sons who drove me safely back to PJ. I left for PD in the evening.

Pic shows En. Shamsul's sons, Hilmi (left) and brother Hanif (right).

Thank you Politeknik, universities concerned and the Ministry of Education for paying attention to the power and influence of young people among their friends.

May God Bless you, PRS Malaysia. Hope you become effective leaders of tomorrows.