INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING PROJECTS

Hosting of Youth Exchange Member from Japan

For the first time, Leo Club of Kuala Lumpur Perennial is involved in the District Youth Exchange program. A Youth Exchange member from Japan was hosted by myself, Leo Chong Poh-E and my family in our resident in Taman Bukit Maluri, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur
from the 19th December 2004 until the 9th January 2005.

Yumiko Yamanaka, age 17, from Amagasaki, Hygo, Japan. She came to Malaysia on a full sponsored YE program by Lions Club of Amagasaki Kotonoura, District 333-C. Accompanied by the BOD and members from Leo Club of Kuala Lumpur Perennial, she had a wonderful opportunity in discovering the Malaysia’s culture and visiting all the popular spots in Kuala Lumpur city. Below are some of the major activities carried out :

22/12/2004 – Tour to KLCC Twin tower, Suria KLCC & Sky bridge
This is a large scale tour organized by Youth Exchange committee, also participated by other 59 host families in Malaysia and all the Youth Exchange members.

23/12/2004 – Shopping in One Utama Shopping Complex and Sunway Pyramid
Participated by 5 KL Perennial members, Yumiko Yamanaka visited the 2 most popular shopping complexes in Petaling Jaya.
 

The host, Leo Poh-E (Left) on an outing with YE Yumiko (Right) in Sunway Pyramid.

23/12/2004 – Christmas Party in Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Club
Together with 4 KL Perennial members, Yumiko Yamanaka attended a fund raising Christmas party organized by PJ Singing association in Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Club.

24/12/2004 – Bukit Bintang Christmas Eve Countdown
Yumiko Yamanaka was brought to Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur to join in the public countdown party for Christmas together with the host family.

25/12/2004 – Christmas Party
Christmas party and fellowship in Leo Advisor PCC Lion ST Yeoh’s resident. Also attended by 6 KL Perennial Leo members, KL Vision City Lions, some Cabinet Officers, District Governor, Vice District Governor and Past District Governors.

KL Perennial Leos with Yumiko from Japan during a fellowship gathering.

26/12/04-28/12/04 – Youth Exchange Winter Camp 2004
Participated in the District Youth Exchange Winter Camp 2004 in A Famosa Resort, Ayer Keroh together with the Youth Exchange committee, other Youth Exchange members and hosts, as well as District YE Chairman. Various activities were carried out. To be reported in a separate report.

31/12/04 – New Year Countdown Party
New Year Countdown Party together with 8 KL Perennial members, as well as some other Leo members from Leo Club of KL Central and KL Bukit Kiara

1/1/2005 – Fellowship Outing to Petaling Street / Shopping in Bukit Bintang
Club level New Year Outing to the China Town of Malaysia, Petaling Street as well as a shopping trip to major complexes in Bukit Bintang including Lot 10, Low Yat Plaza, Star Hill, Sungai Wang and BB Plaza.

Random photos with Yumiko Yamanaka during various outings.

2-3/1/2005 – Visiting Sunway University College
Yumiko was following Leo Chong Poh-E (Myself) to attend college in Sunway University College, Petaling Jaya. Leo Lucy Loo also brought her around the campus vicinity and utilized the facilities, as well as to introduce the Malaysia’s Education system to her.

4/1/2005 – Shopping in Mid Valley Megamall
Attended by 3 members from KL Perennial. We went shopping in the Mid Valley Megamall as well as catching a movie together. It was the first time Yumiko watched a Hong Kong movie and she was also very impressed with the quality of Chinese movie production.

6/1/2005 – Visiting National Museum
Had a short trip to the National Museum with 4 KL Perennial members and friends from college. Together with Yumiko, all of us had an eye-opener on the fabulous 40 years history of Malaysia.

7/1/2005 – Visiting Lake Garden / National Monument
An afternoon picnic session at another popular tourist location in Kuala Lumpur, the Lake Garden and National Monument together with 4 KL Perennial members and friends from college. Also dropped by to the National Palace after that but unfortunately it was closed.

8/1/2005 – District Youth Exchange Farewell Party
Participated in the District Youth Exchange Farewell Party in Gold Hill Club Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur together with the Youth Exchange committee, other Youth Exchange members and hosts, as well as District YE Chairman, YE Coordinator and Region 2 Leo Chairman. There were various performances, experience sharing and cultural exchange sessions throughout the night. To be reported in a separate report.

9/1/2005 – Bon Voyage at KL International Airport
Attended by 5 KL Perennial members, we were at the KL International Airport to send Yumiko off back to her home country Japan at a flight of 9.30 pm in the night.
 

Group photo in KL International Airport with the host family before she left.

District 308-B1 Youth Exchange Camp Winter 2004

The Youth Exchange Camp for the Winter 2004 was held at A’ Famosa Resort, Ayer Keroh, Malacca from the 26-28th Dec 2004. This auspicious event was taken part by YE Yumiko Yamanaka, as well as myself (Leo Chong Poh-E) as her host together with all other Youth Exchange members from Japan in this season.

The camp started off with a simple opening ceremony including speeches and national anthem. Then we were divided into groups and were asked to hold discussion to decide on the group’s name, cheer and leader. Then we had our lunch and a cultural exchange program until the evening. There was also a Cultural night after the dinner where all Yes were required to dress in traditional costumes.

From the first day after the cultural night onwards until the end of second day, many activities were held, including indoor games, tele-matches as well as the cultural games. All participants also presented a group performances based on their respective groups. There was also a foot-loose dance session after the performances as the highlight of the night. While the last day was very simple as all participants were transported back to Kuala Lumpur after we woke up in the morning and the camp officially ended with a group photo session and lunch.

Throughout the entire camp, I learnt a lot on the Japanese culture as well as teamwork and communication skills, especially when it comes to being in a team with some Youth Exchange members from Japan who doesn’t even understand our language and culture at all, but we still had to work together hand in hand to get through all the activities. It was truly a wonderful and unique experience compared to any other camps that I had been to.

Group photo from the Winter Youth Exchange Camp in Malacca.

District 308-B1 Youth Exchange Farewell Party

The Youth Exchange Farewell Party for the Winter 2004 was held at Gold Hill Club, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur on the 8th January 2005, which the night before the Youth Exchangees went back to their home country.. This gathering party was attended 4 Leos from Leo Club of KL Perennial together with YE Yumiko Yamanaka.

The dinner started off with some short speeches and introduction of the organizers, followed by addresses from DC for Youth Exchange Lion Miranda Lee as well as the YE Coordinator Lion Dato Robert Lim. The organizers also invited some of the Youth Exchange representatives from different districts, as well as the host families to share their experiences of involving in the District Youth Exchange program.

An 8 courses dinner was served after that. The event went on and reached its climax when cultural fashion show was started. All the female youth exchangees from Japan dressed up in the traditional Malaysian costume and being interview one by one on the stage. Most of them commented that they were really impressed with the Malaysian’s culture throughout their stay here especially the traditional Malay food.

After the cultural fashion show, the male Youth Exchangees took over the night by performing various type of Chinese Kung Fu they learnt in our country. There were also several games, dance, singing and photography session between all the Youth Exchangees and local Leos/Youths after the performances. Everybody had a fabulous time in the party.

This was indeed another great occasion to promote the international understanding and goodwill by having the exchange of culture. The experiences sharing session was not only interesting but it actually planted the interest among the other Leos and youths to get themselves involve in the Youth Exchange program again in the time to come.

Group photos with KL Vision City & New Century KLCC Lions,
accompanied by the Youth Exchangees from Japan.

Group photos of all Youth Exchangees and Lions.