New lease: Pang sharing his life-changing journey during the appreciation dinner.
BEING in good company can turn a life around, as Adam Pang experienced firsthand.
During his early teenage years, Pang picked up bad habits, becoming what society refers to as “Ah Beng”. But he turned over a new leaf after joining the Boys’ Brigade.
Offering his testimony during the youth organisation’s appreciation dinner held in Melaka recently, he said feeling the care of the officers – adult volunteers who run the Boys’ Brigade programme – and his peers changed his perspective on life and eventually his character, leading him to become a self-motivated lad.
Having been promoted to a non-commissioned officer (NCO), the 18-year-old, who has earned the rank of sergeant, has gone on to lead and help others like him, a press release read.
Like Pang, Matthias Boh has also benefited as a member of the organisation.Expressing his hope of becoming an NCO in the future, the 12-year-old said he finds joy in learning musical instruments, joining expeditions and marching drills, and doing activities with his Boys’ Brigade peers.
The appreciation dinner, held on April 29 in conjunction with the celebration of the Melaka State Boys’ Brigade’s 61st anniversary, saw the presentation of the two highest accolades in the organisation to four outstanding young individuals.
Sergeant Tang Mei En, sergeant Isabel Tan Yan and corporal Loong Qian Xing – all of whom from Selangor – received the President’s Award, while staff sergeant Lim Chuan Zhe from Penang picked up the Founder’s Award.
Every year, only up to 20 members are awarded the President’s Award and 10 members the Founder’s Award.
At the event, some 17 officers were also feted. They received the 10-year service award to commemorate their commitment to training and developing young members.
Earlier in the day, the Boys’ Brigade in Malaysia, with a membership of over 10,000, held its 59th Brigade Council meeting, which saw the participation of over 200 volunteer officers and members from all across the country.
Brigade president Nicholas Yeap, in sharing the organisation’s “Boys’ Brigade in Every School” vision, said it aims to set up 1,000 Boys’ Brigade companies in Malaysian schools.
He encouraged the officers to partner with more schools to develop young people to become strong pillars of society and the country.
Currently, the organisation partners with over 200 schools and has over 130 companies in various states, with members ranging in age from seven to 19.
