Preparations

Less than a week to go to our Family Day. The organising committee has been meeting every week to make sure all the necessary preparations are running smoothly. Me? Well, since I got a sponsor for breakfast, I've already ordered nasi lemak for 65 pax.

Yes, 65. That's the number of people who gave their confirmation that they'd be joining the Family Day - 15 volunteers and 50 PLHIVs and their families. But based on past years' experiences, there are bound to be last minute pullouts. Frankly, I'd be happy if we can reach 50 on the actual day.

The programme for the day has been drawn out. Caterer for lunch and tea already booked. Balloon man has been informed of the time he's supposed to make an appearance. Prizes and gifts for the children is handled by another volunteer - she had been doing this year in year out, so we're happy to let her handle it. The only thing that has yet to be finalised is the transportation - who'll be fetching who and where.

Logically it would be easier for each buddy to take care of their own clients - but since most of the clients and families attending the event are mine, die lah if I have to fetch all 27 of them! I'd need a coach of keretapi as they definitely won't fit into kereta Pi!

Usually we'd get a few volunteers to wait at the bus station. I'd definitely have to be there to organise who's going into whose car etc.

Other than that, my only other duty for the day is as the photographer. But don't expect to see too many photographs in this blog, you know pretty well I'm not supposed to expose photos of my clients or their family, so all photos will have to go through censorship before they can be certified as suitable for public viewing.

Right now we are also busy preparing for ICAAP (International Congress on Aids in Asia and the Pacific) in Bali, which is coming up in less than 2 weeks time. We managed to get a free exhibition booth at the Asia Pacific Village where we intend to display and distribute our Buddy Bears for HIV children.

So, we'd need to pack loads of 'em bears into our check-in luggage. The bears must wondering where we're taking them...

On my part, I'm also printing out flyers to be distributed during the Congress so that delegates know where to get these bears.

And yes, what about my poster? Well, it's done on my computer, but I'd need to send it for printing as my printer definitely won't be able to print a poster so big. I should be doing it by this week.

What else? Accommodation confirmed, air tickets booked, bus tickets booked (we're taking the direct Ipoh - LCCT bus). I had earlier booked the 11.45 am flight from KL to Bali, but AA decided to bring forward the same flight to 9.25 am, so now we'll have to leave Ipoh much earlier. We're taking the 3 am bus from Ipoh.

What else do I need to prepare?

Oh ya... ongkos nya buk!