Penyinar: BDAC youth division

• Miscellaneous (11)

The Kelab Penyinar is the youth division of Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council. It was set up during the Brunei Darussalam AIDS Council first Annual General Meeting in 2001.

Its objectives are-

• To motivate the youth members & other youth to practice a healthy and positive way of living.
• To reach out to youth as many as possible on HIV/AIDS related matter for HIV & AIDS prevention.
  
• To spread awareness on HIV, AIDS & related issues, especially among youth in Brunei.

Currently, the Kelab Penyinar has more than 50 active members of age ranging from early teens to late 20's.

The members or "Penyinar" as they are affectionately known, meets frequently and manage or organise their own programmes and activities, ranging from a simple outing to national events like TheWorld AIDS Day. They are considered as the backbone of BDAC. They come from various institutions all over thecountry.

Penyinar is taken from the Malay word "sinar" which means to light up, to shine,to glow, to brighten up, to make clear, to shine and glow until it is visible. The threat of HIV/AIDS is often misunderstood . Penyinar is to bring this message and disseminate information as widely and clearly to eliminate stigma & discrimination and to bring hope to those infected and affected by HIV & AIDS. 

Theclub has affiliation and work together with various government, private sectors, non-government organisation  and media locally & regionally.

CommonwealthYouth Ambassadors for Positive Living (a project of Commonwealth YouthProgramme Asia Centre) in Kelab Penyinar is actively involved in HIV& AIDS awareness activities, voluntary work and youth work, locally and regionally.

Some of their known programmes are Life Skills Training (LESTARI), HIV Awareness Programme for Peers & Youth (HAPPY), Time Freeze, Walk For Life, Penyinar Orientation Programme (POP) etc. The Penyinar also equipped to handle leadership & teambuilding games and actively involved in youth activities around Brunei Darussalam.

The Club was awarded with Commonwealth Youth SilverAward 2005/2006 & 2007/2008 for its Kelab Penyinar & HIVAwareness Programme respectively. In 2009, they are also presented with ASEAN Youth Award for their volunteerism spirit.