By Ashley Sim
KUCHING, Sept 18: More than 200 campers and 70 facilitators took part in the 10th Youth Communication Camp (YCC) organised by Kuching Toastmasters Club (KTMC) to promote public speaking among youth, assist them in developing leadership skills, showcase their talents, and foster teamwork.
In addition to participants from Sarawak and the rest of Malaysia, international participants included individuals from Myanmar, the United States of America, India, Nigeria, Canada, Australia, and Brunei Darussalam at the 10th YCC.
The camp was held at Borneo Happy Farm from Sept 16 to Sept 18, 2022.
YCC has impacted over 1,500 students in the areas of public speaking, leadership development, and showcasing talents since its inception in 2012.
“This is a speaking camp, and public speaking is a life skill that we must grow and develop.
“It is a skill that develops over time in camps like this, and it does not happen overnight.
“This camp is truly representative of Sarawak,” said Sarawak Minister for Youth, Sports, and Entrepreneur Development Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, in his closing speech today at the camp venue.
Meanwhile, YCC organising chairman Sahil Dev stated: “We have watched our campers grow in confidence by learning about public speaking, bonding with teammates, and showcasing talents, which sums up our camp’s three main thrusts.
“YCC has touched the lives of many young adults in Sarawak, albeit in a small way, and in the process, we have created memories that will last a lifetime.”
He highlighted that the camp encompasses campers’ development in a broader, more holistic sense.
Mike Lim, a veteran broadcaster and former NTV7 national news director, as well as the author of the best-selling book “Public Speaking: Uncle Mike’s Recipe”, was the principal facilitator of YCC.
Lim’s programmes centred on the YCC motto “Get a life and live the dream” and included public speaking, leadership development, and talent showcasing.
The public speaking training culminated in a speech competition called “Lend Me Your Ears”, which had two main categories: Prepared Speech and Impromptu Speech.
The winner received the YB Karim Hamzah Challenge Shield, named after its patron, Abdul Karim, who is also the Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry, and Performing Arts. — DayakDaily
