Celebrating 16 Years of Laughter: Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club's Sweet 16 Anniversary

For 16 years, the Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club has been dedicated to spreading smiles and proving that joy is indeed a powerful medicine.

At their recent “Sweet 16” anniversary celebration, the Club’s founder, Fung Lee Jean, joyfully declared, “Oh yeah, 16 years, it’s like sweet 16. So, we are still teenagers!” The milestone celebration was full of familiar faces, many of whom have been part of the Club from its early days, along with family and friends who are eager to be part of the joy movement for the next 16 years.

A Growing Community of Joy

The event, held at the Club's office on the first floor of a two-storey shophouse in bustling Taman Pelangi, Johor Bahru, was packed with 120 enthusiastic party-goers. It was a lively affair, with the room filled with laughter and camaraderie.

Although participation in laughter sessions was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Club has recently experienced a resurgence. Their weekly activities across Johor Bahru are attracting increasing attendance, and the online laughter sessions—first introduced during the pandemic—continue to welcome participants from beyond Johor Bahru.

Reflecting on the Club's efforts to engage a wider audience, Lee Jean noted, "Most folks here are senior citizens. However, we are making concerted efforts to bring in younger people to join in." Despite the challenge, the Club remains committed to expanding its community, which currently boasts 250 paying members nationwide, with the majority residing in Johor Bahru, where the Club was first established.

Laughter Yoga: A Prescription for Wellness

Since its founding in 2008, the Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club has championed Laughter Yoga, a unique exercise programme developed by Indian physician Dr. Madan Kataria. Laughter Yoga encourages participants to laugh not through humour or comedy but as a deliberate practice that enhances mental, physical, and physiological well-being. This technique has rapidly gained global popularity and is now practised in over 110 countries.

"Laughter is 'the best medicine' for mental, physical, and physiological health," Lee Jean emphasised. As Malaysia's only certified Laughter Yoga Master Trainer, she has been instrumental in expanding the practice to various institutions, including hospitals, government departments, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The Club also reaches out to homes for the aged and the ill, bringing laughter and joy to those who need it most. Additionally, they have trained healthcare workers and volunteers in conducting Laughter Yoga techniques, further spreading the benefits of the practice.

Looking to the Future

When asked about the Club's plans for the next 16 years, Lee Jean expressed ambitious goals. "We are aiming to have our own building. Hopefully, it will be a single-storey house because many of our members are senior citizens. A big, single-story house with land for our activities would be nice," she said. This dream space would allow the Club to host its activities in a more accessible and permanent location, enabling it to continue growing its community and outreach efforts.

Another avenue the Club is exploring is expanding its work with governmental organisations. For the past 16 years, their focus has primarily been on NGOs. However, they hope to collaborate with government departments and secure funding to support their initiatives. The Club already has a strong presence in hospitals, notably the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI), where they conduct two monthly Laughter Yoga sessions in the geriatric ward.

Empowering Volunteers and Expanding Services

In addition to their regular sessions, the Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club has adopted a strategic approach by training volunteers at the NGOs they visit. These volunteers are taught to lead Laughter Yoga sessions, empowering them to continue the practice independently. This model has proven highly effective, particularly with specialised patient groups, such as The Breast Cancer Support Group Johor Bahru, where volunteers now lead their laughter sessions.

The Club's offerings go beyond Laughter Yoga. They also conduct clowning sessions and workshops, bringing extra joy to events and regular sessions at NGO premises. For corporate events, they offer a unique blend of activities, including a drum circle alongside Laughter Yoga, creating an engaging and uplifting experience for participants.

How to Support the Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club

As the Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club looks ahead, they need your support to continue spreading joy. Whether through donations or by inviting the Club to your next corporate event, your involvement can help sustain their mission of delivering happiness.

By inviting the Club, you’ll not only offer your guests a memorable experience but also contribute to the incredible work this organisation continues to do. Laughter truly is the best medicine, and the Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club is determined to keep sharing doses of happiness for years to come.

Learn more about the Johor Bahru Happy & Joyous Club’s initiatives on Sokong and discover ways to be a part of their joyful journey.