Saturday, December 17, 2011

School Bags For Padmasambhava Children Loving Association

12 December 2011  -  Today we took on the role of Santa’s helpers to deliver an early Xmas gift to the kids at Padmasambhava Children Loving Association.  About three months back, these kids expressed their wish to have new school bags for the new school year as their current school bags have served them well for some time already and most had succumbed to wear and tear.
“Santa” in the form of Hubby’s colleague, Mr Chandra, generously granted their wishes and 22 new school bags were thus packed in a big box, colourfully wrapped and tied with a gigantic red bow which was delivered by Hubby and yours truly.  As soon as Hubby put down the big gift box, excited kids appeared and surrounded it, eagerly awaiting to peek at their gifts.  Within seconds, the kids made short of unwrapping the gift box and were happily choosing their prefered bags.  We hoped that each kid is able to find one that he or she likes.  We had taken time and care in choosing the school bags, with these kids’ varying ages in mind.  We didn’t want them all to end up with the same-looking bags which can be easily mixed up in their confusion when getting ready for school.  Also, didn’t want a boy to end up carrying a girly-looking school bag and be made a laughing stock. Or the fashion-savvy teenager to go to school with a childish-looking bag.  So with these considerations in mind and their name list as a guide, Hubby, sons and myself patiently selected the kind of bags we figure would appeal to them.  The shop’s sales staff provided useful assistance and we completed our mission with ease. We got the younger kids the bags with the latest cartoon characters while the older ones get the latest design in vogue.
A BIG THANK YOU again to Mr. Chandra for bringing joy to the kids at this Home.  My respect for this great man whom I have yet to have the blessing to meet is beyond words.  He was also the same kind benefactor  who had earlier contributed Deepavali money packets towards Project MADE’s Light Of Cheer Feeding Program in Mentakab. A great guy whose heart must be an enormous vault of love and compassion.
For this trip, we added our personal  contribution of 500 exercise books.  Their school apparel’s needs have already been taken care of by Project MADE’s sponsor last week.
These kids can now look forward to the new school year.  Not only will they be clad in new uniforms and smartly shod, they will also be carrying new school bags… all these courtesy of people who care. Another testimony of the powerful kindness of human spirit. 




Monday, December 12, 2011

A Place They Call Home

10 December 2011  -  A leisurely Saturday morning drive along the scenic country road with dear Hubby and Junior No. 3 ended up in Pusat Jagaan Beribuan Kasih, Kajang.  It was an impromptu visit to deliver some souvenirs which we brought back from Penang for a few of the old folks there. 
On arrival, we were greeted by news that Kavitha had to bring one of the resident who developed high fever to Hospital.  Aunty Jane, as she is fondly known, is one of the Home’s relatively new resident who just moved there about 3 weeks ago.  She is a kidney patient who undergoes dialysis 3 times a week and has already lost sensation in both her feet.  In our previous encounter, she had asked for a mantra bead bracelet and we manage to get her one in Penang, but sadly unable to give it to her today. 
After a few visits, the kids and the old folks there have begun to warm up to us easily.  As in all my visits, I will seek out each old folk to greet them, spending a minute or two enquiring about their healt and well-being, but today my time and attention lingered longer on an old Japanese woman who we were told were abandoned by her son.  Till now we do not know the real sad tale that surrounds this lady as she can only communicate in her native language.  We were just told that she was abandoned in the Hospital and a Good Samaritan approached Kavitha to take her in.  She is unable to walk on her own or control her bladder and spend a good part of her day sitting alone in a chair.  In the past visits, when Hubby or I greet her, she will place her hands on her knees and bow in return, muttering a greeting in Japanese.  But today she took me by surprise when upon seeing me, she grip my hands and broke down in tears.  A fellow resident explained that she had been missing her family badly for the past few days and my presence and concern reminds her of them.  I feel so sad for her and after wiping away her tears, I took the piece of bread from her wobbly hands and fed her myself.  Each mouthful leaves behind globs of peanut butter as she is unable to control her oral muscles well.  Drinking tea is another messy affair.  Luckily, I have some wet tissues which took care of the above situation.  After finishing her meal, she showed me her hands and muttered something which I’m unable to understand.  Another lady resident stepped in to explain that she wanted her finger-nails cut.  Obligingly, I attended to her request, only to find that her finger-nails were already shortly trimmed.  Looking up at her expectant face, I did not have the heart to disappoint her so I made some cutting motion on her nails and she was happily satisfied.  It dawned on me that maybe she just wanted to be touched, so I held and caressed her hands.  Language may be barrier between us but I hoped that I can relay some warmth and comfort to her in this way.
Hubby, on the other hand, seem to be getting on well with the old uncles there.  We found out about the Home’s latest additions, three young Indian siblings whose father had passed away recently and their mother had to give them up cause unable to support them.  A sad plight...  Hubby always ask me to look on the brighter side and be comforted in the knowledge that these kids may be better off in Homes rather than going hungry and cold out in the streets.  This fact does carry weight to a certain extent, but then their fate still tugs at my heartstring.
Much to our surprise, a few senior residents there tells of a contrasting story to the norm which we often hear about old folks’ plight in Homes.  Contrary to the typical sad tales, these two old men and an old lady told us that they ended up there on their own accord.  They voluntarily sought out this Home to stay despite having kids who are on good terms with them and do visit regularly.  Each of them has his or her own reason for opting to stay in a Home instead of with their kids, but they do not stake claim to being abandoned by their kids.  When talking about their life or their kids, they seem happy and there is no sense of grudge in their manner.  
It turn out that MAXIS had organised a lunch and mini-carnival for this Home that day.  Their Group started to arrive around noon which saw a lorry unloading a new sofa set and kitchen cabinet, while other staff brought in some groceries.  We were happy to learn that apart from these, this group of Angels from MAXIS had managed to raise RM10k to assist in settling the balance of the purchase price for this building.  Bless their hearts, their kind and timely gesture has enabled Pusat Jagaan Beribuan Kasih to own this building before the year end.  Now they will have a place to call their own, something truly worth rejoicing over.  Maybe Kavitha is right after all, if one’s intention is pure and sincere, help will appear to carry one across each hurdle…


Bringing New School Year Joy to Nanthisar Home

28 November 2011  -  Today, being a Public Holiday and also Payday for most, many parents may find themselves in shopping centres attending to their kids' schooling needs for the soon-to-come new school year. This is an annual event which we have experienced with our own kids for umpteen years but today's outing has a slight twist to it.  Our “kids” are actually orphans from the Nanthisar Home, and we are assisting Project MADE whose Sponsor had adopted this Home for their Back-To-School Program 2012. Our role is to assist the Home's Caretaker, Puan Latha in bringing these kids to Mydin Seremban to shop for uniforms, shoes and other necessary things.
Puan Latha and her kids arrived in Mydin Seremban at around 2.30pm and were met by the outlet’s Manager, Encik Daniel and his “Angels" (staffs specially designated to assist us).  Without their help, this would certainly be one great headache for Puan Latha and us.  Those who had similar experience with their own kids will understand what I meant.  Catering to 20 kids, even though well-mannered and disciplined, is no easy task and I must commend Encik Daniel’s angels for their patience and assistance.  From the smiles which never left their faces, no matter how many times the kids change their uniform or shoe sizes, it is obvious that they enjoy doing this for the kids.  Each kid was given a trolley basket with their names tagged on it (a very good idea which came from these angels) for the kids to deposit their chosen uniforms and shoes.  The kids' treasure consist of 2 sets of uniforms, 2 sets of shoes, 3 pairs of socks, one track bottom and a school bag.  The joy which shone on their faces as they happily hugged their very own belongings says it all.  For one who is used to getting used clothes and other items most of the time, having this opportunity to own new clothes and shoes that fit and their very own bag, must be a luxury to them.  To top it all, they are allowed to choose for themselves, which may be something rare to them.
At the check-out counter, the total sum for the uniforms, shoes and bags came up to below the allocated amount.  This was due to Encik Daniel's goodwill in extending good discounts to us, therefore we were able to present these kids with added bonus in form of stationery items. Before the delegation departed for Home, Encik Daniel personally presented each kid with a “gift pack” and imparted some “fatherly advice” to them.  The happy kids repeatedly shook hands and thanked all who were there, including us, which were kind of embarassing as we felt undeserving of their gratitude.  It was the generous gesture from SNF Foundation and great effort from Project MADE in making this possible. 
The kids took home with them their treasures but left behind warm memories for Encik Daniel and his “Angels”.  As for Hubby and myself, we were thankful that we were given this chance to share this wonderful experience in bringing Joy to this Home.  A BIG THANK YOU to Project MADE for Making A Difference in these kids’ lives…