A Zoo Trip With An Orphanage

29 September 2012  -  A memorable day which the kids and their minders from Pusat Jagaan Beribuan Kasih Kajang will never forget for a long, long time.  This was their first outing to Zoo Negara and later was told by the Caretaker that this was also their only outing since this Home was set up 6 years ago.  The idea to bring them to Zoo Negara was conceived about 2 months ago when during one of our visits, Kavitha (the Caretaker) mentioned that her kids had never been out on an outing before.  Somehow, Zoo Negara popped into mind and after getting Hubby’s agreement, we told Kavitha our plan.

Things fell into place smoothly with support coming in from kind-hearted friends.  Along the way, made some new friends – wonderful people who went out of their way to assist us upon learning our plan.  Hubby’s colleagues pledged to sponsor the bus and lunch.  Mr Chandra who sponsored the lunch even brought his family along on that day.  A 44-seater luxury bus was secured by my dear sister and the Bus Company's owner even did his bit by sponsoring dinner at Old Town White Coffee, another first for these kids.  A family friend who brought her family along for the trip also made some contribution.  Not forgetting my FB friend, Madam Lee SP and her hubby - angels who took time out of their busy schedule just to meet us at the Zoo to deliver snacks to the kids.

Thus, the date was set on 29 September 2012.  With the helpful assistance from Zoo Negara’s Customer Relation Manager, Encik Helmie, we purchased the tickets a week beforehand at a discounted price.   We also bought the Zoo’s Goodie Bag containing animal caps and notebooks for the kids for keepsake and arranged lunch inside the Zoo.  The Manager of the Wild Restaurant, Encik Amran is another kind soul who gave us discount on the food.  The Old Town White Coffee outlet in Bandar Tasik Selatan, upon learning that our guests for dinner are from an Orphanage also offered us some discount. 

The Goodie Bag - thoughful gifts from dear Hubby

On the day itself, the bus arrived at the Home at 9.00am and all the 25 kids and 6 caretakers were ready to go.   Getting them into the bus was no trouble at all as they were very disciplined and obedient.  And this same discipline is noted all throughout the trip. 

Wei Wei leading the kids to the Bus

Yeah, we are going to the Zoo

My wonderful tour leader, Winnie and her assistant, Gary

A Group photo was taken before ushering the kids into the Zoo.  Our first destination is the Show Amphitheatre where the Animal Show takes place.  The kids obediently took their seats and waited patiently for the show to start.  Excitement were evident in their faces as they watched the various animals perform their individual skills under their trainer’s instruction. 



Group Photo

Waiting in line at the Entrance



The kids go marching two by two, hurrah hurrah ...



Waiting for the Show to begin ...



The show ended at noon and the kids were then brought to the Wild Restaurant where a section of the Restaurant has been thoughtfully prepared for these kids’ arrival by its owner, Encik Amran.  On the tables, burgers, fried chicken, fries and Coke greeted these kids and they heartily tucked into their lunch. 



Lunch time - courtesy of Mr Chandra



Tucking into Burger, Fried Chicken, Fries n Coke

Little Haresh enjoying his Fried Chicken

After a fulfilling lunch, it was time to burn off the calories and the tour of the Zoo started with my sister and elder son, Gary leading the group.  We stopped occasionally to allow the kids to have closer look at the animals, ask questions and take some photos.  Being first time experience for these kids, their curiosity and questions were endearingly refreshing.  After walking for 2 hours, Uncle Chew threw in another treat for the kids – Ice-Cream.  We stopped at the Wall's Ice-cream kiosk and the Manager of the outlet upon learning that his young customers of the day were from an Orphanage, kindly gave us some discount on the ice-cream.  We finished the rest of the tour around 4pm and before leaving  the Zoo, the kids were brought to a Souvenir shop where the Owner has generously prepared small gifts for them. 

Jacinta is a great help with Little Gishan

Feeding the elephants - one of the highlight of the day for these kids

 

Armed with goodies and happy memories, the happy but tired group boarded the bus, but the party is not over yet.  The bus took us to Bandar Tasik Selatan where we had earlier booked dinner at the Old Town White Coffee outlet.  The awe on the kids faces is evident as they have never dine is such places before.  Even though dinner was just a simple Nasi Lemak and Ice-Lemon Tea but the atmosphere and service rendered by the staff made them feel like VIPs. 

A first for the kids - dining at a restaurant like this

Food may be simple but the ambience makes a whole difference

Kavitha enjoying a relaxing moment with her daughter

Finally, we reached the Home around 7pm.  It was heartwarming to see each kid thank the bus driver as they alight the bus one by one.  A simple gesture done sincerely out of their hearts, without being prompted or instructed. 

As I told Hubby, this has to be the best Zoo Trip I've ever been to, and it would not have been possible without the support from dear friends. To all who contributed meals, treats, snacks and most importantly your heart, towards this trip, my deepest appreciation and heartfelt thanks to you all.  Know that the few hours of your time which you have given up today has brought bountiful happiness to these kids and the lasting memories which will stay with them for a long time. 

Bringing Mid-Autumn Cheer to Old Folks and Orphans

15 September 2012  -  With Mid-Autumn Festival just around the corner, Hubby and I decided to bring some mooncakes to the old folks at Persatuan Rumah Warga Emas Klang.  We arrived just in time for their tea-time and Hubby took up the task of cutting the mooncakes while sons and I served them to the elderly folks.  The Chinese welcomed it with a sense of déjà vu and even the Indians seem enjoy it as well and asked for seconds.  Hubby's generosity ensured that all had their fill and even some extras to keep the next day. It sank upon us that most elderly folks in the Home has lost their sense of time and dates, judging from the Chinese uncles’ reaction, who claim that they are unaware it is already the eight lunar month and Mid-Autumn festival will be celebrated in a fortnight’s time.

Surprisingly, most of the elderly folks there have remarkably good memory in other areas, such as they can remember us, the last time we visited and what we brought for them.  Few uncles remarked that we have not visited them for some time already, our last visit should be in June. A few, upon seeing us, asked for “pau”, which is what we brought on our last visit.  Most remembered Hubby for the minyak angin and tiger balm he gave them and one by one approached him for it.  As usual, Hubby’s stock ran out fast but being the kind-hearted guy he is, he went out to a nearby shop to get some more because he did not want to disappoint any of them.  Even the usually prickly uncle has warmed up to us and reached out his hands to greet us, a very encouraging sign indeed.  Soon, he got Hubby engaged in a one-sided conversation like old friends … one-sided cause Hubby couldn’t understand him at all, haha.

One elderly uncle who was admitted to the Home few days before our last visit due to a serious road accident which left him with broken arms and legs, happily informed us that he just had the screws on his hand and leg removed but the steel plate is still intact.  There was also a grim news that greeted us as one of the elderly uncle suffered a stroke relapse which rendered him partially paralysed.  The Caretaker herself is not spared from pains and aches due to old age and finding it increasingly tiring to take care of these elderly folks, but luckily she still has a daughter to help her out and the able-bodied elderly folks will also lend a hand in taking care of the others.

Taking a backseat for a moment, I watched the elderly folks pass their time, some chit-chatting with each other, some sitting alone, the expressions on their faces held loneliness and sadness.  Whenever I bade my farewell to them, I will caress their faces and give them a hug, seemingly small gesture but one I hope could just give them some small comfort.

16 September 2012  -  Malaysia Day, a day for Malaysians, what better way to celebrate this than remembering the abandoned and the forgotten citizens of this country?  Thus, we set out to send few bags of rice and mooncakes to Pusat Jagaan Beribuan Kasih in Kajang. 

The kids had just returned from the temple and despite having a full stomach, they still went for the mooncakes we brought.  They too seem to love it.  There is an elderly Japanese lady there, who is unable to walk or eat without assistance, who looks so happy each time we visit.  As I fed her a piece of mooncake, tears stream down her face ... the saltiness of tears mingled with the sweetness of the mooncake - a sad combination indeed.

These past two years have changed my outlook on life a lot ... I know for sure that on Mid-Autumn Festival night, as I gaze at the full moon, watching my kids play with lanterns, my mind will wander off to these people...