Moving & Renovation Fund for Harvest Centre, Sentul

I've meant to write about this, but WSL beat me to it. All the better... since she writes better than me :-)

So, no need repeat .... hop over to here .

Just want to add this : I've gone and visited them, and they're really doing amazing work, keeping more than 1000 kids off the streets. There's no discrimination of colour and creed. All are precious....

Thank you for helping.

http://harvestcentre.webs.com/

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Support a Home

All the camps and worskhops finally over as of yesterday. There's still the Church Christmas Party this Saturday (but that doesn't really count)... so I'm set to relax. Of course I still have Fitline and Breastfeeding... that's year-round work. (Actually not work la, since I really enjoy doing it, so it doesn't feel like 'work' - more like hobby. But I get paid for these hobbies! Good eh?)

I've always have an interest in Homes for Children. These homes not only take in orphans but also kids whose parents are not able to take care of them. Whenever I start talking of these Homes, invariably some people will comment that some of these Homes are very 'high-profile' ie, they have big corporations and many influential people supporting them. These people will also comment that they rather give their money to lesser-known Homes. and when I asked them which Home do they support, most will not be able to give me a name!!!

As I've been working closely with some of these 'high-profile' Homes, I found out a few facts:

1. Yes, they may be well funded, but all the monies goes towards the welfare of the children. These children, like any children deserve:
good food
good clothes
good education (it's difficult to get anyone to volunteer to tutor them for FREE, so tuition teachers have to be paid)

All the above can be bought with Money, and most of the time, all the money donated to these Homes are actually not eough! Home Administrators sometimes have to go looking for donation when they should be spending their time looking after the welfare of the Children.

2. It's a fact that most people are more willing to just give money, but not their time

3. And even if Big Corporations and Influential People support these Homes, they do not visit the Kids on a regular basis and give them what they need most - a warm, caring and loving HUG and ADULT EMOTIONAL SUPPORT - on a regular basis.

I know of this company. My friend was in the committee. They wanted to do some charity. When my friend suggested these 'high-profile' Homes, the other committee members shot down the idea, saying that these homes already got the support of many big organizations. They wanted a lesser-known Home. Guess what? 2 years later they still have not done any 'charity' for any Homes. Why? All Homes suggested do not meet their criteria of deserving their help. So what happens to the money collected? Dunno.

Why are many people against supporting these Homes? Some refused to give anything because they say the Home Administrators will only take for themselves the rice or canned-food donated. Do they have proofs? Mostly it's just hearsay. It's just rumours passing from one mouth to the next without a thought to find out for themselves if it's really true. It's really a bleak way of looking at people - with suspicion, thinking that all these people who worked for the welfare of the less-priviledged as dishonest or worse - crooks!!

If you can help just ONE child by regularly giving your help and love, you might just have changed this CHILD's future. And if you really want to support ONLY 'lesser-known' Homes, then do it!! Don't just yak about it.

It's rewarding

I've not updated this blog for 10 days!!!

It's been a frenzied time for me. Feverishly promoting the school holiday camps. Runing north, south , east and west asking people to sponsor 15 less-priviledged teens so that they too can attend The YES! Camp which was held on 2 - 4 Dec 2009 (Wednesday to Friday).

It's already 1st Dec and with 4 more teens left unsponsored, but I knew somehow, someone will help us pull through. Amazingly (but not surprisingly), it happened! Thank you to all my good friends who either sponsored a teen (some even sponsored 4!) or heped me get the word out!. Indeed there are many great amazing people out there!

Someone asked... why am I doing this? Honestly, I'm not making tons of money from these camps (yet), but I do it because I really really enjoy it. I enjoy seeing the awareness and understanding dawning in the kids eyes. I enjoy seeing them come out of their shell and start opening up. I enjoy pushing them to their limits and have them succeed.

There were many participants who were initially not happy to be there. They were forced by their parents, or by their guardians(in the case of some of the sponsored teens)

There was this girl.... she was sulking. She was not happy to be there. Everything is boring for her. On the last day, she was smilling and high-5-ing her new friends. And she wrote "people are not that bad... i just have to give them, and myself a chance". That's great isn't it?

Another said "Now I appreciate all that I have. I will be more positive from now on, and not complain just because I don't get my own way."

Yet another, "I have been to many camps, but this is the best camp ever!!"

Out of 29 participants, all (but 1) had an amazing time. I'm not making this up. I've proofs!! I actually recorded them saying these! And I have it in writing too!!! Ask to see it if you want!

So... one did not enjoy himself. He felt that the camp was 'military' and he did not come to camp to be 'tortured'!!! He told me personally that he hated the camp. (But yet, during graduation time, when we gave out the certificates, he said that he had a great time.) Oh well.... you can't please everyone!!

I'm happy.

And exhausted.

But Happy

Very happy

Teacher Izma

Last friday, Stephanie (my 10-year-old) was repeatedly hit in the face with a book by a teacher! Her offence? She forgot to bring her book to school!

This teacher is well-known for hitting students. She's about 40+, wears long fake eye-lashes with studs on them (seriously), thick make-up, long fingernails with a ring on almost every finger. For this reasons, we dubbed her Izma (from Disney's Emperor's New Groove):

(think about the above in baju kurung, and you'll get the approximate picture)

She has been terrifying the kids since last year! This year, Josephine (Year 3) has her for Maths and Stephanie (Year 4) has her for KT (Kajian Tempatan).

She's a slapper! She once told a boy "The next time I'm going to give you a tight slap!" and she immediately slapped the boy! What happended to 'next time'????

She once banged two boys' head together because they wouldn't stop talking.

She told Jo's class that if they don't get an A for Maths, she's going to 'whollop' them!

She has been slapping and hitting the students, but no one dare complain coz the kids are terrified for she had warned them "if you complain to your parents and I get into trouble, you'll be in bigger trouble!"

Some parents knew about it, but no one complained as most likely, parents are afraid their kids will be victimized if they complained. This has been known to happen.

I am a "fair complainer". But I am also an 'appreciator'. Teachers know me. After all I've 4 kids in the same school!

You can imagine how I reacted when Stephanie told me on Friday (after school) that Izma used a book and hit both sides of her face. I was furious! I went back to school immediately (school's just 3 mins away from my house), wanting to confront Izma. She left already, but the HM and assistant-Head were still there. HM not free to see me, so Asst-H took down my complaint.

When I asked her what actions will be taken, she said that they will investigate, but the school is not obliged to tell me what actions were taken. (This is what they always say whenever a parent complain about a teacher or a situation). I told her that if they don't tell me what actions will be taken, then I'll just assumed no actions were taken. I'll lodge a police report and then go to Ministry of Education. That got her attention! As she cannot make decisions, she told me to come back on Monday (today) to speak to the HM.

Cut long story short, HM promised to investigate, but with UPSR and etc, she'll need time.

Stephanie came back from school today pretty unhappy. She told me that Izma scolded her in front of the class. Told her off for 'squealing' on her and getting her in trouble. Izma claimed that she did not hit her face. She was holding a notebook, and was going to tap Steph on the shoulder, but accidentally hit her face. Huh? Accidentally hit hit both sides of her face a few times?????

Izma asked the class who she has hit before. A girl put up her hand and Izma told her to 'put down your hands stupid girl!" No one else dare to put up their hands. Izma also told Stephanie that if she's so 'precious' she should just get out of the class and don't study or change school.

During Math period in Jo's class, Izma scolded Jo for not doing her work properly and say "I'm going to whollop your face if you do this again! You are just like your sister!"

I am horrified! How can this mad woman be allowed to teach????? I will insist on her termination!! I won't let this go without a fight!

Maids

There are 2 new maids at home .....

Because the 2 maids are new to the job, they're not used to hard work. By the end of 1 week, both were scheming about running away.

The kids were very sweet.

They helped to wash plates (after which Ginawati has to rewash, due to the soap and sometimes grease and food still stuck on the plates).

They helped to sweep the floor (moving the dirt and dust from one end of the room to the other end.)

They helped to wipe the tables (sweeping all the food residue and bones under the table.)

They helped to tidy up their room (dumping everything out of sight into the cupboards.)

They helped.

Thanks!

............................. I mean it!!!

* kisses and hugs for them!

Picnic @ Tiny Tapir

I joined a Picnic @ the Bungalow yesterday which was hosted by Tiny Tapir Eco Shop.

There were tables promoting stuffs ranging from baby clothings to eco friendly, home made sanitary napkins to hand-made costume jewelries.

I love visiting the bungalow. I give breastfeeding and nutrition talks there every 2 months or so. And everytime I visit, I ended up buying stuffs. This time, I bought:

If you do not know what it is - it's cloth sanitary napkins!! It comes in various sizes and thickness for different flows and days. I've started using cloth sanitary napkins since 6 months ago, and I really like it!! For one thing - there isn't the horrible stink that usually accompanies those commercial disposable pads. I mean - the menstrual blood actually don't smell when I use cloth napkins. Secondly, I feel better not contributing to the amount of garbage in the landfills! I am doing my part Saving the World!! Yay!

I was also very intrigued by Christene's Bento making demo. She seems to magically turn simple, ordinary, boring food into works of art! Watching her, I really admire her dedication to ensure that her family gets her best! I know bento-ing won't be my kind of thing - but it's really awesome watching someone else do it - and with such ease and flourish!

To see more of Christene's creation, click here. Yum!!

A Pasar Malam Experience

I took Damian to makan dinner at the local Pasar Malam (Night Market). He has been to the Pasar Malam , ummm, maybe 4 times in his entire life, so you can imagine that this is indeed a treat for him and he's eager to try some new stuffs.

We decided on Asam Laksa and some sinful fried chicken fillet with cinnamon and fresh chilli powder (yummy!) We have to share a table with this man (in his late 40s, maybe). He was eating his asam laksa quietly, he doesn't look like anyone you'd take notice of.

Immediately after his dinner, the man lighted a cigarette and literally blew smoke into our faces and food! Damian coughed and look meaningfully at me. I said to Damian, "It's all selfishness. The world would be a better place if we're not so selfish."

And to our shock, the smoker started yelling at us "What's wrong with me having a quiet smoke after my dinner? Can't I enjoy life?!!!!"

I stared back at him (coolly, I believe), "Of course you can enjoy life, but we have the right to breathe un pollutted air!"

He continued yelling, "Then drop dead! Your son can also drop dead! Hah! I was not disturbing anyone! I was just having a quiet dinner!"

Damian was obviously shaken. I whispered to him "It's ok. Just finish our dinner. When someone curse you, the curse will fall back on him."

And he continue shouting (yes, people were looking) "So what if the curse falls back on me? Hah! You don't like ciggarette smoke, don't come out of your house-la!"

I fixed my eyes on him and stared daggers at him. (Anyone who's familiar with the killing-look-of-a-mother will know what I'm talking about.) He immediately shut-up. He finished his ciggy and dialled someone on the phone and started yelling into it saying "If you don't pay up I'll just have to force you" (yar, like that kind of talk is going to scare me!)

I continued staring at him ... making him all flustered. Then we left, only after I slowly finish my asam laksa, all the while staring at him!

Damian was troubled by the whole incident. I explained that maybe that man had a real bad day, and is somewhat crazy, and the slightest provocation sets him off. Poor guy!

"What about him telling us to drop dead?" he asked

It's like this. If you throw a stone at a wall, what happens? It'll bounce back and hit the thrower, right? We are like the wall, protected by our strong faith and values, and no curse can touch us. We are children of God and Jesus is our Lord after all. Who can harm us?

Damian is more relieved after that.

A little Influential

We were on our way to the library. Waiting for the traffic light to turn green.

Suddenly Stephanie exclaimed, "Oh my gosh!! Look at those bad men!

Everyone turned to look at the car next to ours. Two men were eating kuaci (sunflower seeds) and chucking the shells out of their windows. All my kids stared aghast at them.

"So bad, they're treating the world like their dustbin, hor mommy?" Jeremy commented

The 'bad men' realised that they were being stared at.

Josephine shook her index finger at them, (like a mother shaking her finger at her child who's being naughty).

Damian shook his head at them and gave them a disgusted look.

The men had the decency to blush and looked embarassed. They continued eating their kuaci, but kept the shells in their hands.

Even kids can make a difference, be a little influential.

Scratch & Win Scam

Had lunch with a friend the other day. After lunch, as we were walking to her car, we noticed 3 very excited young people gathering around a professional-looking man in a business suit. Immediately we knew that this is the 'scratch and win scam' in action.

They were talking rather loudly, exclaiming "Wow, you're the first person we know who win so big! You must take action now to claim your prize!"

The professional-looking man also got very excited. He was like 'Wow, amazing, amazing, Nothing like this happened to me before. How to get the prize?" *eyes rolling* will people never learn?

We got into the car. I've known this friend of mine to be rather shy and quiet, so what she did next almost knocked me off the rockers! She drove her car right up to the group of excited people, rolled down her window and yell "Hey stupid, this is a scam! You never read the papers ah?" And before they had any chance to respond, she drove off!

Wow!

What came over my friend? Her hubby was the victim of such a scam. Lost $5ooo+ and in return, got a house full of low-quality appliances.

Well... there are still so many gullible people around .... and if we, (like my friend) can come out of our shells and attempt to alert an innocent (tho gullible) person, we could (and should).

I don't know if that professional-looking man did get conned. I hope not!

Earth Hour

Kids were excited over Earth Hour. Kept a countdown since they heard about it in Church 2 Sundays ago.

10 days before Earth Hour:
Jeremy - "Switch off lights only? So, can still watch TV?"

8 days before Earth Hour:
Jo - "Will the police come catch those people who don't to turn off their lights?"

5 days before Earth Hour:
Someone asked Stephanie what Earth Hour is all about. She answered "I think God made the Earth on March 28th at 830pm a million years ago."

2 days before Earth Hour:
Damian - "How are we actually helping by switching off the lights for only one hour?"

5 1/2 hours before Earth Hour (4pm)
Blackout @ Jalan Puteri Senggang, Sri Petaling
Called TNB - "Ada kerosakan sikit, cik. Kejap lagi api balik" ("There's slight malfunction, miss. We'll have the energy back in a short while")

5pm -
No electricity,
Brenda & Dylan (Kids' friends from school) came over to play.
They've not heard of Earth Hour!!!!?????
Invited them to stay for Dinner, so can experience Earth Hour together. Their mom said ok

6pm
still no electricity

6.30pm
had dinner outside the house, sitting at the porch.
Ice-cream for dessert.
Benjamin, Marcus, Denielle (the cousins) came over to celebrate Earth Hour with their parents and dog, Rusty.

7.30 pm
Electricity came back on. Yay!
Kids quickly switched on the aircond to cool down their room!! ;-)

8.30 pm
Earth Hour! (lights off by choice, this time).
9 excited kids talking at the tops of their voices. Madhouse!
Ate doughnuts by candle-light. Sugar everywhere!
BIL irritated the adults by shining his powerful torch in our faces, but the kids thought it was fun!
Played "Spelling Bee" A-N-T ant, T-R-E-E tree, E-N-T-E-R enter, R-O-C-K rock, (do you see the pattern?)
Played charade

9.30 pm
"No, no, don't switch on the lights yet. We're having sooooo muuuucccchhhh fuuuunnnnn!!!"