Friday, 27th August 2010
Sorry.....just managed to sit at the computer to write a report on Feeding. Been a hectic week, will tell you chaps, all about it, in the next publication.
Anyhow, back to the Feeding Trip - I started early - after loading the car with help of my strong able-bodied MOTH (Man of The House la!) - well....earlyish: 8:15am. Picked Monica Chong of IWC PJ from The Curve, with a car loadful of goodies for the Families in Kapar. After a short preliminary rounds of hellos & hugs, we drove off to Kapar, with Monica sitting next to me and chatting 9 to the dozen - keeping me company while I drove the long arduous journey to Kapar. Boy was I glad she came along!
We arrived in Kapar at around 9am, Mageson was already waiting at The 7-11 Convenience Store in his trusted red bone shaker. there were 3 boys with him to assist - Loges (our regular), Kaviar (the Crooner) & Obed (CNC Caretaker).
We did the usual rounds - said our hellos to the Families and the "Achi, ada sihat, ka?" (Achi, are you well?) with plenty of picture takings from Monica. I was kept very busy organising the food packages with the Kapar Boyz help. I am glad Monica took pictures as our Official Photographer was rather ill and was not able to attend the rounds.
We visited a new Family - Usha. Her husband died and she has 5 children, one of which is mentally & physically disabled. She is quite badly off as she is the sole breadwinner of that household. She earns RM450 in the factory. She clearly needs assistance. I will do my best to help that Family.
Sad news awaits us at Bukit Cheraka Estate Quarters. Amuthavelli's Mom passed away, recently. Now, Amuthavelli who is only 17yrs old is the Woman of the house. She cooks and cleans for the family apart from having to attend school too. FRIENDS OF KAPAR dipped deep into its pockets and contributed RM50 from its Compassionate Fund. That is the least we could do.
Karthik our paraplegic boy who lives with Shanti is doing well he is now undergoing speech & mobility therapy at Klang General Hospital on a more regular basis. FRIENDS OF KAPAR is footing that bill, as we need to pay his Minder for transportation and care everytime he goes to the Hospital.
Friday, 27th August 2010
Week beginning 16/8/2010 - 22/8/2010: very quiet indeed, nothing to report. Just loads of paper work - administrative, accounts, the usual general housekeeping, save for one meeting.
Week beginning 23/8/2010 - 29/8/2010: Fuyoh! Busy la! This is Pre Feeding Week. Oh Man! See below.....
Monday, 23rd Aug 2010 - Met Pastor Joshua for the very first time. Nice chap! Very "Pastourish" - gentle, soft spoken, diplomatic. We discussed Mentakab extensively. After Hari Raya - I am planning a Personal Visit. Anyone wants to tag along? You are most welcome!
Tuesday, 24th Aug 2010 - Morning: administrative work at My Work Station. Cracking my head trying to decipher Mageson's (The Kapar Contact) bad handwriting! In the evening, I had a pleasant visit from my neighbour Jeanine & her husband, They brought 50 bags of 1kg wheat flour. Thank you so much, Jeanine!
Wednesday, 25th Aug 2010 - Collected some clothes, kitchenware, books, knick knacks from Puan Juwita - a friend of Puan Adawiah. Such nice gentle & soft spoken ladies! Puan Juwita kindly donated 2 bags of 10kg rice. It was a pleasant surprise for me. Thank you so much, Puan Juwita!
After that I went shopping at the PJ Old Town Market - for items to be packed into the Grocery Bags. Bought the basic necessity and loaded my already packed car.
On the way home, after shopping I received a call fom Mr. BL Tan - a wonderfully kind hearted gentleman, who has been helping FRIENDS OF KAPAR with books, toys, kitchenware, clothes as well as some cash. He took time off from his busy schedule so as to pass RM100 from a gentleman - Mr. Ho Juan Tuck. Mr. Ho has been contributing to our Mission quite regularly, eventhough he has never met me before! Thank you, Mr. Ho! Thank you Mr. BL Tan - for calling me, just to pass the cash. Thank you too Ms. Lillian Fang for those wonderful, wonderful story books - they are now being enjoyed by The Kapar Kidz in our Library.
Thursday, 26th Aug 2010 - Another busy day. Collected rice from Puan Siti Haja Teh. Puan Siti Haja has been contributing 35 bags of 5kg rice EVERY month without fail. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Kapar Folks kept hunger at bay with the rice that you have been contributing. We are grateful to you.
My next stop was at The Ngs' residence to collect 40 bags of salt & 8 bags of Infant formula. Both Chern & Kim Guan have been contributing salt & infant formula on a monthly basis. Thank you, Chern & Kim Guan. The mommies & babies look forward to the infant formula that you have been contributing.
After that, I was at Mr. Siva's Place to collect his monthly contribution of RM300. With this money, I would buy the other items that have not been donated/ contributed. This visit is something that I looked forward to every month as we always chatted on many, many topics. Today, ironically the topic tend to cruise towards food! Maybe because I was fasting...made me hungrier than ever! Thank you Mr. Siva for your generous contribution and that chat about food! (and no I did not over eat during the breaking of fast!)
Arrived home at 12:30 noon and started packing. Ahmad Zaidi - the Packing Coordinator/ Volunteer wanted to help but I didn't have the heart to allow him, as it is fasting month and he usually works late.
I am all set for Feeding on Friday, 27/8/2010. I received a call about 10pm from Monica Chong of IWC (Inner Wheel Club), wanting to tag along. I was glad to have her along as my usual assistant (Eva) is not well and hence NOT a good company to have on Feeding Rounds! Thank you, Monica!
OK....time to have some Zzzzz...so that I could get up early and load the car, ready for Feeding. I love to go Feeding in Kapar. It is a joy to meet with the Families. Will report after Feeding. My journeys starts at 8:30am.......
Monday, 16th August 2010
Week beginning Monday, 16/8/2010 to Sunday, 22/8/2010.
Oh dear! Writer's Block.....maybe I have nothing to publish....nothing planned yet, that is. Probably paper work, trimming my datas, housekeeping, accounts, blogging oh yes, collecting materials for the NEW website. I am SO excited! FRIENDS OF KAPAR is going to have a spanking NEW website, on top of the Blogspot! Now that IS dandy, alright! Will keep you guys, posted once the website goes on live.
That's it - nothing to publish yet! Will update once I have stuffs to report.
Monday, 16th August 2010
Last week, I did not publish any post....I thought being Ramadhan and all it was going to be a quiet week. But on the contrary....I was rather pleasantly surprised. It was a full and hectic week for FRIENDS OF KAPAR. (makes me forget my hunger pangs, though, one shouldn't say things like this when one is fasting......!)
Oops! before I forget my Ps & Qs - "Selamat Berpuasa to All Friends of FRIENDS OF KAPAR. May the month of Ramadhan brings blessings & tranquility to you & your family".
As I was saying... everything was impromptu nothing planned, but it was a great week. I had various meetings with Donors & Supporters as well as with Contact Persons.
Below are the details of my movement for the week beginning 9/8/2010 - 15/8/2010.
Monday, 9/8/2010 @ 10:00am - collection of books, toys & clothes from Puan Adawiah. Thank You So Much Puan Adawiah. The books & toys will go to the Resource Centre and the clothes will go to our Clothes Centre, which will be distributed to families who need them, as & when.
7:00pm - Meeting with Pastor Mageson - Kapar Contact Person and with Joseph - Kuala Selangor & Tanjung Karang Contact Person. They each reported on the Families that are under their care. Everything seems to be in order.
However, some Families in Kapar will be struck off from the Feeding List as they have improved economically. We have come to a conclusion that in December 2010 and every subsequent December, a review of ALL Families in the List will be done so that other Families can be included in the Feeding List, as well as to prevent over dependency on FRIENDS OF KAPAR.
At about 9:00pm, both Pastor Mageson & Joseph went back to Kapar loaded with stuffs that I have collected for them.
Tuesday - 10/8/2010 @ 11:00am - collection of milk powder - 123 / 456/ adult as well as books from Weng Keong & Family from their Home in Desa City Park. Thank You So Much Weng Keong for the milk powder. These will be distributed the Families with children on Saturday, 28th August 2010 - our August Feeding Rounds.
5:00pm - Meeting with Liz Low & Monica Chong - these 2 lovely ladies are members of The Inner Wheel Club. They have been FRIENDS OF KAPAR's ardent Supporters & Donors in our times of needs.
Liz Low especially, is a my very special friend. Having been in the world of charity & volunteerism for most of her life, she is very generous in dishing out advices & guidance to yours sincerely. Her kindness to FRIENDS OF KAPAR & to me personally goes without any strings attached! She is a very rare friend indeed.
Whereas Monica Chong came to my aid many many times. She helped The Kapar Kidz to obtain spectacles sometime last year and this year she has raised some money towards the Deepavali Wish List.
I was also introduced to Madame Val Rajaram. A very unassuming and humble but gracious former 1st Lady - being a wife of a former Ambassador of Malaysia to various countries in Europe. Looking and talking to Val, I quickly warmed up to her, forgetting her status. She showed no airs & graces. I am so humbled by the likes of her. Val represents The Malayali Women Group. They have pledged to assist with The Deepavali Wish List.
Wednesday, 11/8/2010 - The beginning of Ramadhan! Hmm...I was busy the whole day, right till Buka Puasa Time, sorting out clothes donated to the Families. They were sorted out according to sizes etc. and then repacked accordingly. Very time consuming, indeed!
Thursday, 12/8/2010 - Catching up on the paper work! Wah! Tons of it but manageable!
Friday, 13/8/2010 - A "quiet" day! - A day of Reflection! Reflecting on issues pertaining to FRIENDS OF KAPAR, that is!
Saturday, 14/8/2010 - My "OFF Day"! Yipee! Slept in late! No need to cook! Ate out for Buka Puasa & Sahur! What a glorious, glorious day!
Sunday, 15/8/2010 - Did 3 rounds of collections!
10:30am - Collected 3 boxes of books! ( I love this part very much, as I know then, the Library will be stocked and the children just enjoy browzing & thumbing through the books), laods of toys, some beddings as well as some clothes. Thank You So Much, Puan Adawiah for organizing this. Really, really appreciate this very much.
11:30 - Collected some bags of clothes from Diana. Thank You So Much, Diana. Will pass these clothes to the Families.
2:30pm - Collected some clothes and toys from Puan Norza & her Family. This was the first time I met Norza & her 2 lovely girls, Sofea & Nadiya. The 2 young ladies actually gave FRIENDS OF KAPAR their pre loved toys. Thank You So Much, I assure you that they will be cherished.
3:30pm - Sorted all the items ready to be collected, latest by Wednesday or Thursday, ready to be distributed.
That.....in short was the week that was.......read the next blog for the week that will be........
Saturday, 7th August 2010
Whilst waiting for the film crew to do their assignment, I went into Kamatchi's house. It was a cooling respite as the day was very hot & sweltering. I got to know Kamatchi's sister-in-law pretty well after taking shelter 2 hours, there.
Kamatchi's sister-in-law, Devagi is 55 years old. She has never been married. She is rather sickly. When she was 19 years old, she started working in the rubber estate as a rubber tapper. She worked as a rubber tapper for 10 years, before moving into the oil palm estate. She was there until she fell sick and couldn't work anymore.
I was very fascinated by her habit of chewing betelnut leave (sirih). Apparently, she has been eating this ever since she was 12 years old. Now, she is addicted to this habit. It was quite difficult to converse with Devagi as she does not speak Malay at all. Neither does she understands it. She only speaks Tamil & my Tamil is zilch! However, with a translater, we could share a laugh!
Saturday, 7th August 2010
Friends Of Kapar completed its July Feeding today. It was a success! Joining me & Mageson were Cynthia, Zaidi & Pei Voon. 2 young volunteers - Loges & Mohan were present too.
First & foremost I'd like to thank our hosts of Donors for their kind contributions, hence making this month's Feeding a success!
Thank You So Much - Puan Siti Haja & Family, Mr. Siva & Friends, Chern & Kim Guan, Naadira & Doc. Ridzwan, Janine & Husband - my neighbour, Cheryl & Amy, Liz Low, Joelle Tan & Friends of SHELL Cyberjaya, Jaime Teoh, Mr. Lim Lai Seng, Haji Mohd. Shah of Nestle.
This month's Grocery Bags were filled with:
rice/ flour/ meehoon/ maggi mee/ salt/ sugar/ bottled oil/ sardines/ milo/ dhall/ biscuits/ bath soap/ tooth brush/ tooth paste/shampoo. For those households with small children, infant, the sick & the handicapped - milk powder, oats, nestum, multivitamins & disposable diapers were also given. About 100 packets of confectionary were distributed to the children.
We started as early as 8:30am from Kota Damansara - our packing base, and arrived in Meru & Kapar at around 9am. From our meeting point at 7-11. Meru we visited one house after the other.
There were some good news awaiting, when we arrived. Good news - Family in abandoned house has managed to get help from another donor. Therefore, none was needed from our side. However, we are still providing milk powder for the infant and children. We also gave a packet of biscuits, 1/2 dozen canned drinks, 1/2 dozen UHT milky drink and some multivitamins for the lactating mom.
Another good news, Muniama - our participating Family in the Micro Financing Program is doing well. Her farm of jasmine flowers are growing well. In perhaps 2 to 3 months, she may be able to harvest. We will still be providing her with a grocery Bag, as we felt she still needs help. Our cut off date is on Dec 2010.
Sad news - I wonder if I had mentioned about the 5 children whose mom had left them with their dad. Dad being a lorry driver had to work long hour. Because of that, he had to leave them with a neighbour. Mom came back, but is now gone again. This is the fourth time, mom has done her disappearing act! The children too had moved to another house. At the time this blog is written we are still trying to locate them, as they clearly need help.
We also added a new Family on our List. Parimalar 27, has 2 children - 1 1/2 yr old boy & 8mth old girl. Her husband left her high & dry 5 months ago. Parimalar is a housewife and has no income. She was forced to move in with her sister's family 2 months. Looking at the desperate situation she is in - we decided that she needs help badly. We are also providing Infant formula for the 2 children.
A former Family was readded to the List. Chandrika met with an accident a few days ago in a hit & run accident. As a result, she couldn't work. Looks like we may need to assist Chandrika & family for the next 2 to 3 months.
Friday, 6th August 2010
Friends Of Kapar participated in the Sri KDU Merdeka Carnival / Patriotic Run held annually at the School. It was a day of fun & activities.
Eva bought a stall for RM120 from her pocket money and ran it single handedly, selling trinkets, to raise funds for Friends Of Kapar. She also roped in our good friend Ellie - a henna artist to provide henna tatooing services at the booth. Whilst, I opened a Charity Table and ran the Charity Awareness Program.The day started as early as 7:00am, when Eva & I opened our stall. We set our booth and within 30 minutes we were ready.Eva was also busy taking photographs, as she is Friends Of Kapar's Official Photographer. All these pictures in this Blog were taken by her.
At 8:00am, there was an Opening Ceremony for the Carnival. Right after that, the Patriotic Run started. By 10:00am the Run ended and a Prize Giving Ceremony was held.
At exactly, 11:00am, clients started trickling in. Initially, business was rather slow, but it started to pick a steady phase towards the afternoon. Apart from our stalls, there were others, mostly selling food.
The Carnival ended at 4:30pm but we only closed our stall at 5:00pm as we had customers right till then. Eva made a clean profit of RM900 and donated ALL to Friends Of Kapar. Not bad for a 14 year old! Thank You, Eva! Good Job!
The Friends Of Kapar Charity Table attracted a considerable amount of interest. Sri KDU is interested in working on the "Kids for Kids" Campaign with Friends Of Kapar. We are looking forward to this collaboration. I also met a parent & philathrophist who showed interest in working with Friends Of Kapar. It was a good day for me as I managed to network with others for the benefit of Friends Of Kapar.
It was a long & exhaustive day! But definitely worthwhile!
Tuesday, 3rd August 2010
I had the greatest pleasure of meeting Joshua & Rachel from StArt Org. StArt Org. is our Sister NGO. They dedicate themselves to the teaching of the Arts. By doing so, they are hoping to make a difference in the lives of the poor & the underprivileged children. They are currently working with a number of Children's Homes in & around PJ. They are also deeply involved with the immigrant children of various nationalities.
Friends of Kapar is indeed lucky to be able to work with StArt Org. StArt Org. is planning to provide music, dance & movement classes with the Kapar Kidz. This will be conducted in The CNC on Saturday.
Joshua, Rachel, Eva & I went around Kapar scouting for a dance studio. We found one and Jeannie - the Dance Mistress was more than happy to help us. A program will be drawn up and monitored by StArt.
Friends Of Kapar looks forward with this collarboration with StArt Org. Thank you for making a difference!
Tuesday, 3rd August 2010
Friends Of Kapar was very honoured indeed to have been invited to set up our booth during their Charity Day. It was a great opportunity for us to inform the public about Friends Of Kapar and our activities.
I was apprehensive as it was the first time for me to be setting a booth on my own - alone! I arrived at 9:00am and waited till 9:30am. Immediately, I was ushered in by Ms. Laily. She was friendly and helpful. She must have taken pity on me and helped me to carry a few stuffs. I was very grateful for her assistance.
I got to work immediately and the booth was ready after an hours' hard work. I thought it looked quite good! Next to our booth was UNICEF. Hmm....their display was superb! I made my rounds saying hello to my fellow participants.
By 11:00am the hall became alive with loud chatters and laughters. Before I knew it, I saw many SHELL staffs filling into whatever empty spots available in the hall. They were all superbly dressed in their national costumes. After a short launch and opening, everyone went around buying items which were on sale.
Mouth watering aroma of yummy, delicious food wafted all along the narrow passage filled with hungry crowds. There was Nasi Lemak, Nasi Ayam, Mee Siam, Mee Curry, pies, cakes, tarts, fruits, drinks and all sort of delicious food imaginable. It made me really hungry.
Friends Of Kapar attracted many interested parties, enquiring of our activities. Some even donated cash. To all the donors on that day - Thank you so much for making a difference!
The event ended at 2:00pm. All in all it was an exciting day for Friends Of Kapar. Thank You So Much, SHELL!
