Beyond Kapar......

Wednesday, 29th Deecember 2010

There's only 3 more days left to 2010. Soon it would be "sayonara" 2010 & "moshi-moshi" 2011. I am somewhat apprehensive. In 2011 - Eva (our - as in Shah's & mine - daughter) will be sitting for her PMR exams. I am after all a parent first, and just like any other parent, I am worried! I am worried for her performance as well as for MY performance. Will I be able to juggle parenthood with an exam-sitting-teenager and FRIENDS OF KAPAR with its issues? Hmm.........."Nisi Dominus Frustra"

I am proud to announce that FRIENDS OF KAPAR has come a full circle. It has managed to widen its web of assistance. In doing so, it has made a difference in the lives of not only to our friends in Kapar but also those of countless other friends we came across - in Kota Bharu, Kelantan as well as to our Orang Asli friends - in Mentakab, Temerloh & Jerantut. In its mission statement - the objective of this humble NGO is to make a difference in many many lives regardless of race, religion, culture & political beliefs. In the second half of the year 2010 - we have managed to do just that!

On Saturday, 30th October 2010 - FRIENDS OF KAPAR paid a visit to Mentakab, Pahang. 10 families were assisted with food pacakages. We also visited an Orang Asli Settlement deep in the jungle of Kuala Krau. What we saw in the Settlement was very touching. Children were running around without clothes. The lucky ones have tattered clothes on their backs. The adults were not any better. They live in huts. We felt that we were in a different civilization altogather. We contributed 20kg - rice, 5 kg - potato, 10 tins - sardines, 2 packets - 3.5kg meehoon, 2 tins - biscuits, 2 tins - 2kg tin MILO for the children's sustenance. We also distributed some biscuits, chocolates, sweets, bars of soap for each of the children.

Every Saturday at about 2pm the children in the Settlements will come togather to play games, sing songs, learn to read & write. They do these activities in a clearing in the jungle. FRIENDS OF KAPAR hopes to start a small Activity Centre - similar but in a smaller scale to that of The CNC (Kapar). The CNC (Mentakab) - Community Nurture Centre (Mentakab) - is what we plan to call it, will be a place for The Mentakab Kidz to call their own. Hopefully 2011, will see that this dream materialize.

It is also our hope to assist 30 families in Mentakab with food packages regularly. Their needs are not much different from those of The Kapar Folks. The usual packet would include - rice, meehoon, flour, sugar, salt, oil & coffee powder.

On Friday, 26th November 2010, I made a personal trip to Kota Bharu in Kelantan. There, I stayed at The Renaissance Hotel, KB. I was taken aback to see a gaily decorated Xmas tree. On that tree were hung 100 little wish cards written by poor & underprivileged children requesting for back-to-school items. I collected 64 of these cards and brought them back to KL. Within 10 days, with the help of Volunteers, we bought the requested items, packed them individually and couriered them to The Renaissance Hotel to be distributed to these children when school reopens in 2011. I wish to record a special "Thank You" to Mr. Lee of Expressway who had taken great length in collecting these items, packing them and sending them safely to Kota Bharu without charging a single sen! Thank You So Much, Mr. Lee for making a difference to these 64 children. You have ensured that they are able to start the school year on the right foot!

FRIENDS OF KAPAR - without realizing and unconciously - has manged to make a difference in all walks of lives. We have fulfilled our mission and most importantly we have covered a cross section of the Malaysian Society, regardless of race, religion, culture & political beliefs.

This we hope will continue in 2011.......