The Shamsuls of Kg. Paya Dalam

Above : The Shamsuls of Kg. Paya Dalam - The children are so camera shy that it is practiaclly impossible to get any "good" shots of these Family.

 On Sat, 29/ 9/ 2012 – after my Jungle Mission, I also stopped by at Kg. Paya Dalam, Temerloh – visiting Shamsul and his family of 9 children. I first met Shamsul’s Family during Ramadhan Feeding Prog, way back in Juune/ July 2012, and again in Aug – during the Syawal Feeding Prog.

The poverty which engulfed this Family is beyond belief. They have 5 school-going children, the remainder 4 are merely toddlers and babe in the arms.

Shamsul works very, very hard for his Family but with 9 + 2 mouths to feed ….. I guess his effort is unending!

I brought a big Food Parcel consisting of amongst other things - 10kg x 2 bags of rice, 1 big packet of meehoon, 5kg oil, medicine supply from the newly established Project MADE Tabung Ubat. I hope these would sustain this Family, at least for this month.

Before I left – his 11 year old daughter asked for a pair of track bottom for next year. I promised to come back and bring some school uniforms for the school-going children - including them under our Back to School Prog 2013.

 

 

Why do I feel that I have not done enough for these children…..?

The Firdaus Story....

On Sat, 29/ 9/ 2012 – after my Jungle Mission, I stopped by at Firdaus’, in Temerloh. I brought 2 packets of Adult diapers and 2 tins of Ensure FOS. Both items were contributed by Puan Noorina of Shah Alam.

This was not the first time I visited Firdaus – but after every visit – I cannot help feeling sad and helpless. Looking at this young boy lying in bed without being able to move his limbs feel me with a mixture of sadness, hopelessness, desperation, frustration… not knowing what more I could do to give this young man some dignity and comfort.

His twisted limbs and thin wasted body reeking with the stale smell of urine is just so overwhelming. I can't help but wonder what would happen to him if his mom is not around anymore to care for him. Would his siblings – a sister and a brother – be able to take care of him? If not, then what…..?

I feel so small and helpless. GOD - You are Almighty...  

Jungle Mission : Kuala Krau & Kuala Cheh



The AmazingTeam from FoV - Friends of the MahaVihara, Brickfields

On Sat, 29/ 9/ 2012 – a Jungle Mission was carried out. This huge project is a collaboration between Project MADE and Friends of the Maha Vihara, Brickfields (FoV).

 

After a lengthy discussion over a period of time, this project finally took place with much anxiety and trepidation on both parties - Coordinators of PM and FoV, that is - as we both knew the risk involving projects with the Org. Asal Communities.

Distance, communication, time concept are all alien to the Org. Asal Communities. Time is not measured by the clock as they don’t own one so this is quite an issue! Logistics was also an issue which posed to be a headache for both PM and FoV. Somehow, we both just managed......

Above: The Generous & Bountiful Food Parcel : Rice 20kg, Oil 5kg, medical supply, tolitries, detergents, beverage, food items - a whopping 30 items altogether!

17 vehicles from FoV entered the Org. Asal Villages, namely, Kg. Pasu, Kg. Pian and Kg. Terboi – in Kuala Krau and Kuala Cheh, respectively. We actually drove very deep in the jungle in order to reach these villages. It was quite a spectacle as not many NGOs would come deep into the jungle to bring food aid except for the odd 1 OR 2 Christian Missionaries. Even - they do not come bearing food items for these poor folks.

FoV brought Food Parcels for 100 Families. They brought, rice, sugar, oil, dried food items, canned food, toiletries, detergent, medical supply, beverages, clothes and a few luxury items – biscuits, fizzy drinks etc.

 

Apart from that, there was also milk powder for the younger children and a much cherished 300 Goodie Bags to 300 children.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pix Above: FoV Team hard at work - with much sincerity, cheerfulness & camaraderie. Project MADE stood around looking with amazement & wonderment. The weather was hot, dry and still.

The FoV Team worked swiftly and efficiently. By 1:30pm –the whole Feeding Operation was concluded. Everyone went home happy. The Families and children happily scooted to their homes each sagging with the sheer weight of the Food Parcels.  

 

                                     

Pix Above : The folks from Kg. Pasu, Kg. Pian & Kg. Terboi - in Kuala Krau & Kuala Cheh - we went deep into the heartland of Org. Asal Villages - at the foot of Mount Tahan.

 

The recipient Families were quite overwhelmed by the size of the Food Parcel – they have NEVER been given that much food items.

       

                                     

Pix Above : There were 21 boxes of infant, children, ladies & men's clothes - all in good wearable condition. Some new underclothes were also distributed. The Clothes Bank went very, very well with the Org. Asal Communities we visited. They were eargerly snapped up by our Folks.

 

 

Pix Above: 300 children were each given aGoodie Bag consisting of stationery & sweeties, buns, drinks .... note the smile on each child. Some were beyond believe on such good fortune.

 

Pix Above: A fraction of the Folks in Kg. Pasu. Kuala Krau

Looking at the Org. Asal Folks, it is obvious they are very much in need of help, as they are basically hunters and gatherers. The clothes on their backs are dirty and have seen better times. The children are mostly grubby and are NOT in school as the distance to the nearest school is overwhelming. There is no electricity. Water is supplied by the river which runs through the villages. It is known that they CANNOT afford to eat rice as it is NOT affordable. Rice is usually mix with maize, tapioca, yam or sweet potato. Fish will only be eaten if they can be caught from the river. Meat is a luxury and is available if a hunting spell is successful. Meat is usually either wild boar, squirrel, chikah (a small primate) and the likes.

Above : Habitat most common in the villages

 

Pix Above : The beautiful & pristine river that runs through the Villages

 

To our Sister NGO - Friends of the Maha Vihara, Brickfields – Thank you for making a difference! On behalf of our Feeding Families , Project MADE is indebted to you for such generous and sincere deeds.

You have made a huge difference to the Org. Asal Folks in Kg. Pasu, Kg. Pian and Kg. Terboi…… Terima Kasih!!