Saturday, 6th November 2010
Thank You So Much to our very generous Donors for making The Light of Cheer 2010 - A Deepavali Feeding Program : a great success! Our grateful thanks to the following:
1. Inner Wheel Club of KL North / IWCKL North (fresh food for 40 families)
2. Premium Nutrients Bhd. - Premium Vegetable Oil S/B : Mdm. Loheswary:
PVO's 1st Lady, Mdm. Karpana Tan Sri Somasundram, Mr. A. T. Abraham
(dried & fresh food items for 30 families)
3. SHELL (Malaysia) - Puan Mariani Ibrahim: SHELL's 1st Lady, Ayisha,
Mark, Guna, Elsie, Vasanthi (food items for 80 families, 180 sarongs &
120 pairs sandals)
4. Mr. Patrick Thevarajah, SEERS Partnership (160 kg lamb/ mutton)
5. NESTLE - En. Izham & En. Mokhtar of MAGGI (160 disposable bags)
6. All Malaysia Malayalee Association/ AMMA - Mdm. Valsala Rajaram (dried food items for 50 families & fresh food items for 10 families)
7. Selangor & Federal Territory Malayalee Association/ SFTMA (30 pkts MILO)
8. Ms. Monica Chong & Friends - Segaran, Jerry Chan, Jennifer Chong, Louis,
Noor Denni (80 bags of 5kg rice)
9. Mr. Siva & Friends - cash contributions
10. Mr. Dhaffe, Legal Dept. Nestle - cash contributions
11. Zaidi & Cynthia
12. Mr. Chandran Thambirajah -
cash contributions
13. Ms. Joanne Oei - cash contributions
13. Mr. Devan Selvadurai - cash contributions
14. Ms. Jaime Teoh (Milk 123)
15. Mr. & Mrs. Ng - Kim Guan & Chern (Infant Formula)
16. Mr. Patrick (Infant Formula)
17. Sri Narayani Foundation/ SNF - Mr. Maniam, Mr. Wasudevan & Family (80 loaves bread)
18. Mr. Peter, SEERS Partnership
19. Chef Bob, SEERS Partnership
These pictures were taken on Tuesday, 2nd & Wednesday, 3rd November 2010 - Distribution Days for The Light of Cheer 2010 : A Deepavali Feeding. These pictures speak volumes. ALL of you have touched so many lives. Bringing the Light of Cheer to many, many folks who have so little to look forward to in their lives. Your assistance & contributions have made their Deepavali definitely DIFFERENT!!. Thank You for Making a Difference!!
Saturday, 6th November 2010The Build-up towards Deepavali.This year, Deepavali, was celebrated on Friday, 5th November 2010. All over the country, our Hindu & Indian friends welcomed this Festival of Light eagerly.Kapar Folks were no different. They may be poor but they still looked forward to Deepavali. We, at FRIENDS OF KAPAR worked very, very hard to ensure that Deepavali this year, could be celebrated cheerfully by our Families. Many people were involved in this excercise. Current & past families assisted by FRIENDS OF KAPAR were enlisted into The Deepavali Feeding List. As there were allocation for 80 Families, we added more families into the List so that the cheer could be spread around wider and to many more needy and poor families. The potential families were introduced, visited & interviewed before they were asked to come for registration at THE CNC. At The CNC, they were registered and were issued a coupon to collect their food packages on the respective days. Registration went smoothly. Thank You to our Tutors - Mdm. Josephine, Ms. Barni & Ms. Prabha - who helped in the registration excercise.
Preparation towards Deepavali started very, very early. We started the mechanism of preparation & planning as early as in the month of July. Potential & interested Donors were contacted. Meetings & presentations were arranged. Pledges were made. In October, the food items were finalized. By mid-October, orders & purchases for the food items were made. I really could not have done this excercise without the support of Ms. Norisah A. Rahman aka Liza as she is fondly refered to - a Store Manager with Speed 99 Convenience Store in Cova Square. She helped in the organising of the purchasing & ordering of the food items. This small statured young lady is a gem. She ensured that orders were fulfilled within the stipulated time. Some items were not available even after being ordered from Speed 99 Warehouse. Eventhough she was very, very busy, she took the time to drive with me around ALL Speed 99 Convenience Stores in Kota Damansara and personally purchased the required items, portion by portion until the quota was met! I will be writing to Speed 99 S/B informing them of her extra special services towards FRIENDS OF KAPAR.By the third week of October all food items in the List were safely purchased and waiting, ready to be packed. 80 fresh chickens were also ordered from CP Chicken Shop, Uptown, Damansara. Instructions were given to ensure that the chicken were deep frozen and ready to be picked up on the respective Distribution Days.They opened especially early - 7:00am for FRIENDS OF KAPAR. Thank You So Much, Ain & Team.
On Sunday, 17th October 2010, FRIENDS OF KAPAR took The Kapar Kidz shopping to buy them a pair of sandals each. Out of the 150 children on our List, 120 children came on that day. They were taken to Pusat Pakaian Ekonomi VICTORIA : 31-33, Jln. Besar, Kapar. As there were so many of them, we had to divide these children into a group of 10 accompanied by 2 Minders at any one time. The children were delighted! Thank you to our Tutors & Volunteers at C3 - for organising the children. Thank you also to Mr. BK Chia for the generous discounts.On the following Sunday - 24th October 2010, new tee-shirts were distributed. The Kapar Kidz @ The CNC were given priority. Sarees as well as Shalwar Kameez were also given out to the Mommies of Kapar. There were happy faces all around!On Friday, 22nd October 2010 - we went to The Chow Kit Wet Market and ordered the fresh vegetables. These were to be collected a week later, just prior to the actual Deepavali Feeding Day.
From 25th - 27th October, the dried food items were packed. There were 160 bags of food items and these were distributed to 80 Families. On 31st October, half of these bags were transported to The CNC - which became a Distribution Centre. On that same day too, coupons were distributed to 42 poor & underprivileged families. These families were chosen based on the their very low income as well as income per kapita. That night - we went to The Chow Kit Wet market to collect the fresh vegetables. We bought 80kg brinjals, 80kg carrots, 80kg potatoes, 80 heads cabbage.
On Monday, 1st November & Tuesday 2nd November, 2010 - the fresh vegetables were packed. Zaidi & Cynthia came to help, after work. In fact, they came on both Monday night as well as on Tuesday night, just to help in the packing of the fesh vegetables and fruits, as these had to be done at the last minute. Thank You, Zaidi & Cynthia - you took the effort to pack even though you were so dead tired after work. I really, really appreciate your assistance.
As there were 80 families - the Deepavali Feeding had to be spread out into 2 days, ie. 40 families on Tuesday, 2nd November & another 40 families on Wednesday, 3rd November 2010. In the morning from 9:30am to 12:30 noon - food packages were distributed to 20 families. After Lunch, the food packages were distributed from The CNC. 21 families came on each of the 2 days. FRIENDS OF KAPAR organised a lunch of very delicious Nasi Lemak & Chicken Rendang for the Donors & Volunteers on that day. Thank You Nasi Lemak Achi. It was yummy!
Each family received 2 bags of dried goods consisting of dhall, 2 packets curry powder,1kg sugar, MILO, fruit cordial, cooking oil, 1 kg flour, a big tin of biscuits, 2 cans sardines, fruit jam, Nescafe, jelly, 1 whole chicken, 2kg lamb, 1 head cabbage, 1 kg carrots, 1 kg brinjal, 1 kg potatoes, fresh juicy apples, 5kg rice. The little children were given tubes of Smarties, the Mommies of Kapar were given a batik sarong each. Some of the old men were given a sarong each. The 5 handicapped children of Kapar were also given a new set of clothing. The babies were provided with milk powder and where necessary a pack of disposable diapers. All in all there were something for everybody! 
Saturday, 23rd October 2010
The Kapar Kidz were hosted today at The National Science Centre by the Staffs of SHELL Downstream IT. The organizing of this special trip was tediously and carefully planned by a group of committee members. Plans were made way back in June 2010.
A total of 77 children from the ages of 7 to 17 years old and 5 Minders plus 3 Assistant Minders came in three buses.
The day started very early for The Kapar Kidz, they were taken from their homes by The FoK Shuttle to The CNC, as early as 6:30am. Once at The CNC - attendance were taken, and they were given a very bright & cheerful apple green t-shirt with SHELL & FRIENDS OF KAPAR logos. The t-shirt is actually the passport for The Kapar Kidz to board the buses to The National Science Centre.
The children were divided into 3 groups and they boarded their respective buses with their minders. On the buses, they were excited and chatted nine to the dozen anticipating the trip. They arrived at The National Science Centre at 8:45am. After a short regrouping and briefing at the car park, they were taken into the hall.
A short safety briefing were given and breakfast was served. Breakfast was a scrumptious meal of fried meehoon, nuggets & hot MILO drink. The children tucked into breakfast heartily.
After breakfast, they were divided into 10 groups. Each group had three adult Minders from SHELL and one from FoK. The children happily & easily bonded with their SHELL Minders. They were tasked to a Treasure Hunt.
After a while, screams of joys were heard when one by one of the groups came in to hand over their "treasures". Before lunch was served the children played with their SHELL Benefactors and some even showcased their newly acquired dance skills.
Lunch was fried rice, fried chicken, chippolatas, potato wedgies & iced cold MILO. The children sat and enjoyed their food. Right after lunch they were taken to watch the Science Show. That was when they discovered Science.
When the show ended, they were taken back into the hall for tea. Tea was cake & MILO drink. After tea was the Prize Giving Ceremony. There were whoops of joy, upon receiving the most generous prizes, presents & goodie bags.
The event was graced by Ms. Alicia Choong, Vice President of Global ERP, Downstream IT, SHELL Malaysia, Sdn. Bhd. The Kapar Kidz said a big huge thank you by presenting SHELL Downstream IT with FoK orange T-Shirt, a Thank You card signed by ALL The Kapar Kidz & Minders, a hand printed banner made by the children and a small hand-drawn picture.
SHELL Downstream IT had been very kind by contributing generously some cash towards The FoK Fund. The day ended at 4:00pm with a group photo.
The children were tired but happy as a flock of geese! (They couldn't stop talking about their outing!)
Thank You SHELL Downstream IT for Making a Difference!!
Monday, 4th October 2010
FRIENDS OF KAPAR received a donation from Ms. Nor Azura Ahmad - Thank you so much, Azura.
Thank you too, to Datin Valsala Rajaram & friend for the bags of clothes, which I will be carrying to Mentakab in a few days' time.
FRIENDS OF KAPAR received 2 boxes of Fern Leaf Milk Powder, from a dear friend of mine, Liz Low. These will be shared between Kapar Kidz & Mentakab Kidz. Thank you, you took the trouble to drive all the way from Cheras to Damansara, just to deliver the milk powder.
We couldn't have done it without your contributions. Cheers, cheers & cheers!
Saturday, 25th September 2010
Feeding started early today. After a breakfast of roti canai & teh tarik, Shah (The MOTH - Man of the House), Eva (The Official Photographer), Dr. Sue from Melbourne and yours truly, drove into Kapar.
As usual our Contact Person - Mageson (Pastor Mageson, now) waited for us in his trusted burnish red van. With him he brought The Kapar Boyz - Thamotharan, Kaviyarasu and Logeswaran.
Feeding this time was slightly different as today we drove in The Monster. It was great, as we had more space in the car as well as to carry stuffs.
We went the usual routes, visited the usual group of families. However, we added 2 new Families, as we had taken out 3 Families.
In our Grocery Bag this month were rice, meehoon, flour, sugar, salt, oil, dhall, a box of Maggi Instant Noodles, Vico Chocolate Drink Powder and biscuits. For the handicapped, the infirmed, the old folks, lactating moms and infants we brought disposable diapers, milk powder,infant formula, Nestum, Oats and health supplements.
Last month we featured Surya - a 10 year old handicapped boy. He was pictured sitting on a baby pram. IWC KL North initiated by Liz Low donated a children's wheel chair and this was passed to Surya.
We also visited Muniamma who is in our Micro Finance Program. Her jasmine farm is doing alright. She has started selling her flowers already. Not that much but it is a start. We have not recouped our capital yet, but maybe next year. Check out the farm.....
Saturday 2nd October 2010.
Wah.....it has been a while since I visited the Blog. Sorry! With Raya mood swinging and all those ketupat & rendang - well it was a tough decision!
No, no & no is the answer to all you folks who think that FRIENDS OF KAPAR had been idle. On the contrary my friends, we have been busy. And I just love the activities even though sometimes I feel like I am running after my own tail.
Let me try to fill you in:
Thursday, 9th Sept. - I took leave to cook all those rendang & ketupat and running around doing the usual Raya chores.
Friday, 10th Sept. - Raya! Hooray! I thought I was too old for Raya but somehow I got excited and exhausted at the same time with the Raya spirits!
Saturday, 11th September - Recuperation!
Sunday, 12th Sept.- went to Kapar to visit The CNC & Kapar Kidz, brought some kueh raya for them. We also did some enrolment excercise of The Kapar Kidz at The CNC. This was for the purpose of The National Science Centre Trip to be held on Saturday, 23rd October 2010 as well as The Back to School Program 2011. There was plenty of work to be done.
The enrolment excercise took many, many days to complete. It was made more difficult since we only get to see the children on Tues, Wed & Sun - being tuition days. Some of these children are able to come on Sundays only. So...it was quite a challenge! Anyhow...we've completed it. We now have a COMPLETE data of The Kapar Kidz in The CNC! Yeay! Hip! Hip! Hooray! Headache GONE!!!
Week beginning Monday 20th Sept. to Saturday, 25th Sept.
A relatively busy week (but manageable), as it was the week prior to Feeding. The earlier part of the week was filled with shopping, collecting items and money from our regular and very, very generous donors. Thank you so much everyone! Chern & Kim Guan, Mr. Siva & Friends, Puan Siti Haja Teh & Family, Patrick & Collin - you folks are ANGELS!
Thursday, 23rd Sept. - packing of items with Volunteers. Thank you, Cynthia for taking time off in the evening after work just to help me pack.
Friday, 24th Sept. - Joseph, our Contact Person in Kuala Selangor & Tanjung Karang came over for a short meeting and briefing. He also collected the food packages for our families.
Saturday, 25th Sept. - September Feeding. We had a Visitor - Dr. Sue from Melbourne accompanying us on the Feeding Rounds. More on that later....
Week begininng Monday, 7th Sept. to Saturday, 2nd Oct.
A relatively quiet week however.....
Tuesday, 28th Sept. - Visited Kapar with StArt Society. Joshua - Director of StArt & Rachel - Program Coordinator visited The Kapar Kidz at the dance studio - The Dance Point. The group of girls doing belly dancing seems to have improved - they are not so inhibited anymore. The boys apparently are good at both hip hop & street dancing! As for me I am as happy as a goose....to see my children flourishing!
Wednesday, 29th Sept. - Met Mr.BL Tan for a breakfast "pow wow" of roti canai & teh tarik at Kayu, Dataran Prima. Not that kind of "pow wow" - more like BL motivating and encouraging me. I am so grateful to this distinguished gentleman who always has the time & the ear for me. Thank you, Mr. Tan, if it had not been for you - I would have probably been burned out long time ago. Mr. Tan also passed me a bag of books from another kind donor.
The rest of the week was filled with administrative work at my Work Station. I had so much to do that I sat at my Work Station until 2:30am every day!
Saturday, 6th November 2010
