Rumah Shalom – Charity Visit 26 Jan 2008

Chinese New Year is coming up and what better way than to spread some love and joy to the less priviledged?

The initiators of our first ever charity outing as a group, were by Lisa and Pooi Fong. Thanks to them for initiating the idea and the rest of us who so gamely followed their lead, I would have to say our visit to Rumah Shalom on the Saturday evening of 26 Jan 2008 proved to be a meaningful event which left the volunteers, participants and orphans with a big smile on their face.

The arrangement for this visit was brought into the picture about 3 weeks prior to event date. It’s amazing how things fell into place and how generous some people are in terms of their contributions, either in cash or time or both! We managed to collect approximately RM3K+ in funds (May Lee was the Treasurer!), of which we used half of it for this particular charity event. The rest of the funds will be used for other charity purposes in which the group sees fit. Perhaps we might even visit this particular house again next year, as the kids were simply adorable and a fun group to hangout with.

Financial contributions enabled us to buy toiletries, stationaries, snacks, toys, Board games, gifts and prizes for the children. Some also donated toys, medicine, etc. We even packed a CNY-themed goody bags for them, with mandarin oranges and fortune cookies in them!! All the items provided are aimed at either providing a better sense of living, promoting closeness and working and playing together and most importantly to know that the society in general is wishing them well and is looking out for them. They also learn that married Chinese couples are the only ones that can give away ang pows!!! 

Our group arrived at the home at approx 5:45 pm (after the kids’ afternoon nap) and were greeted with them sitting obediently on the floor of the living room and welcoming us as we walked into the house with the goodies. I myself was very impressed with how well-behaved they are and I could tell that they really enjoyed people visiting them at their home. Their welcome made us feel right at home, treating us as one of them rather than a stranger to their home. We were literally “brothers and sisters”.

Soon after arriving and settling down, we introduced ourselves to the kids and they inturn introduced themselves to us. All the 15 volunteers (as listed below),

• Adrian & May Lee
• Jestine Yap & Eric Lee
• Joyce Khor
• KC Wong
• Lisa Soo
• Lok Pooi Fong
• Madam Cheah
• Melissa & Andrew
• Shereen Tan
• Soo Wai
• Sue San
• Voonie Lai

wore name tags so that the kids can identify us easily. We also made name tags for the kids! First we distributed some snacks for them, and we went on with some light quizzies of mathematical puzzles (what’s [7x3]+2 ?) and general questions like how many male volunteers were there (Ans: 4 – KC, Andrew, Eric and myself), and a host of other questions. Each correct answer provided the kid with a welcoming prize.

Soon after, the sun was going down and it was time for everyone to go outdoor for the games session, organised by Voonie, Joyce & Sue San. All volunteers went over to the field opposite Rumah Shalom, and facilitated the games for the kids while May Lee, Pooi Fong and myself went off to collect KFC from Puchong Tesco. The drive to Tesco from the home wasn’t too far and it was uneventful (especially when the others are having fun at the filed, oh well…).. however we did have the KFC Restaurant Manager tell us to come back again tomorrow with the same order (45 boxes of KFC set meals…. I don’t think so!!!).

Anyway meanwhile, the games went well and it was again amazing that the kids didn’t run helter skelter! All the volunteers did an amazing job in controlling them to say the least. I have trouble controlling just two of my nephews…. not to mention they had to control 26 of them within an outdoor environment! The games allowed some of the volunteers to bond closer with the kids as they formed into groups to play some of the games like (carrying ping pong balls on plates, shave the balloon & etc). Many prizes were again given to the different teams which participated in the games. I think the kids truly enjoyed the outing and games at the field, cos as soon after we arrived back home with the food, we saw them coming back to the house with big grins on their faces and hugging the prized possesion closed to them.

Next, they were told dinner was ready and waiting for them and they led themselves into an orderly line led by a young boy as monitor, who ensured everyone kept in line and made their way to wash their hands before sitting themselves down at the table. After saying their grace and prayers, everyone then began to eat their KFC together!! Needless to say, they enjoyed the food but we have this funny feeling that like most kids, the love the soft drinks the most! From Coke to Sprite to Ice Cream Soda to Sarsi to Root Beer to Mirinda Strawberry………….. they all wanted 2nd, 3rd, 4th helpings to the drinks. Luckily Jestine, Eric, KC and Lisa managed to get more drinks from the nearby shops just in time before the supply ran dry. Thank you to the volunteers for this quick thinking, and adding on to the list of contributions!

Since everyone was so full, we thought that we would play a few games. This was mainly only for the kids who have nt won any prizes yet! May Lee led this session and came up with a few games such as ‘DO THE OPPOSITE’ (where kids need to STAND, when asked to SIT), as well as questions like ‘WHAT IS THE DATE TODAY!?’. Again, the kids were so so excited….. We even asked the kids to ‘BRING ME A MALE VOLUNTEER’S NAME TAG!!’, and it was so fun to see the kids rushing to get them!

Next, it was time for the distribution of the goodie bags to the children. Each goodie bag consisted of 2 erasers, a pencil, a pen, a cute ‘Winnie The Pooh’ notepad, 1 pencil sharpener, a tooth brush, two mandarin oranges, fortune cookies and a keychain all neatly packed into bright red bags sponsored by Lisa. This definitely matched our theme color of Red / White set for the occassion (Pssttt… all volunteers were REQUESTED to wear white or red!) We also presented to the home the following toys / games – TWISTER, 59 Board Games, 2 basketballs, a ring toss game, a frisbee and a radio-controlled helicopter!!

 

Finally came the ang pow session which saw each kid working for his/her money! We were treated to a talent show put on by each individual child. Needless to say, they were not shy to strut their stuff, which consisted of singing, dribbling basket ball, kung-fu routine, breakdancing, Michael Jackson dance routine & etc. There were much laughters which filled the entire house and again, everyone truly enjoyed themselves and we definitely saw potential in these kids which I believe will grow up to be responsible citizens contributing back to society in no time at all.

By the end of the ang pow and talent show session, most of the kids were already tired. Their normal sleeping time is 10 pm and though it had been a hot and sweaty occassion, the kids were still very enthusiatic when it was time for us to leave. They thanked us for visiting and even asked us for our namecards for them to keep as memory. How sweet is that? We left Rumah Shalom at around 8.45 pm.

The house had approx 26 kids (girls and boys have 2 separate homes), with Brother Ruben & Nathaniel (being the eldest and son of the founder of the home) looking after the kids along with sister Elaine and sister Mani who must have the most patience when it comes to showering the kids with constant love day after day.

We were definitely happy to have visited the home and were glad to be able to spend some time with the kids. I’m sure some of us miss the kids … afterall how can you not when they are so adorable and full of zest?! Kids will be kids and I’m sure they’ll grow to be responsible adults under the special care provided by Rumah Shalom (Peaceful Home).

A little history goes a long way….

Rumah Shalom is a home for underprivileged children who come from broken families, many of them emotionally and physically abused. The home was established in 1997 with two children then.

Until today, their aim is for all children to be given the opportunity of a basic education regardless of their background, so that they can grow up to be responsible citizens. The home endeavour to provide parental care and education, teaching them self-worth to lead a productive life.

Today, Rumah Shalom needs to buy their own property because in the last 9 years of existence, they have moved from place to place due to tenancy problems as owners had opted to sell off their properties to take profit.

Some 180 needy children have passed through Rumah Shalom and some are doing well in life. And they believe it is time they buy a permanent home for these destitute children so as to provide them a more tangible program for their future.

Their current premise at No. 1 Jalan Teong 5, Bandar Puchong Jaya 47100 Puchong is up for sale for RM400,000. The owner is charitable enough and is willing to sell it below the market value. The building comes with four large rooms and three bathrooms. The built up area is 20 x 75 feet with an additional land area of about 3, 000 square feet.

This property is ideal for Rumah Shalom due to the following factors:

• Spacious corner lot with 4 large rooms
• Ample land in case for future extension
• Beautiful playground in front
• School is within walking distance for the children
• Ample parking space for visitors. There were occasions when as many as 120
  visitors called on the home at one time!
• Good location & easily accessible to visitors
• The back portion of the building has already been renovated into a dining
  hall
• The house was recently properly fenced up by a social group

Special Thanks goes out to the organisers, contributors and volunteers of this special visit: Adrian & May Lee, Chan Siew Yin, Chiam Su Wooi, CK, Dan Ting Lip, Huey Ching, Jean Wong, Jestine Yap & Eric Lee, Jonas, Joyce Khor, Katherine Mah, KC Wong, Lisa Soo, Loi Kok Mun, Lok Pooi Fong, Lyn Chai, Madam Cheah & nephew, Melissa & Andrew, Michelle & family, Ooi Pei Yeen, Shereen Tan, Soo Wai, Sue San, Mr & Mrs Tan Kuan Yew, TJ Liaw, Voonie Lai and Yeo Kian Ann.

To see more pictures of this special charity visit, please View Photo Gallery