OCTOBER 31 ― Many orphanages and children’s shelters across the country benefit from the contributions of individuals and the private sector — some entirely on such sources if they do not receive resources from the government or come under the purview of a religious institution. It’s not always cash of course: on many occasions volunteers create innovative ways to transmit values and skills to children through immersive interactive experiences. I have been fortunate to have been welcomed to participate in or be a witness at some of these sessions, but the latest one was particularly memorable.
It took place at Rumah Tunas Harapan Payung Seri Sejahtera, an orphanage in Seri Menanti, Negri Sembilan, that consists in typical fashion of an accommodation block and a library-cum-classroom (most of the home’s 17 children, aged between six and 17, attend the nearby SMK Tunku Besar Burhanuddin).
The children enjoyed a well-thought out programme in mid-October that brought together elements that would normally be tremendously beneficial alone, but in combination, produced a powerful format well worth the attention of other volunteers and educators.
First, there was a musical element: four music teachers were there armed with two keyboards, three ukuleles, tambourines, castanets and triangles (all generously loaned by Ammonite Music) to give these children their first ever music lesson. The lead teacher himself has an inspiring story of dedication: as a kid he travelled weekly from Kuala Pilah to Malacca to continue music lessons after his teacher relocated.
Then, there was a speech and drama workshop, provided by BluBricks, an entity that “strives to empower students with the confidence to be self-leaders and future-shapers through encouraging an inquisitive mindset and developing necessary communicative and performing skills”.
The children were given lines to memorise and deliver as well as scenes to act: there was reticence in the morning but by the afternoon, the two volunteers had managed to spark unbridled enthusiasm.
Here’s the special bit: these music, speech and drama components came together to create a performance whose main theme also served to educate the children on another topic — the spread of malaria.
Of course malaria isn’t a big problem in most of Malaysia anymore, but it is still widespread in parts of Africa (although for the time being the Ebola outbreak has diverted attention and resources, causing one malaria control expert to fear a setback in the fight against malaria — incidentally the early symptoms of both can be similar). And so, touching basic medicine and geography, the children learnt about how the disease was transmitted and how to prevent it. Of course, the same format could be applied to learning about a whole host of other things that could benefit from being complemented with a dose of performing arts. The programme was organised by H Petaling Hawk Rover Crew of the Scouts Association of Malaysia under the leadership of its crew chairman Shawn Augustin, whose wife Bernadette also served as vice-chairman.
I was never a scout, but my best friend was, though my admiration of his uniform and ever-growing collection of badges did not overcome my aversion of the outdoors.
The movement has a long history in Malaysia (starting in Penang in 1908) and the association has been regulated by an Act of Parliament since 1968 — surely a unique feature compared to other patriotic youth movements and service organisations. I am told that Rovers nonetheless don’t have to be scouts (but are governed by the same association), and they continue to be active across the country, making meaningful (but little-trumpeted) contributions to local communities.
I was surprised to learn the Rovers were so committed to this home that this was, in fact, their third initiative in support of it. Their first visit was some years back, to donate clothes, sports and educational equipment.
With their second trip came H1N1 vaccinations and the planting of fruit trees at the home’s compound.
After this third visit it is clear that a strong (and yet unlikely) relationship has been formed between this bunch of urbanites from different ethnic and religious backgrounds and this small rural community — and I’m glad to hear that follow-up sessions are being planned so that the experience isn’t a mere one-off, which unfortunately does sometimes happen in cases where volunteer enthusiasm can dissipate.
As I thanked the Rovers and volunteers and congratulated the children, I realised that this is the best way that a sense of shared citizenship and unity can be forged: voluntary relationships coming into being with no coercion or incentives from others — but most importantly, with no sense of bitterness at the failures of others to achieve the same thing.
*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
