Tuesday 31 July 2007

MONFORT YOUTH TRAINING CENTRE (MYTC) SABAH

I received a letter from Sabah Monfort Youth Training Centre - (MYTC) recently. MYTC is a branch from Monfort Boys Town - (MBT) Shah Alam, Selangor. I thought this time I should do something to help our fellow countrymen in East Malaysia.

MYTC is set up for the less fortunate youth, especially those in the rural and interior areas that are being left out in the main stream of education and other opportunities.

Those who wish to be admitted for a straight two years residential course must be from poor and needy families, age between 16 to 19 years old.

MYTC is accredited to Jabatan Pembangunan Kemahiran (Department of Skills Development) and the courses offered are:

1. Automotive Mechanics - Students are taught how to carry out general service, maintenance and repair of petrol and diesel engines. They also learn to detect and trouble-shoot the faults in various systems and components of a motor vehicle.

2. Carpentry - Students are trained in basic, as well as advance skills in furniture-making using both hand tools and wood working machine.

3. Welding - Students are trained in Arc-welding and various Gas-welding techniques.


4. Computer Maintenance and Graphic Design & Multimedia.


The objectives of MYTC are:

1. To provide industrial skills training and general education. (English Language and Computer Knowledge)

2. To provide residential care and promote holistic development.

3. To empower Youth to realise their full potentials.


MYTC is doing its share to produce literate and ethical youth with high morals. MYTC is established for the underprivileged youth who have no where to turn to for their hidden potentials to bloom. Armed with technical skills and character building training upon graduation, MYTC youth are geared up for thriving employment and good citizen.

With the press reporting daily of our youth frittering their time away by taking drugs, ecstasy pills, smoking ganja and contributing the number of "Mat Rempit" (hell riders) on the roads, why not we suggest sending those fitting ones into places like MYTC to produce a healthier and dynamic bunch of Malaysians?

In view of the increasing number of students every year, Monfort Youth Training Centre needs your help to realise their new campus at Kinarut, Papar District at a cost of RM1.5 million. For the sake of our youth and the good of the family and society, please do donate generously.

All donation cheques should be made payable to "Montfort Youth Training Centre". You can either mail donation to:

The Director
Montfort Youth Training Centre
P.O. Box 612
89507 Penampang, Sabah
Contact: Bro Francis Chua, s.g,
Tel: 6088-721053, 6088-715391 Fax: 6088-721054

OR


You can directly bank-in/credit your donation to the Centre's Bank Account at ALLIANCE BANK A/C No.: 101-2300-1001-8719

Please note that all donations are TAX EXEMPTED under Malaysian tax law
vide Section 44(6), Income Tax Act 1967
Ref: LHDN.01/35/42.51/179-6.4924
Warta Kerajaan No.5879 dd.08.05.2003

"Those Whom The World Neglects, Must Move You The Most" - St Louis Marie de Montfort


Friday 27 July 2007

ECHO OF THE UNIVERSE



There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
And it's time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone, somewhere will soon make a change
We're all a part of God's great big family
And the truth, you know,love is all we need

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

Send them your heart
So they'll know that someone cares
And their lives will be stronger and free
As God has shown us by turning stones to bread
and so we all must lend a helping hand

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

When you're down and out, there seems no hope at all
But if you just believe there's no way we can fall
Well, well, well, well let us realize oh! that a change can only come
When we stand together as one

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let's start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me


We are the world
(are the world)
We are the children
(are the children)
We are the ones who'll make a brighter day so lets start giving
(so let's start giving)
There's a choice we're makin'
We're savin' our own lives
It's true we'll make a brighter day, just you and me


~ Song by Michael Jackson and various artists

Tuesday 24 July 2007

A Test from GOD

Since the day I fell down, things started to go off track. I can't stop myself from thinking if 22nd July is a good day for the charity drive? Our plan to visit The Taman Megah Handicapped and Disabled Children’s Home and The Handicapped and Disabled Children's Association of Klang was rescheduled once to suit our participants' timing and the idea of rescheduling for the second time does not reflect good on us as the homes too have other visitors to confirm and receive as well.

Little Valerie had fever two days after the fall together with me. Villi had the flu bug coming back from school. Went to the doctor on Saturday afternoon, it was closed for the day! Some of the participants dropped out due to unexpected circumstances that cropped out after their confirmation. The big time thunder and downpour came halfway in the afternoon while we were travelling in 8 cars visiting homes, my heart was throbbing worrying about everybody's safety. The knock down punch was my hubby, Valerie and myself "kena" Conjunctivitis (red sore eyes) after the visit ...

I was so so worried the morning before we departed. I turned up the volume of the chanting and pray to the Buddha for a smooth day and also take away the negative thoughts in me. I was hoping that my prayers can calm me down from being further paranoid. So, with a limping leg, we headed to the meeting point...

at 10.30am Sungei Rasah Toll Plaza ... fine weather


Auntie Onn, The Hair Dresser... who sacrificed a day of business in her saloon and joined us for a good cause


This is my doctor...the Chinese "Si Fu" who treated my sprained ankle. So kind of her to join us without any hesitation when heard about this activity



Good thing is the young ones are joining


Mr Morgan, The Founder of The Handicapped and Disabled Children Association of Klang is giving a welcome briefing


One part of us listening attentively to Mr Morgan



Sharing time with the kids


Remember little Hong Hong, suffering from bone cancer, holes in heart and down syndrom has put on a little weight compared to few months back and he can wave goodbye to us now


This charming little girl is too hyperactive that she got to be grounded all the times


Having lunch together with the children



The Home's chef, Malini has a sad story to tell too, her son is suffering from fluid retention in the brains and she is now two months pregnant with a husband a psychiatric patient...



Penny is busy giving away sweets to the children


They can do Macarena dance better than anyone of us, want to bet?



These are the things that we brought, the home also requested for special milk powder like Pediasure for children who cannot digest with ordinary milk formula like others


We also brought along home stitched blankets ... done by my maid, Endang


This Indonesian Maid has been with The Taman Megah Handicapped and Disabled Children's Home for 10 years now, hats off for her dedication



These children are aged between 10 to 17 years old now, their physical appearance do not reflect their age due to the illness


The physio therapists are in to give a much needed massage session


Villi caught up with these kids again whom he promised from the last visit. Shanthi, his favourite girl, can't wait to sing song with him


Steven and his family mingled well with the kids, a very educational trip for our juniors


Karin and daughter, Alvyna (sat beside her) joined in despite the heavy downpour on arrival at The Taman Megah Handicapped and Disabled Children's Home


In summary, the objective of these home visits is to raise awareness to everyone the sufferings and pain that these highly dependent children have to endure in their not very long journey in life, so that we can spare some of our time and money to care for them and do our part as a blessed normal and healthy human being on this earth, which we thank God for it.

If you have time, head over to viili's blog for his version of the visit.

Before I conclude this entry, I would like to thank my friends and relatives who have participated in this event whole heartedly. I was so touched to see the bountiful love and emotion showered unreservedly to the kids.

Your absolute involvement in this visit by giving out donation generously in both cash and kind, with or without your presence, had made this visit a great success. For this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart!


Friday 20 July 2007

PICTURE SAYS A THOUSAND WORDS

Printed Narration:
PINT OF BEER
4.50 ... 50 litres of fresh water1.50


Printed Narration:
SUNGLASSES 24 ... Access to water1.50


Printed Narration:
AFTERSHAVE 35 ... Basics for a new home6.50


Printed Narration:
HANDBAG 32 ... Food for a week 4


In the same breath, remember the worldwide mad rush lately over this designer handbag ... Sigh

"Real Riches Are Things You Have That Money Cannot Buy"
~ Author Unknown ~

Thursday 19 July 2007

UPCOMING HOME VISIT

So, this is what happened to me...


Just days before my planned charity project to visit the Handicapped and Disabled Children Centres in Klang and Taman Megah with friends and relatives, I fell down the stairs by the roadside just outside my apartment block together with my little girl. This happened yesterday morning and left me with a sprained left ankle and some bruises on my elbows and knees. Though the injuries are not serious, but they are painful enough to ground me for a day or two.

This is a crucial time to make preparation of the visits; Loads of things to buy and errants to run, and now I am a '' myself sitting on a typist chair rolling all over the place at home with a swollen ankle and bruised leg. Who else can I count on to take over the tasks? I guess you will know by now...

The only people I feel sorry are the kids at those homes whom I've promised to play games with. Looks like I have got to make some adjustments to the program. No more musical chairs and frenzy apple eating games. Auntie will make some doggies and sword balloon sculptures to compensate with that, guess all of you will like to have one, right?

So, see you guys this Sunday, 22 July 2007. I should be able to walk by then.

Wednesday 18 July 2007

BlogCatalog Community Organ Donation Awareness Campaign

I called up Ms Tee Hui Yee's father last week to find out about her latest development. Mr Tee said that she is much better now compared to a few weeks back when the infection has taken a toll on her. However, there is still no break thru on the news of the heart donor.

Since last September 2006, Hui Yi has been warded at the Institute Jantung Negara (IJN). She is surviving on an external battery operated Mechanical Heart device to keep her heart pumping. And that equipment is supposed to last for two years which means Hui Yi is racing against time.

Her name is on the top of the waiting list for an operation to take place to replace her heart. But according to Datin Dr Lela Yasmin Mansor, the co-ordinator to the National Transplant Resource Centre, there has been no heart transplant operation this year.

The first successful heart transplant in the country was done 10 years ago. Since then, there were 65 heart patients on the waiting list for suitable heart donors out of which 33 of them had lost the battle half way thru. Why are so few heart donors despite extensive awareness campaign on Organ Donation ? This question baffled me all the time.

I read about , especially the heart information over the internet very often. Trying to find a way to help Tee Hui Yi, or rather, to discover possible "miracles" with the hope that luck is on my side. From there, I have learnt that doctors only harvest organs that are free of drugs from the desired donors. Ironically, willing donors are normally patients who are drowned with high doses of prescribed drugs before they die.

In other words, hospitals and doctors are pleading with families of brain-dead accident victims to donate the organs of their loved ones. Transplant of the main organs like the heart, liver and kidney can only be carried out from brain-dead donors.

There are healthy people who have healthy organs dying from accidents everyday in Malaysia, and there are also people dying while waiting for suitable organ donors. Can the authorities please take some real and effective measures to bridge this 'gift of life' gap and help those in need of organ transplant?

This is the form to sign up for organ donation in Malaysia:


or you can log in HERE to print out one.

ORGAN DONATION, THE GIFT OF LIFE


Tuesday 17 July 2007

GOOD LUCK TO YOU MY DEAR!



So, my dearest darling girl has gone again. Vivian left this morning at 5am to catch a flight to Brisbane to start her tertiary education at the University of Queensland. This time she will be abroad for three years ... I will cry if it's not for my husband who promised me that we will all go over for a holiday to meet her next year. At least there is something for me to look forward to.

We have had a great time together during her two months vacation back home. A lot of things were discussed and shared. We joked and poked fun at each other and her laughter and giggles will fill the atmosphere. At times her presence does make the house a little noisier but at the same time a lot livelier as well and we all felt warmer with her around. My girl has grown from a little darling sweetie to become a very independent young lady now. A nature and animal lover, she aspires to be a Marine Biologist and will soon be celebrating her 21st birthday.

Remember Van, whatever you do in the future, mama will always support you all the way, ok?

Mama prays for your good health and strength in you, to overcome obstacles that chance upon you in life.

Go, go see the world and enjoy life to the fullest.

Take care and mama really misses you, Van.

One Day In Your Life ... by Michael Jackson

Wednesday 11 July 2007

Thank you Ah Pek

For the past few days I was overwhelmed by all kinds of medicine to cure my flu and the "about to come" fever...was lethargic and sickly. Got so shocked when I saw my blog was featured by "AhPek.com" last Saturday. It was indeed an honour to be chosen as the third feature blog since there were so many other worthy blogs waiting on queue. For this, I must say a BIG thank you Ah Pek for lending me a helping hand!

I must be frank to admit that my blog is not as receptive as others as the contents do not interest many. Some say you go see her blog if you have got some extra cash to spare, that hurts me a little.

I am not English educated and therefore, I can't blog fluently like many other bloggers. I poured my heart and soul into writing and sought help from some Chinese-English idiom dictionaries and Thesaurus to complete the job. A lot of tears flowed behind the scene whenever I blog because the memories of these unfortunate children will cloud my mind and wouldn't go away many days after the visits.

My hubby is my 'P.A.', he edits all my write ups and help me moderate certain articles that I can't expressively convey. Kudos to you luv.

Lastly, I thank you all who visited my blog and commented in AhPek.com; With all your encouraging words, you have spurred me on and in there, you have also sent the message of LOVE to the world!



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Tuesday 3 July 2007

Baby girl await liver transplant


One of our local Chinese dailies carried this picture of a baby girl with her crying mother.
Although I can't literally translate the news to English, but I think I can try to do something to help.

20 month old Chinese girl by the name of Chia Siew Lian (translated) is suffering from damaged liver since born. She is presently admitted to the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital. The Doctor has diagnosed that her liver bile ducts are blocked which have resulted in multiple complications to the liver. According to the doctor, she is in critical condition and is urgently looking for a compatible liver for a to take place.

Her single mother is a picture of despair and has been keeping vigil at her bedside. Her wish of donating part of her liver was rejected by the Hospital due to some reasons. Therefore, she is hopeful that her daughter's life can be saved by having a suitable liver soon. Little Siew Lian is on the top of the list of patients who are awaiting for liver transplant, but, she is also racing against time now.

The newspaper reported that this year alone there are approximately 70 children suffering from liver related diseases. Some 70% of the children are in dire need of liver transplant. Unfortunately, there are almost 50 of them who have lost their battle due to the unavailability of suitable liver donors!