知福 惜福 造福........回省自己

日前，在世界攝影比賽上獨獲金獎的單幅照片《非洲兒童》，讓全世界60億人落淚了

這個身上爬滿蚊蟲、蒼蠅的非洲小男孩的照片，給所有讀者的心靈以
最強烈的震撼。


圖片上的每個元素都讓人呼吸停止、心跳變慢：這世界上真有這樣的地方嗎？真有這樣的兒童嗎?

從瘦得可以清晰地數出他肋骨的兒童身上，我們看見了處在那片貧瘠土地上的兒童的悲慘的命運。他們沒有網絡遊戲，沒有KFC、MDL，沒有玩具，沒有夥伴，甚至沒有可以果腹的食品。

　　為什麼小男孩身上會爬滿了蚊蟲及蒼蠅？是因為飢餓已經讓他沒有力氣來揮手驅趕這些昆蟲，還是因為他早已經喪失了驅趕這些昆蟲的願望？也許，這些就是日日陪伴他度過沒有天真與撒嬌的童年的夥伴。他已經習慣了它們的存在。


　　小男孩的家人呢？圖片右上角，一個同樣骨瘦如柴的成年人一邊朝著小男孩這邊張望，一邊忙著手裡的活計。我們或許可以判斷，這個成年人肩 負著照顧小男孩的偉大任務，但因為他自己要忙著多幹點活，多掙點錢來養活全家，也許他就是這個小男孩的哥哥，也許他就是這個小男孩的爸爸，對於兒童身上的 東西，他也已經習慣了。

　　左上角的白色棚子，也許就是小男孩的家，看得出來，是由廢棄不用的材料搭建而成。遠方，同樣沒有什麼建築物，只有一個茅草做成的房屋孤零零的立在曠野中。


　　我們的心都在流淚。震撼之餘，也許我們每個人又產生了一種慶幸：比起他，我們可是天堂般的生活！而在慶幸之餘，我們還是覺得，有一種隱痛和不甘，其實就在我們心底。更多

Hari Raya Orphanage Visit

We made a trip to visit Rumah Nur Hikmah on the first day of Hari Raya, 30th August, 2011.

Carrying with us, the items requested by the caretaker, Tuan Haji Othman Ahmad comprising of the following:

- 6 tins of Snow Brand baby milk powder for the prematurely born babies - courtesy of Mr Chan Yong Houng & Family

- Groceries comprising of cooking oil, shampoo, shower gel, tooth paste, cookies, chocolates and a football for the boys! - courtesy of Mr Tai & Family

- RM100 from Mr Ngo Chong Let & Family - as duit raya

- RM200 from Ms Vivian Geow - as duit raya

- RM300 from Mr Yap Yin Hong & Family - as cash donation

so we headed towards Kajang on a bright sunny day.

Being pre-empted by the caretaker, Tuan Haji Othman Ahmad, that there will not be many children around as they will be invited to other functions on that very first day or Raya, we thought of just fulfilling our "quest" and went ahead with the trip to make our donation.

We were greeted by some of the single mothers who were relaxing around caring for the babies.

After unloading our gifts, we toured around the home and thereafter my brother, Mr Yap Yin Hon, made the cash donation to the home and we then left the place .... completely oblivious to those DUIT RAYA packets which were left inside my handbag until we reached home.

So, here comes the second donation in a day:

Unable to sit still, I googled the web and found this Muslim Orphanage closest to Subang Jaya...

Woke my husband up from his afternoon slumber, we drove off to an adventurous trip, Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih, A home that took us by surprise, located right next to the Subang Jaya/Puchong neighbourhood...

I must highlight the journey driving into this Kampung Sri Aman, Batu 13, Puchong.

We were truly surprised by the scenic drive along side the river passing by many Kampungs. The feeling was just like entering into a small town somewhere in Melaka, Muar or Kuantan ... seeing the motorbikers and cyclists maneuvering on the narrow, otherwise well tarred road, rendering us a very peaceful feeling. You will not believe that you are just around the Subang Jaya vicinity until you see the municipal signboard erected prominently at the road junctions.

Rumah Amal Limpahan Kasih is a home that housed 83 children. It is so clean, tidy and organised. This is a total contrast to most of the homes we have visited.

The caretaker, En. Zawawi came upfront to receive us.

Again, being an absent-minded self, I ignorantly extended my hand to greet him "Selamat Hari Raya"....:(

He politely smiled and waived his hand as a gesture and turned to my husband for a full handshake.

He was most grateful seeing us dropping by and suggested us to have a photograph taken with me handing over the "Green Packet Duit Raya".

Boy, this home has certainly amazed me and I think I will be back to make more support in the near future. You guys can head over to their blog for very exciting news, and support them by buying some of their produce, i.e flowers, vegetable or just drop by to their nursery for a weekend family time...

Before signing off, a BIG Thank You to Mr Yap, Mr Ngo and Mr Chan who made their kind donations, and pray for God to be with you and bless you with good health and happiness to you and your family.