Core Value Students Continue Good Works
A report from KL Malaysia CV members
Core Value Training is an extraordinary course that allows us a deeper understanding of contribution and commitment toward our own community. This is the second time KL Malaysia members have organized a charity project.
For the first project last year, KL CV members formed a charity committee to raise funds for several organization. They baked cookies together and gathered food for Chinese New Years hampers. In all, they raised about RM40,000 in total and donated the money to three organizations, including Agathians Shelter.
Agathians Shelter is an orphanage for boys that was founded in 2003 by team of young adults. It was set up to save a group of children from being turned out to the street and to provide a home for them. The children are from various backgrounds: some are orphaned, some only have a single parent who can't afford to feed them, and others are either abandoned or neglected. The shelter accommodates about 35 boys, and since they do not receive any subsidies from the government, they desperately need help from other sources.
On January 16, 2011, we again visited Agathians Shelter, with the intention besides food and cash donations, to connect and bring awareness to people around us. What follows is the experience of one of our CV family, Jerry Choo.
"Today is our best day." That's what I heard when I stepped out of my car. Standing in front of main gate, I saw a group of nice people hugging each other—it was members of our CV KL family. Finally, intention has brought me to the Agathians Shelter.
I was welcomed warmly with a great smile by one of the workers. After a short introduction, we began to unload food supplies from the car. As we were carrying the goods to the orphanage, I felt strong energy and was filled with laughter and joy. I had almost forgotten this feeling.
The shelter is three single-story houses linked together with a basement below. The houses are probably 30 years. While I was entering the porch I saw about twenty kids (ages 5-15) playing with a group of volunteers. It gave me a chance to reminisce about those days when I was younger. After all of us had arrived, the keeper of Agathians named Manga, offered to give us a tour around the shelter, which the kids have called SWEET HOME since 2003.
Inside the house, we could see an old sofa made of bamboo wood and a coffee table with few magazines on top of it. There was an office on the left where visitors can make contributions, and to the right was another living room converted into a huge study room. There are lots of books here: textbooks, storybooks, dictionaries, etc. There are several bedrooms with five double decker beds in each. All were neat and tidy; things were properly taken care of.
Then we went downstairs, where Manga showed us the second living room where the kids get to watch TV. Next, we saw the kitchen and a huge storeroom where all sort of treasures (donated by big-hearted people) are being kept. During the tour, Manga shared with us her experience as a guardian to the kids. Although Aganthians don’t receive any subsidies from the government and little financial aid from the public, she doesn’t allow teenagers to work after school. That’s because she fears that they would then be reluctant to pursue higher education.
Thus, they are very much dependent on public and corporate contributions. The monthly expenses for running the home are approximately RM 18,000. Currently, donations received are insufficient to cover the monthly expenses. There are times when a committee member of the home will bear the shortfall. This is to ensure the home operates without any hiccups.
Later on, Kev took the initiative to spend time with a few kids by talking, connecting and sharing joy with them. Taking an interest in what their dream is, their interests, favorite subject in school, and so on definitely breaks the ice. Due to their situation, some of the kids had lost the courage to have a dream or believe in one—even a very small glimpse of a dream.
Before departing from the shelter, Bryan’s friend thanked us for allowing him and his family to join us and make a contribution. It was such a wonderful experience for him. I do hope he will be joining CV soon. Finally, the CV KL family ended up at Strawberry Field Restaurant for lunch together. Some of us shared about our experiences during the visit. The day was memorable, magical and meaningful for everyone. A big thanks to our organizer and everyone who made this a successful event. You have shown your unconditional love and compassion to the world. Thank you.
