YOUTH CARES AMAZING RACE 2010

On the 19th of December, Sunday, the Youth Cares members had a wonderful and challenging game called the AMAZING RACE ala Youth Cares! The main objective of this race was to create stronger family ties and this race was also a learning experience for all the youths in the family.We got up at 5.00am sharp and left the house at 6.30 am on the dot.

Everybody were told to assemble at a pre-determined venue,Esplanade before 7.15am. After everybody was accounted for, all of us had our morning breakfast which was nasi lemak! Come to think of it, that was rather heavy for an early morning breakfast!!

After that, all the adult participants were called for a short briefing regarding their grouping with a junior and also about the rules and regulations about the race. After the briefing session, the adults were joined by their respective juniors and were told about the route that we were suppose to use during the race and as a guide we were given a map.

We started the race at 7.55am. All groups were grouped by number sequence. But when the race started, groups were not called out by sequence, but they were called out randomly. Every 5 minutes a group will be called out. The time limit that was given to all groups to finish the race was 3 hours. Among the activities involved during the race was sketch some prominent buildings in the Penang Heritage enclave, take a bus ride to Weld Quay/jetty (a first for some) & to identify some heritage buildings. Many teams managed to finish the race within an hour! After all groups were done with the race, they were treated with nasi lemak again & kaya+planta bun. After that, we submitted our file to the judges to be scrutinised by the judges. The judges' verdict was finally announced after 15 minutes.

Even though, most of us were born & bred in Penang, we did make some silly mistakes regarding identifying some buildings. This are the kind of things we tend to take for granted in life. In the end, almost everybody had some sort of body pain but still we managed to go back home with a lifetime of memory.

Report by,
Swarna & team

FINAL CHARITY 2010

The Youth Cares did their last charity activity for the month of December at Kamakshi Children Home , Kulim, Kedah on the 18th December 2010, Saturday. The Penangites started towards Kulim at 9.45 am. They reached Kulim at about 10.30 am. Without much ado, we departed from Nithiya's house at about 10.45 am and reached the home at 11.00 am sharp.

When we reached the home, the caretaker Ms. Kamala told us that the children had gone to the playground as it was a part of their routine on weekends especially on school holidays. But, she offered the kids to come back earlier, as we wanted to spend more time with the kids. While we were waiting for the kids to come back, Ms Kamala brought and showed us around the home.

Kamakshi Children Home was very well maintained by the caretakers. It certainly conveyed a homely and healthy environment for the kids to be there. After a short tour around the home, we sat down to have a little chit-chat with Ms.Kamala. Soon after the kids arrived. They refreshed themselves and sat on the tables to join the chit-chat session with us. Mrs Karuna (Achi) from our side did a very good job on controlling the big crowd of 50 children of ages 8 to 15. So did Ms. Gowri and the others. To get to know the kids a little better, we made the kids stand up and mention their ambitions one by one. The kids were very spontaneous and none of them showed fear to speak in the front of a crowd.

Then it was time for the kids to have their lunch. So, we bade farewell to the kids. After that, we made our way to the administration office to hand in our donation for the home. Ms Kamala thanked us for the donation and for entertaining the kids for almost an hour. Then we left the home with our hearts filled with satisfaction that we have again accomplished doing a good deed by carving happy moments for the unfortunates to forget their pasts.

May God Bless Them Always....!!

Reported by,

Nithiya Shan.

World Walking Day, 2010.

On the 21st of November 2010, World Walking Day was carried out simultaneously across the country. In Penang, it was held at Padang Polo at Jalan Sepoy Line (Opposite Penang General Hospital). To encourage a healthier lifestyle, the Youth Cares members, managed to encourage a few participants to participate in this event organised by Nestlé.

On a Sunday morning, we woke up bright and early at 5.00am to meet up with the others around 6.30am. Once we were all gathered, we make our way to the t-shirt booth to collect our FREE T-SHIRT ( Thank you Nestlé!!!). After collecting the t-shirt, we quickly changed into our new bright green t-shirt! As warm up exercise, the organisers invited an aerobic instructor for the participants. The participants had an amazing and laughter filled aerobics session for a good half an hour.

After an exciting round of aerobics, the host of the day (who was funny and entertaining) explained to the participants of the rules and regulations of the walk. After the briefing session, we were all guided to the starting point. We started walking to the designated route after the horn was blown.

For the final 100m, participants were told to be creative with their walk, for example instead of walking normally, participants can try the moon walk or the Egyptian walk. The first 500 participants to reach the finish line, they were given a goodie bag (Nestlé products) and every participants were presented with a lucky draw ticket. Unfortunately, none of the Youth Cares members were lucky enough to win any prizes for the day. But, we could be considered lucky as we shared this event with our family members.

As you might have known by now, Nestlé was the main sponsor for the day. So, many booths carried Nestlé products but there were others as refreshments. Such as Milo, cereals like Honey Stars and Maggi noodles.

To warm down ourselves, we had the last aerobics session. After a good start to our Sunday morning, we headed back home!

Reported by,

Darshiini.

The Festival of Lights.

The Youth Cares carried out its recent charity program in conjunction with the Festival of Lights on the 7th of November 2010. This time, we held it at the Seri Cahaya, Batu Maung Home, as that was the only home available at such short notice. We were glad that almost all the contributors were able to attend this event.

Our crew arrived at the home at about 3.30 pm. As it was still nap time, most of the children were still sleeping while some have returned to their foster parents for the holidays. So, we had to wait for them to get up and freshen themselves for the evening prayers. Meanwhile, we enjoyed some light refreshments and Diwali cookies prepared by the home.**mmm.. delicious** At about 4.15, the kids were all awake and we were ready to start off with a short thanksgiving prayers.

After the prayers were over and everybody was getting their blessings from the caretaker, Mr.Vig (one of the donors) came up with a brilliant idea to have a 'on-the-spot-donation'. So, Swarna equipped with her trusted pink little cap, when around the room collecting extra donations. The amount didn't matter, it was the thought that count. At the end of the day, we donated more than we wanted initially to the home.

After the prayers it was time for the kids to have their tea time meal. While the kids were having their meal the elder contributors who were there for the occasion, started to give out small ‘ang pou’ packets which were prepared by the Youth Cares members for all the kids there. We also gave ‘ang pou’ packets to the senior citizens who lived there. We were all moved when we looked at all those happy faces when they received the ‘ang pou’ packets. But we were not the only one moved by it, the senior citizens were moved as well. They even looked shocked and at the spur of the moment, hugged one of our donors.

Later, we had a little chit-chat session with the kids along with a photo shoot session. Then we left the home with our hearts filled with satisfaction that we have done a good deed on a good day and ended our day beautifully at about 5.30 pm. After that we, the YC & family, went on to have our very own chit chat and tea session at a coffee house before everyone departs to their respective states or countries.

Sharing a festivity with your family members means a lot, but when you share it with the less fortunate, it has a greater meaning to it.

Report By,
Nithiya Shan & Team

Shan Children Home, Tanjung Tokong

On 13 June 2010, the Youth Care members once again had their charity visit to SHAN CHILDREN HOME, Tanjung Tokong. We went there about 3.30 p.m. This time around, we had arranged some station games to interact with the kids of the home. There were 5 station games altogether. The games were conducted within the compound of the home.

The station games were :
1. Solving a puzzle
2. newspaper folding (see how many kids can stand on 1/4 of newspaper)
3. box reading
4. Blind folding
5. rusty telephone (can you convey a message properly or are you rusty)


Some of the member went there early to set up the games. As there were 20 children in the home on that particular day. We had exactly divided them into 5 group consisting of 4 players each in different ages. After all YC members arrived safely (after getting lost).The games begun.The joy could be seen in the children's eyes. After that at roughly about 5 o'clock, we ended the games. Soon after that, all the YC members tallied the marks which was given to every group. As a result, 2 groups (Group A & B) won 1st and 2nd placing respectively
.
Even though, the prizes were on given to only 1st and 2nd placing, the YC members presented a small notebook as souvenir to all the children in the home. Later, before saying goodbye to the children, we celebrated some of our relatives (June babies) birthday there. The cake (home made marble cake) was given to all the children. Then, we left the home, thanking the care-taker and also thanking the children for participating for these games.



Reported by,
Darshiini & Taranee

It's Payback time.

Came across this article in The Star newspaper last Sunday(2 May).
Just wanted to share with you good people!!

It's Payback Time

Click

Food Donation 2010!

Chitra Pournami, is a Tamil festival observed on the full moon day (Pournami) in the month of Chitirai (April/May) hence the name. The day is dedicated to Chitragupta, the official keeper of deeds in the abode of Yama, The Lord of Death. It is believed that bathing in holy rivers and temple ponds on the day will wash away the sins committed by one.

In Hinduism, Chitragupta, the first assistant of Lord Yama, is the one who keeps record of the good and bad deeds of human beings on earth. After death, when one reaches the abode of Yama, it is he who tallies the good and bad deeds and declares it to Yama (Judgement Day). Therefore, the day is dedicated to Chitragupta and devotees pray to him to forgive their sins.

In 2010, Chitra Pournami falls on the 28th of April (Wednesday). Therefore, it was time for Youth Cares annual food donation.This year, Youth Cares took a very bold move and decided to target 1000 people for the food donation. At first we were a little skeptical of reaching our target and risked having leftover as it was a WORKING DAY. A working day naturally means a smaller crowd.

Still we stuck by our target and went ahead with the plans. Eventhough, it was a working day many of our donors managed to take off from work to help Youth Cares out. (For those who didn’t make it, we understand that you need to work. So that can donate more to Youth Cares! *wink*)

We gathered at the Youth Park carpark area around 10am. I was very happy to see many of them were very punctual for the event. At around 10.30am, the guys from Vision Tents arrived to put up the tent for us. Come to think of it, thank god we put up tents to shade us from the scorching sun and later the heavy rain. The food was expected to make it’s grand entrance at 11-ish.

Setting up the tent

At 11.10 am, the food finally arrived. Should the food arrive any later, I would have gotten a mild heart attack. The menu of the day was Briyani Rice, Vegetarian kurma, Cabbage stir fried, Mango chutney and Ms.Kala’s Taukua Sambal!

The grand entrance!!

Even before we managed to unload the food from the caterer’s truck, there was a line forming in the front of the tent. That is when I knew, there will be no leftovers.

After unloading the food, all I remember was someone telling me to serve the food. After an hour or so, we were all done and ready to wrap up. The best part of the day was when Mr.Vig said ‘Sorry, we are all out of rice!’. Can you imagine that? We managed to serve 1000 people.hurray!!!


I know I saw one or two people who came back for second serving. There was also this lady: she said someone called her up and asked her to take food from us because it was simply DELICIOUS!

After all was said and done, the day ended on a high note.

A very personal THANK YOU to:
- All who donated for this event
- Susmeatha Catering
- Prakash&Maleni for the tent
- Gopal for the foam boxes
- Kala for her taukua sambal

We manage to feed a baby too!!

The eco friendly foam boxed used.

To the uninvited guest, Mr Long, thank you for visiting!

Till next year!

Report by,
Swarna ‘n’ TEAM

Children Protection Society

On 14 march 2010 Youth Cares had their monthly visit to Children Protection Society for the month of February. At 2.00 p.m. the YC members depart from their houses . We reached the place at 2.30 p.m. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the caretaker there also known as the 'house mother' . Miss Suzie and Miss Thilaga, they were on duty that day to take care of the children. After meeting them, we brought down all the ration that we bought from the car. At least thirteen of us went for the visiting. In the shelter , 28 of them stays there.

They range from the ages of 6 years old to 18 years old. 8 of them are boys and the others are girls. After bringing down all the rations, the house mother ask us to write our names in a donation book of theirs as a record. We explain to the caretaker about this visiting to them, they were very pleased for our visiting. When we went there, the kids were watching television while some of them were playing computer games. When we went in there, the kids greeted us by saying with a nice smile. After few minutes talking to Miss Suzie, she took us to explore the place. She was explaining that this place is a rented house, soon they will be moving to their new place that they have bought. In the shelter they have separate rooms for the children. Example, age 6 to 10 sleeps in one bedroom and the others sleep in another bedroom. Girls and boys have their own separate room.

The children there keep their things neatly and they fold their own clothes. After exploring, Miss Suzie told more info about the place and about the kids. Unfortunately when we were there, some of them weren't there. They went for holidays with their relatives and some went for extra classes such as sailing and moral classes. There they take turns to wash their clothes, sweep the room and many more. After that, the YC members chit chatted with the children there, they were very friendly to us. They were also happy to see us visiting them.

After few minutes, we thanked Miss Suzie and Miss Thilaga for sharing their time with us and before going back home, Miss Suzie and Miss Thilaga asked us to give our contact numbers to them so that if there is any function held, they would like to invite us to joint them, after that, we went back home.



Report by,
Taranee 'n' Team.

First for the year 2010!

January 2010 had been a little busy. Most of the YC members were busy coping going back to school. Therefore, initially there was supposed to be no activity for this month.
But as Faith came calling, YC got a call from the caretaker of Rumah Kebajikan Seri Cahaya.

Thaipusam, an annual festival celebrated by the Hindus was around the corner. During this festival it is usual for the general public to serve food for free to the devotees.

The caretaker of the home, ran out of option and was in serious need for dry ingredients such as cooking oil, rice and noodles. So, YC ever the lending hand decided to ease the home by donating the ingredients.

On 25th of January, 5 days before the festival YC members handed over the rations to the home's caretaker. On the 30th of January, the home served home cooked food to the devotees who flocked Sri Balathandayuthabani Hilltop Temple to fulfill their vows. The home served lunch as the crowd of devotees were at it's peak.

On the very next day of Thaipusam, the chair lady of the home called YC to thank us for the generous donation. This year the home managed to serve more than 500 devotees. This number is more than the previous years.


Reported by,
Darshiini & TEAM

Youth Cares' turns ONE!

31st December 2009, marks the day Youth Cares turns one. To mark this day and also to carry out the final charity programme for the year 2009, the YC members decided to serve food to the less fortunate. The event took place at Pitt Street Kuan Yin Temple.

We arrived at the temple grounds around 11.45am. Before serving any food, the YC members prayed at the temple to seek the blessings of Goddess Mercy and also to say thank you.

The menu of the day was vegetarian Nasi Lemak, prepared by one of yourvery kind donor,Ms.Kala. Sharp at 12 pm, we started serving the food. We were done serving by the time the clock hit 12.15. Glad to say, this final event of the year managed to get together most of the Youth Care members.
On a brighter note, while serving food, 2 of our members were interviewed by a local newspaper publications. The 2 members that were interviewed are Darshiini & Swarna. They were interviewed by Sinar Harian. (we are still trying to get out hands on that article).

last but not the least, THANK YOU to everybody who stuck by us throughout 2009.

Happy New Year!!!

Report by,
Nithiya Shan & TEAM