I know we have been missing for some time now.

Fret not, we will be back.

Just a little busy with life. =)

CHARITY VISIT TO SHAMMAH HOME! =D

On the 24th of July 2011, we, the Youth Cares members had our charity visit for the month of May, and June to Shammah Home which was situated in Butterworth, Penang. We left our house at 2.30pm as we have to reach the home at 4.00pm sharp.

Notice the blue shirt we are wearing?
When we reached the home, we met up with the caretaker of the home, Ms. Josephine. The kids were very excited to see us. To start things off, we briefly explained to Ms. Josephine what was our project all about and our main objective in doing this charity visit for her home. Then, we sat down with Ms. Josephine for a little more insight about her home.

Ms. Josephine and her husband started this home approximately 7 years ago. Before that, Ms.Josephine had previously worked as in a children's home in Kuala Lumpur and other states. After her experience in Kuala Lumpur, she decided to open a home. Shammah Home was born, shammah in Hebrew means 'God Ever Present', the name was suggested by her husband. Ms. Josephine and her husband have a 7 old daughter by the name,Naomi Patricia.

There are 22 children staying there between the ages of 18 months to 19 years old. That includes six orphans and a disabled child. She was saying that she and her husband started the home in a rented house in Jalan Molek in Bagan Ajam with only four children. Later on, they moved to a rented house in Jalan Nilam, Bagan Ajam because the previous home was not good as they faced leakage problem in some parts of the home.

According to Ms. Josephine the home is not funded properly. She only has 3 constant donors, donations received from this donors are barely enough for bill payment. The rest of the expenses are taken up by her. Often times, she would pawn her jewellery in order to settle the home expenses. They need donations for the home rental, utility bills, daily meals and expenses for the children's need in school.

After the talk with Ms. Josephine, we had a small birthday celebration for some of the children. Fortunately, we celebrated a boy's birthday, his name is Theophiles, 9 years old whereby his birthday was on the 8th of July. Then, we served the delicious cake to all of them in the home. They(children) enjoyed the cake. After that, we sat with the children and have a little talk with them. They were very friendly to us. How adorable?!

Then, we brought down the rations that we had bought for the home. The rations consist of soap powder, toothbrush, milk powder, sugar and many more. We also donated RM100 to the home, for the kids pocket money. Furthermore, we had also donated activity books to the home.
Even with the lack of donors, Ms.Josephine never made the children feel deprived. The home indeed had a very homely feeling.

At 5.30pm, it was time for us to make a move, before leaving we took a group photo with all the children including with Ms. Josephine. After the photo session, we thanked the children and Ms. Josephine for sharing time with all of us and sharing her experiences. Then, we left the home cherished with happiness in all our hearts.

Ms.Josephine's plight as highlighted by The Star newspaper on July 18th 2011

GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!!! =D

Reported by,
Taranee Vig.

DONATING 8 UNITS OF CLOTHES CABINET

Date/Day :- 30 April 2011/ SaturdayTime/
Location :- 4pm at Batu Grace Home, Kulim, Kedah.

The Youth Cares team assembled at Batu Grace Home at sharp 4pm. We were greeted by Ms. Shagunthala, the home coordinator. By the time reached the home they were cleaning up their dining area. We had a small chit chat with Ms Shagunthala and the kids. The clothing cabinet arrived at 4.20pm. 5 units were set up in the girls' hostel and the balance 3 were set up at the boys' hostel.Then it was time for tea. Tea-break snacks for the kids were sponsored by Ganga.The main attraction of the day was "Ginger". The kids were very happy with her presence. They were very excited to play with her. "Ginger" made the merrier. Thanks to her. Then it was time to say goodbye. Ms. Shagunthala and her husband were very grateful to Youth Cares and their continuous support to the home. We departed he home at 6pm. Once again, Youth Cares have scored their goal! God Bless All!

Report by,

Nithiya Shan.

Food Donation 2011

Chitra Pournami 2010

In 2011, Chitra Pournami falls on the 17th of April (Sunday). Therefore, it was time for Youth Cares annual food donation. This would be our 3rd consecutive year in organising this event. This year, Youth Cares decided to target 1500 people for the food donation. At first we were a little skeptical of reaching our target and risked having leftover but we decided to risk it all, as it was a weekend. A weekend would mean a good turn out. As it was a weekend, many of our donors manage to drop by to give us a hand in the preparations. We gathered under our tent at around 10.30am. This year the tent was put up a day earlier, to secure our spot. We initially arranged for the tent to be nearer to the temple or the Youth Park car park, but most places were taken up by business vendors. *when you see many business stalls, it means GOOD CROWD* At 11.15 am, the food finally arrived. The menu of the day was Tomato Rice, Vegetarian Kurma, Cabbage stir fried,Taukua Sambal,Pudina Chutney & for the sweet tooth, Ladoo! As per last year, even before we managed to unload the food from the caterer’s truck, there was a line forming in the front of the tent. *I suppose the food really must have smelled good*
After unloading the food, all I remember was someone telling me to serve the food. We started serving to the public at around 12pm. Just in time for a good hearty lunch. Something extra this year was that our banner made it's debut. It was a good move, as someone came up to one of us to enquire what Youth Cares was all about. At around 2, we were ready to pack up and leave. Yay, we manage serve 1500 people.

A 'BIG THANK YOU'to :
- All those who donated
- Maximuz Mini Mart
- Susmeatha Catering

Till Next Year!!

By,
Swarna

.

Catch us in action

Youth Cares Penang is once again organising,

Annual Food Donation to coincide with Penang's Mini Thaipusam!

Date : 17 April 2011

Time : 11.10 am

Place Youth Park car park

Spot our tent/banner!!

.

BATU GRACE ASHRAM, KULIM, KEDAH.

Mrs. Sakunthala (The Caretaker)

The Prayer Room

The Kindergarten

On the 19th of March 2011, the Youth Cares members once again had their charity visit in combining the month of February and March. They visited Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Batu Grace which is situated in Kulim, Kedah. We left Penang at 9am and arrived at around 11am. Once arrived,we met the caretaker of the home, Ms. Shankeri and Mrs. Sakunthala. We explain to both of them about our charity project. Mrs. Sakunthala was very pleased after listening to us! :)

Fortunately, on the day we visited the home it was one of the children birthday. So we bought a birthday cake to celebrate with them. Preceding the day of our visit was another child's birthday. their names were, Archana, 9 years old and Gayathri, 12 years old. All of them were so happy and excited for the birthday cake since it was a 3kg butter cake fully decorated with colourful icing cream.

After celebrating, we served all of them the delicious cake. *YUMMY*... Later then, Mrs. Sakunthala gave a little explanation about the home that there were 49 kids living in the home. Age from 2 years old to 20 years old. They were actually renting the home. On the same day, some children had gone out to take donations in order to raise funds for the home. Mrs. Sakunthala was briefly telling us that most of the children in the home were abandoned by their parents. Some of them have single parent and some of them were orphans.

She also said few of them were not even Malaysian citizens and they don't have a valid document such as birth certificates, identity card and so on. We were sad to hear that some of the children there had a hard time at the age of 5 to 7 years old.

After Mrs. Sakunthala explain to us about the home, we went for a quick mini tour around the home. The home is actually divided to 4 sections. They are the girls hostel, the meditating/prayer room, the boys hostels and also a kindergarten for the little ones. Every Saturday evening, the kids will have a special prayers conducted by Mrs. Sakunthala's husband.

After going around the home compound, we brought down the dry rations which we bought for them. The rations consists of milk powder,soap powder, bihun, floor cleaners, and many more. They were very thankful for the things we bought as they need those things. One of our member donated some cash for the home too.

At 12.30pm, we took a few group photos with all the children before we leave. Then, we said goodbye to all of them in the home and left to Penang.

Reported by,

Taranee.

Archana and Gayathri's Birthday Celebration.

2011 FIRST MONTH CHARITY EVENT

On the 22nd of January, the YC members had their first month charity for the year 2011! They had their charity event in Persatuan Kebajikan Sinar Ceria which was located in Bukit Mertajam, Penang. We moved from Penang at 2.45pm and reached the home at 3.30pm. The caretaker/the founder of the home, Mrs. Pakiam was actually anxious to meet us. Then, we introduced ourselves to her and explained to her our objective of doing this charity.

That particular day was a day where all the kids would have their free time going out to play games. Unfortunately, on the day we went to the home, all the kids were out for a one day trip holiday. They went to Sunway Lagoon in Kuala Lumpur which was sponsored by one of the donors of the home . Although they were not there, the small children were there, Trisha, Shanmugam and Jega.

As soon as we were there the 3 of them were very generous and loving. We were having a little chit-chat with the kids, then we started to play with kids at the playground in the home itself. The kids were enjoying themselves and so were we.

Later then, Mrs. Pakiam showed us around the home, the home is actually a small terraced house which is combined with another terraced house which a former kindergarten programme contained that now they have housing for the children, office space for administration work, kitchen, and store room. Mrs. Pakiam told us that she was very worried for the kids when they didn't have a home or a shelter for the kids to be secured. Then she had a plan of buying a house for the kids. She didn't care much about the price whereby she gave first priority for the kids. May GOD bless her always!! :)

As we were talking with Mrs. Pakiam, we didn't realise that time has just gone so fast. And so, it was time for us to end the day with saying good bye to the kids and also to Mrs. Pakiam. Before leaving, we gave our donations for the home and also Mrs. Pakiam thanked us for being kind and open hearted for donating for the home.

After that at 5.30pm, we said goodbye to Mrs. Pakiam and the kids in the home and went back home with a wide smile in our face!!! :D

*IMPORTANT NOTE*

The home is actually in need of computers in order for the kids to learn.

Reported by,

-Darshiini-