Monday, September 8, 2008

Last Saturday, as planned and organised by FaithHub, we visited the The Children's Home for iftar. Altogether , there's abt 50 of us (kids included)and all of us were there at abt 5.30pm.

First, a Resident Officer led us to a hallway which passed the dorminatory where the children sleep and have their rest. There's only rows of single beds with dull sheets coverings. There's a separate dorm for the boys and the girls (according to age) and the officer told us, that there's abt 50boys and 40girls aged from 3yo to 17yo in The Home..(i hope i get the figure right).

As we walked thru the hallway....on the left and right of us, there's a wall with pictures frames of the children , performing in some activities , pictures of some well known persons who visited The Home and there's pictures of those children/residents from The Home, who has left but has done well and achieved merit for their academic achievements. One of them, amongst the photos was a well known radio DJ (in one of the Malay station) . Im surprised to know that he was the "resident" there for 7 years. From where he came from, i thot, i shld be feel proud of him.

This is not my first visit at The Children Home. It was my second. We came to another bigger hall, where there's a small stage but more like a canteen, where there's table and benches for us and the residents to mingle and have our iftar. While we stood there, one by one the residents came and salaam us. I noticed some of us, have teary eyes when few smaller ones (aged abt 3-4yo)came and did the same. :(

We "adopted" few children/residents and formed a group, we played simple games..which were fun. A frend claimed that she remembered one of the resident girl (in our group). As i recalled back, i remembered her too. She was very very young and was crying then when i visited The Home 3 years ago and now 3years later, the little girl is 3years older. I remembered her background well....it's a sad thing. :(

During iftar, i managed to have "proper" conversation with the young resident girls (in my group). At that young and tender age , i could sensed how they really longed to be with their families and going back home . They wanted their mom and dad and nenek....as much as i could see them laughing....i know sadness filled their heart too. :( No one to hugs and kisses them when they go to skool.

Some have 3-4 siblings in The Home....no one from the family bothered to visit them. Most of them grow up there and can only be discharged till they are abt 19yo. Life there is very routine and strict rulings.

We were told not to snap any pictures , because some of the children are under CPO (Child Protection Order ) , the case of perhaps child abused of some sort. We respected that , hence , no pictures for this entry.

It was sad to leave , but , we can only pray for the best for those children..Ameen.

4 comments:

Aryna said...

I wish I have the opportunity to visit the place. I'm sure it will be an eye opening experience. And I will cry load!! Aku kan cengeng..

NoR said...

maybe next time, if there's other opportunity will buzz u..insya allah.

manja1978 said...

Salam Nor, remember me? :)
which children home you went to? i missed visting one, its been so long ago..

NoR said...

salaam manja,

we visited Darul Ma'awa... ;)