Christmas Cheer at Shepherd’s Centre Foundation
Christmas Cheer at Shepherd’s Centre Foundation
[By Jenny Sim, Real Foundation Consultant]
Christmas is a time of sharing, giving, and a time of counting our blessings. Blessings such as family love, friendships, and the ability to enjoy the fruits of our labor by indulging in shopping, entertainment and eating at our favorite restaurants.
The visit to Shepherd’s Centre Foundation, Semenyih was indeed a humbling experience. This centre has 103 children from the ages of 3 months up to 23 years old under their care. After more than a month of preparation, R.E.A.L Education Group in partnership with REAL Foundation has prepared more than 100 gifts and other goodies for the children in this home. We applaud and thank the staffs and teachers of R.E.A.L Education Group who has shown their benevolence by sponsoring gifts for these underprivileged children. A special thanks to Mr. Casey Teh and family for participating in this event.
On December 21, 2008, a total of 30 representatives from R.E.A.L Education Group brought Christmas cheer to these children. The Christmas party was started with a short prayer by one of the younger children from the home. The children entertained us by singing several Christmas songs. We then distributed the different foods prepared by Mr. Muru & family, courtesy of Kota Kemuning Kiwanis group.
One of the children remarked “The food today is really nice. I have not seen so much different types of food and they are so delicious. Thank you”. Let’s truly count our blessings, and not take things for granted. A party such as this with an array of food may not be out of the ordinary for us. However, for these children, it means something special for them.
While they were eating, a group of students and teachers from Sekolah Seri Suria (SSS) performed a medley of Christmas Carols. Next on the program we had Jagadeeveiswaran, a Form 1 student from SSS, who gave an amazing magic show performance. The children had fun participating in some of the magic tricks.
Then it was time for distributing the gifts! R.E.A.L Education Group made sure that each child in the home had a gift each. The children were excited and cheered for each other when their names were called to receive their gifts. We reminded them that the gifts were to be opened on Christmas Eve. To end the program, we had a closing prayer by Pastor Jacob and a group photo. Many of the children thanked us for the party and gifts, before going away with smiles on their faces.
As the visitors, we were impressed with how well-behaved and cooperative the children are. We noticed that the older children take good care of the younger ones. We must say the Centre has done a good job in caring and raising these children. Let’s not just remember them once a year. I truly believe through REAL Foundation, we have the OPPORTUNITY to support these children in EDUCATION.
Shepherd’s Centre needs include kindergarten lessons for 11 of their pre-school children, teaching lessons (BM, English, Maths) for 30 non-going students, and to refurbish their library as well as additional books and teaching materials for computer lessons. Many of the children are not able to speak proper English. They will need these language skills plus other basic knowledge to prepare them for skill training once they reach 15 years to government training centres.
