TOGETHER, WE CAN DO SOMETHING WONDERFUL.

Writer: Winnie Anak Mathias (KIL170093)

It was a great experience for me to visit an orphanage for the first time. We, group 4 comprised of 8 students choose to complete the allocated hours for social engagement by visiting Rumah Hope, an orphanage located in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. We visited the orphanage on every Wednesday for 4 weeks from 11.00pm to 7.00pm. 

Figure 1: Group 4 members

Planning phase

As for the planning phase, we discussed and came out with the decision on visiting the orphanage since we do not have any opportunities to engage with the children. We started by contacting few orphanages but unfortunately most of the organizations turned down our offer and throughout our searching there are several difficulty that we faced where we need to consider the factor of transportation and activities that is suitable with our objectives. However, we do not give up in keep on searching and we are grateful that Rumah Hope is welcoming us to have a volunteering works. Throughout our discussion with the management to learn more about the orphanage, we found out that Rumah Hope is mainly consisting of indigenous children. The children are from age of 4 to 18 years old. But the management decided to let us engage with children from the age of 7 to 12 years old due to certain reasons where it is more suitable for our planned activity that will be carried out with them. We distribute well our works among us and we had done a great jobs as we manage to done our jobs by helping each other with a great teamwork. We prepared some stationary, books and snack for the children. Now, let’s start our journey!

First visitation to Rumah Hope. (03/04/2019)

We started our visitation with mixed emotion since this is our first volunteering. When we entered the home, we were taken by surprised as they are welcoming us with a bright smile that could melt our heart by a second.  Then, we started with ice breaking sessions where we get to introduce ourselves and interact with the children. Throughout this session, I found out that most of the children are quite shy. However, after spending time with them, the children started to come out from their comfort zone as well as us. At first, I tried to communicate with them by using English and Malay but it seem like they can’t really understand. At this moment, I knew that we may face some communication barrier. But, it is surprisingly that we could overcome it by using simple words and hand signals.

We continue our activity after they have some break. As for our second session, we continue our activity with drawing and colouring activities. They seem to have lots of fun as they are enjoying it. Throughout this session, I found out that the children I Rumah Hope have a proper education since they are able to draw well and express their thought by drawing. It is an interesting time as we get to know them well and able to mingle with them.

Times fly, it is the time where we should head back. As for the conclusion of the day, it was a totally unforgettable experience for me.

Figure 2: Ice breaking session

Figure 3: Drawing and colouring session

Second visitation to Rumah Hope (10/0402019)

Here come the second visitation and I can’t wait for it! We started our first sessions with some teaching sessions, where we teach them on their homework. Through this session, it can be seen that they are willing to gain knowledge where they showed passionate by asking us questions and tried their best to do their homework by themselves. After that, we continue our activity with them by having some sports; there are children who played badminton and football. I found out Rumah Hope’s children are actively participated even though there are lack of equipment, they are willing to take turn for each games. They are so considerate with one another and it was a great attitude that I learned from them.

Figure 4: Teach/Help them on homework

Figure 5: Sport session

Third visitation to Rumah Hope (17/04/2019)

On the third visitation, we started with help them to clean up their stuffs. I found out that there are quite many kind peoples who are willing to donate daily products to the orphanage. The management told us that the children will get sufficient stuffs that they needed and it can be seen that the children here are grateful with all they have as they treasure their things very much where they will keep their belongings neatly.

After few hours of cleaning, we proceed our activity with the children where we help them with their homework and some drawing colouring session as well. It was a tiring day, but it is worth as the children here was grateful with our helping.

Figure 6: Help on cleaning and arranging stuffs

Figure 7: Cleaning and arranging stuffs in the room

Last visitation to Rumah Hope (23/04/2019)

Finally, here comes our last visitation. As for the last day, we prepared some interesting activities with the children. We played games with them. The children here seem to have fun with it as well as us. We also have some talks with them individually; they seem to be more comfort with us compared to the first and second visit where they are willing to share their thought with us. As for me, I was so happy because some of them even remember my name and they told me that they really had fun every time we came to visit.

On that day, time fly faster than the others day. We had come to the end where we distributed some souvenirs to the children as well as to the management. We even took some photos with them. A last lingering look, we bind goodbye with the children.

It was an unforgettable experience for me and I was so grateful that I have learned many things from my group members as well as from the children. I would definitely participate in any volunteering works if I have the chance in the future!

 

Figure 8: Children with us!