MOSAIC MIRROR WORKSHOP MARKS FINALE FOR IREKA CARES WITH RUMAH HOPE
Kuala Lumpur, 11 June 2012: Blue, red and black – it was the winning colour combination for young Tamilarasan in a Mosaic Mirror Design Competition participated by the Rumah Hope children, at a farewell party hosted by Ireka Corporation Berhad’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, IREKA CARES, recently.
Tamilarasan, 11, said, “Blue is from our Rumah Hope’s logo, red is from Ireka’s logo and black is my hair colour; and I love them all!” His ‘team member’ – IREKA CARES volunteer, Wong Su Chin, added, “He personally came up with the design concept and colour combination! He was also very meticulous and creative – all of which resulted in this masterpiece! I’m certainly very proud of him!”
Ireka’s Deputy Managing Director, Datuk Lai Foot Kong concurred, saying, “All the mosaic mirrors were beautifully designed by the children. I would love to think that the Arts-themed activities we carried out over the past year, has helped to realise their talents and value – in one way or another.”
The farewell party, aptly held in SENI Mont’ Kiara (SENI means Arts in Bahasa Malaysia), was especially meaningful as it marks the end of the one-year adoption programme with Rumah Hope. The Mosaic Mirror Design Competition kick-started after a briefing by The Clay Arts Studio (whom Ireka engaged to conduct the Arts & Craft workshop).
Each child creatively designed their mirror frames with colourful pre-cut mosaic tiles, drawing inspiration from the beautifully-landscaped SENI Mont’ Kiara. IREKA CARES volunteers who guided the children also seized the opportunity to enjoy their ‘finale’ get-together. The second and third prizes for Mosaic Mirror Design Competition went to Rayathri @ Mary, 13, and Leah Chong Ai Leng, 11, respectively.
After a scrumptious buffet lunch for the children, Datuk Lai presented his closing speech, “It is fulfilling to see such active participation from our Ireka volunteers who have worked hard to make a difference – even in the smallest way. To me, this is what our CSR programme is all about. It has been an enjoyable and rewarding learning experience for us and we hope, for the children too.”
Caregiver from Rumah Hope, Ms Catherine shared, “We really appreciate all the activities IREKA CARES has organised for Rumah Hope throughout the year; and most importantly – thanks for spending time with our children.” The children then presented their handmade memento – a Mosaic Mirror and a Batik handkerchief, as a show of appreciation to IREKA CARES.
For the past year, IREKA CARES volunteers had been organising various monthly arts-themed activities, such as making clay pottery, fridge magnets, batik painting, friendship bracelets, cross-stitching, sushi-making as well as lessons in the performing arts (dance, drama and singing). Rumah Hope started in 1994 as a sanctuary for abused, abandoned, neglected and underprivileged children between the ages of 5 to 17.
So, what’s next for IREKA CARES 2012 /2013? Datuk Lai said, “We’ll be where the need is, for it is in giving that we receive! We will soon be announcing the next children’s home we plan to support and I am looking forward to another inspirational year ahead.”
Young tutors: Rumah Hope children taught Datuk Lai Foot Kong (Ireka’s Deputy Managing Director) how to design mosaic mirror.
Rumah Hope children topping ingredients to their gunkan sushi together with volunteer Nor Fathiyyah.
Confidence: Rayathri @ Mary, 13, and Srigan Nayako, 15, adding finishing touches to their mosaic mirrors.
Colourful’ talents: Completed artworks by Rumah Hope children.
Appreciation: Rumah Hope presented their memento – mosaic mirror and batik handkerchief made by the children.
‘Art’ work pays off: Volunteer Wong Su Chin and Tamilarasan, 11, with his winning masterpiece.
IREKA CARES Farewell Party @ SENI Mont’ Kiara with Rumah Hope.