IREKA CARES’ ‘FISHY’ DAY OUT WITH RUMAH KANAK-KANAK ANGELS
Kuala Lumpur, 3 December 2012: IREKA CARES volunteers and children from Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels immersed themselves in the oceanic wonders at the Aquaria KLCC recently.
The exploration started at the interactive DNA touch pool where the children and volunteers observed and physically interacted with some exotic exhibits including sea cucumbers, horseshoe crabs, spotted starfish and bamboo sharks. After some fun acquaintances with animals like otters, water rats and electric eels, they proceeded to Level 2 where they were greeted by creatures of the wetland at the Malaysian Flooded Forest section.
The journey became even more exciting as the volunteers and children embarked on a mesmerising underwater discovery in the Oceanarium. Going through a 90-meter transparent underwater tunnel standing on a travelator was an eye opener for all. They were treated to close-range, face-to-face encounters with the ferocious Sand Tiger Sharks and Giant Stingrays, all within the ‘surreal’ environment of Green Turtles gliding through the corals and thousands of fishes swimming away from their deadly predators.
The exploration was capped off with the spectacular live show of Aquaria divers feeding these marine creatures in the Aquatheatre. Measuring 3 meters wide and weighing around 150 kg, the Giant Blotched Fantail Stingray, named Khudsiah, caught everyone’s attention. The diver, dressed in a Santa Claus costume, added to the festive mood as he navigated through the fishes and turtles.
After two hours of exploration, it was time to bid goodbye to the sea creatures. The children were promptly given one last surprise with some Aquaria memento for their remembrance.
“We hope to bring some recreational experience that is educational and practical for the children, that’s why it’s all ‘fishy’ business today,” said beaming Nor Fathiyyah, head of the CSR Action Committee. “As the children learned about aquatic life, we volunteers learned from the children about cherishing what life gives us,” she added.
Ireka Corporation Berhad’s Deputy Managing Director, Datuk Lai Foot Kong said, “What William and Belinda, the Home’s care givers, wished for the 12 children is for our volunteers to spend time with them on a regular basis. Therefore aside from refurbishment and repair works for their Home in the pipeline, we have planned out monthly fun-learning activities for the children throughout the whole term.”
Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels, IREKA CARES Year 3’s adopted Home, was set up in 2004 to provide shelter to underprivileged or abandoned children, between 5 to 16 years old. Ireka’s flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, IREKA CARES, had previously adopted Lighthouse Children’s Welfare Home (Year 1) and Rumah Hope (Year 2), with yearly themes namely Community, Arts, Recreation, Environment; and Sports.
Aquaria KLCC houses 5,000 aquatic animals within 60,000 sq ft state-of-the-art aquarium. It is the one-stop nature spot for visitors to learn and explore the diverse range of aquatic life, reptiles, amphibians, insects, invertebrates and many other land-bound animals.
Volunteer Nor Fathiyyah (front row, third from left) getting up close and personal with sea cucumbers.
Volunteer Rezuwa and Leon, 11 with the gigantic ‘Flooded Rainforest’ tube tank.
Ashley, 11 and volunteer Yvette being cheeky ‘underwater.
Volunteers and children witnessing a giant stingray swallowing its lunch fed by ‘Santa Claus’.
Volunteers and children ended the ‘fishy’ discovery in a jovial mood.