A FITTING END TO IREKA CARES’ PROGRAMME WITH RUMAH KANAK-KANAK ANGELS
Kuala Lumpur, 5 June 2014: It was a perfect day for an outing with the children of Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels to Perdana Botanical Gardens recently. The 8.00 am start did not deter volunteers from IREKA CARES (Ireka’s flagship corporate social responsibility programme) and the children from arriving bright eyed and busy tailed, ever ready to beat the scorching heat and to explore the well-manicured gardens of Perdana Botanical.
Some volunteers generously loaned personal scooters for the children to use, which added to the enjoyment of the outing. The day started with a briefing from Stanley Loo, Action Committee Head who ran through the morning’s programme and questionnaires were distributed to the six teams of volunteers and children to test their observational and listening skills as they wandered around the gardens.
The first stop was the Sunken Garden with its colourful shrubs and sloping plant beds decorated with Grecian pots. Then it was a leisurely stroll to the Tree Naming garden to learn about the many places in Malaysia that are named after trees – Melaka, Ipoh and Sentul, to name a few. The Herb Garden was equally interesting where we learnt about the medicinal and culinary uses of different herb species. En route round, we saw many different beautifully coloured orchids and perfectly manicured Bonsai trees which was part of an Orchid and Bonsai exhibition held at the Perdana Botanical Gardens.
Then we made our way to an open field for everyone to participate in a game of Charades. It was a great test of everyone’s acting skills which caused much laughter and teasing. The final destination was the Hornbill Restaurant at the Bird Park for lunch and a much needed rest after several hours on our feet! We were joined by Datuk and Datin Lai Foot Kong who were keen to hear all about the morning’s events. Datuk La is our Group Deputy Managing Director and the company’s CSR Steering Committee Chairman.
Finally it was time to bid the children farewell. This was IREKA CARES’ last outing with the Home and although some of us volunteers will continue to keep in touch with the children whom we have known for some 2 years now, it was however the official end of the programme with Rumah Kanak Kanak Angels.
Outgoing Action Committee Head, Stanley Loo summed up the day well, saying, “This is not goodbye but more like ‘see you later’ because I am sure our paths will cross again very soon. It has been enjoyable spending time with the children of Rumah Angels, as always, and I take this opportunity to wish them well in their futures.”
Group Deputy Managing Director and the company’s CSR Steering Committee Chairman, Datuk F.K. Lai said: “IREKA CARES programme has come a long way since we first started in July 2010, and we aspire to create significant impact for the fellow volunteers and the Homes we have adopted throughout the years aside from mere monetary contribution.”
He added that next year’s theme, which begins in July will be “Sports”. “This will be yet another fulfilling journey for IREKA CARES and our dedicated pool of volunteers will spread love, care and experience to put together another set of wonderful programmes and activities for the next term.”
Since its inception in August 2010, IREKA CARES volunteers had been initiating purposeful monthly activities for various adopted charitable homes. These weekend activities, all centres around different yearly themes, provide opportunities for the children to have fun and learn skills that will equip themselves when they leave the homes.
Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels was set up in 2004 to provide shelter to underprivileged or abandoned children, between 5 to 16 years old. This is the second time that IREKA CARES adopted Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels, as previously, the programme had adopted Lighthouse Children’s Home (Year 1), Rumah Hope (Year 2) and Rumah Kanak-Kanak Angels (Year 3), with yearly themes namely Community, Arts, Recreation, Environment and Sports which make up the CARES acronym.
(From left) Michelle, Ellise Beh, Ashley, Tiggy Munnelly, Abby, Grace Ng, and Vione Ha enjoying the green lush scenery at the Perdana Botanical Gardens.
Yvette Erin Rajah (in blue shorts) with her ‘kid-brother’ Leon.
IREKA CARES volunteers and children learning more about the names of the plants and shrubs at the Sunken Garden and Herb Garden in Perdana Botanical Gardens.
The children having a fun time playing Charades with IREKA CARES volunteers.
Fellow IREKA CARES volunteers who make this happen (from left): Datuk Lai Foot Kong, Irene Sim,
Wai Sue Yin, Tiggy Munnelly, Grace Ng, Yvette Erin Rajah, Vione Ha, Datin Lai, Ellise Beh, Alex Tan, and Stanley Loo
Finale doesn’t always mean goodbye, till we meet again!