First Day (24/4/2015)

Have you ever felt your heart melting? Well, I have. On the the of 24 April 2015, me and my group of coursemates visited Rumah Juara Orphanage Home in PJ. Rumah Juara is set-up in 1998 to provide a home for orphans and abused and under-privileged children from ages 3-19 years old. The home is a safe haven that protects the children and provides for the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs. It seeks to develop them through academic and vocational training. The aim is to raise children who are secure in their identity, strong in character and equip with moral and godly values and good social skills. Rumah Juara is a home for children with different backgrounds: 

• Orphans (without parents or next-of-kin)

• Children from broken home who have been abused, abandoned or neglected

• Underprivileged children

• Children of single parent who are incapable of providing for their basic needs

As these destitude children normally come from broken homes, Rumah Juara also provides counselling and practical help to parents.

Rumah Juara

When we stepped into the house,the kids were so happy and excited to see us. After a brief introductory speech from the manager Miss Cecilia, the staff Mr. Michael gave us a short briefing about the children and the things that we can help out during the service. 

Miss Cecilia, Mr. Michael and my coursemates

Firstly, we did some cleaning and help out the children to keep their clothes and shoes as it was going to rain. The teamwork is so important as it made the cleaning task much more easier and efficient.

Me and my coursemates were cleaning

After we done with our cleaning, some of us gave tuition for the children and some of us taught them to type words in computer and also some simple operations of computer. The children were very happy and willing to learn new knowledge.

Tuition and Computer class

Next, me, Jacky and Kah Soon taught the children some basic guitar chords. The children were so excited when they were learning to play the guitar. They love it so much. Despite the young age, they are very talented and learning very quickly.

Guitar class

Finally, it's recreation time! We played chess and card games. We laughed and talked with the children. Jacky even dance with the children and the children were so energetic, jumping around here and there. 

Recreation time 

It was very heartwarming indeed to see what a close knit bunch they were, often playing around, laughed, fooling around with each other. As the time loomed closer, we were dreading the moment we would have to step out of the door. After cleaning up the place, and then we had to leave. The children were hugging our leg and asking us not to leave many many times. It was a touching sight as in just a few hours, those little children had made a place in our hearts and it was a moment that we would never forget. Till the next time we visit them again.

For me, it was not easy to take care of the children. Even though they are still very young, they are very curious and interested to know about new things, new technologies, new knowledges. In my humble opinion, we must appreciate what we have. Compared to the children in Rumah Juara, we were very lucky to have everything that we have right now. Often in life, we complaint and cursing the world when we are facing hardships but we should ask ourselves, are we really in the midst of hardships? Despite the circumstances that the children are having, they still having smiley faces, passion in life and eager to learn. Through this visit, I learn a lot. I should be more open minded and be more optimistic in life.

Alexander Choo Chia Chun 

KEE140001