children's party...

at a random suggestion of a group of friends (5 of us) somewhere in Oct 2010, we decided to do something special and different for this year's Christmas celebration.

we felt since now that we are working and are financially able too, its time give back something to the community during this special festive season. since i work in a rural area where there are lots of children who are from poor socio-economic background, we decided to have a small children's party at my clinic.

we short listed a group 20 children from the Program Kurang Zat Makanan (a goverment food program for underweight children due to poverty) and CBR (Community Based Rehabilatation)

programme (etc; children with cerebral palsy, Down's syndrome etc).

among ourselves and also from the dental officer at KK Song, we managed to raise RM1,750 for this programme. with that money we are able to buy good clothes, toys and stationeries and made it into a gift pack for each of the children.

while my friends and i contributed financially, my simply great staff at KK Song helped out by personally informing all the mothers and children involved, wrapping the presents, getting the christmas tree ready and organizing the games and events for the party. too help reduce the cost for the party, they bought all the raw materials and cooked it themselves. some even stayed up till 4am making karipaps and sweet delicacies for the party.

on the day itself, 16 of the 20 children invited turned up. that was still a good number.

i was initially worried more than half might not turned up cause most of the ibans go back to their longhouses in the ulu on the 31st.

otherwise it was a great day. we had games like passing the parcel and musical chair. since we didnt have enough of chairs, so we played musical chairs without the chairs.

the mother/child who sits on the floor last when the music goes off, had to do a "punishment" like dancing or singing. it was hilarious seeing how the mothers tried to get out of the punishment by trying to place the blame on the kids.

it was nice to see so many happy smiling faces running around.

it does bring a glow to the heart seeing how excited they are when opening their presents, playing with their new toys or trying on their new clothes/dresses. some are just happy to gobble down on their chocolates

and the parents are just happy with the food provided.

of course not all the kids were to happy to see me. some started crying the moment they set their eyes on me no doubt due to bad memories of being poked by me in the clinic during previous visits.

this kid in particular remembered me with a vengeance. the expression of his face says it all.

all bad blood and animosities were put aside once he got his chocolates and presents.

at then end of the day it truly is true that you feel better when you give rather than receive during Chirstmas. a special thanks to all those who have contributed to make this party a success. god bless you all.