On a bright & sunny morning (today), 11 cars and 4 motorcycles headed to the Sekolah Sinar Harapan located at Jalan Permatang Rawa Satu (Bukit Mertajam).With a very enthusiastic team of 24 people from 5 stores, we were looking forward to bringing some fun and Raya cheer to the under-privileged children of this school.
This event was organized under the C.E.C program (Elena's mini market) but for the first time, we made this a community event as well.
With this in mind, we roped in all 5 Prai stores to participate in the program:
With this in mind, we roped in all 5 Prai stores to participate in the program:
#116 Megamal Pinang,#125 Carrefour Prai,#174 Juru DT,#181 Caltex Sunway and #227 Jusco Seberang Prai City
All SMs supported by their Managers,CSMs,Star and Crew came to give their raving support. Even Kartina came to give a helping hand. Everyone was in high spirits and had fun bringing joy to the under-privileged children.
Sekolah Sinar Harapan is managed by a voluntary N.G.O body and the Persatuan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal Seberang Prai Tengah. The school mostly relies on donations from the public and the private sector companies even though it does receive a small annual grant from the Welfare Department.
The school was established on 6.1.86, with humble beginnings – using a converted car garage as its first venue. It only moved in to the current address in 1.6.00.
Presently it has 72 students, with age ranging from 1 – 21 years of all races/both sexes.
The school operates from 8:30am – 12:30pm (Mon-Fri).
These children suffer from various types of mild to moderate degrees of mental handicap (Down Syndrome/retarded/mentally challenged).
Presently it has 72 students, with age ranging from 1 – 21 years of all races/both sexes.
The school operates from 8:30am – 12:30pm (Mon-Fri).
These children suffer from various types of mild to moderate degrees of mental handicap (Down Syndrome/retarded/mentally challenged).
The school’s aim is to help these special children achieve independence (self reliance) and to lead an active life in society.
The school’s principal En. Mohamad Zubir Zabidi gave a welcome speech and thanked us for the visit, the contribution and time spent with the children. A lovely joget dance was performed by 6 children.
During ‘makan’ time, everyone had fun laughing and feeding or even just sitting down with them. It was during this time that we found out that Mgr Khairul #181 actually had a ‘fanatic fan’ from a lovely child named Adila - she called Khairul ‘Mawi’!
Later, goody bags and balloons were distributed to the children – this certainly brought more smiles from them! Hamburglar, Birdie and Grimace made special appearances as well.
Soon, it was time for us to leave. It was a sad feeling for some of us but we were glad though, that McDonald’s brought some fun and laughter to these children this morning.
And as we walked to our cars, we reminded ourselves to always be grateful for what we have.
And yes, we felt that “warm,fuzzy,good feeling” in our hearts, for having been part of this splendid C.E.C community program!
Soon, it was time for us to leave. It was a sad feeling for some of us but we were glad though, that McDonald’s brought some fun and laughter to these children this morning.
And as we walked to our cars, we reminded ourselves to always be grateful for what we have.
And yes, we felt that “warm,fuzzy,good feeling” in our hearts, for having been part of this splendid C.E.C community program!
Written by Kartina Ramli
14th Oct 2008
Lay Yong: “We should feel grateful with what we own, show loving care and help under-privileged kids.”
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