SHELTER has a ‘reputation’. Many of the children and young people who were brought to SHELTER’s doorstep came from dysfunctional families. They have been victims of abuse, neglect and family conflicts. With such a ‘reputation’, visitors to our homes expect to encounter glum-looking, withdrawn and hostile children and young people.
So far, our visitors have been unfailingly surprised – pleasantly, of course. They are surprised to be greeted by friendly, helpful and rather inquisitive children: “They are so normal,” is a common remark from visitors.
We take such remarks as a compliment!
It is a compliment to our children and young people – for their fortitude in having endured the mental and physical anguish of their past; for their tenacity in travelling the painful and trying paths of facing up to their demons of the past, during their journey towards healing. To the children and young people of SHELTER we want to salute their unquenchable spirit of joie de vivre.
It is also a compliment to the visionary founders, the tireless staff and the big-hearted volunteers of SHELTER- the surrogate mummies and daddies, aunties and uncles and even grannies and granpas – who, by infusing SHELTER with a strong sense of family, have helped to make it a place to call ‘home’ for some 600 – love started, at-risk children and young people who have come under SHELTER’s roof since it first opened its doors in 1981.
Last but not least, it is a compliment to the caring Malaysian public who have opened their hearts and minds to SHELTER’s mission of giving children at risk a hope and a future and have wholeheartedly pitched in with their support of numerous charitable initiatives through their contribution of funds, talents and skills.
Indeed, SHELTER owes a big “Thank-you” to its valued donors, whose support and donations over the years have enabled SHELTER to provide adequately for the needs of the children and young people in its care and to carry out other services for the community and for families. It is estimated that in SHELTER’s 25 years of service, it has, aided by the public’s support, reached out and helped to make a difference for the better for some 15,000 lives. This rather considerable achievement is unquestionably a tribute to the caring Malaysian public.
Beribu-ribu Terima Kash Malaysia!
Some interesting notes on SHELTER’s Silver Jubilee celebrations
25th Anniversary Theme: We felt that the theme, “Silver Linings” (from the saying “Every Cloud has a Silver Lining”) aptly encapsulates the work that we do and what we witness at SHELTER. For each abandoned, neglected or abused child who has entered SHELTER, we have seen how, with patient love and nurturing, a glimmer of Hope eventually shines through for the child, despite the dark clouds of the past.
15,000 ways SHELTER has been a silver lining during the 25 years of service
Number of referral cases: 5200
Number of food aid cases: 1500
Number of kindergarten children: 6400
Number of counselling cases handled: 1600
Number of children in the home: 600
Celebrate with us in 2006: Various activities have been planned:
Family Day (for present and past SHELTER residents, staff and volunteers). This was held on 25 March 2006 at Sekolah Menengah Sri Sempurna, Sri Petaling. About 300 people came and had a whale of a time. There were clowns who did a magic show and balloon sculptures, lots of food which was generously sponsored by food companies, different games, a telematch and a song and talentime contest.
Educational seminar for non-governmental organizations, organized by SHELTER, entitled, “SHELTER Public Seminar for Child Care Workers”. This will be held at HELP University College on 6 July 2006.
ISO 9001:2001: During this seminar, based on SHELTER’s own experiences, we are compiling key learnings, operational principles and practices into a handbook, which we will be sharing with other non-government organizations in Malaysia. This handbook is in accordance with the ISO 9001:2001 certification which SHELTER is working towards, a first for a welfare organization.
A book: In 1989, 17 years ago, SHELTER published a book entitled, “Issues in Child Care Today,” which examined some of the social issues of the day. With the rising interest and concern regarding child care, particularly from the perspective of child protection, we felt it was timely to publish a new book which will contain helpful articles by noted professionals and individuals. This is to share our knowledge and experience to benefit more people and organizations.
Charity dinner: Sunway Lagoon Resort Hotel, 10 September 2006. The highlight of the public events of SHELTER 25th Anniversary celebrations is a charity dinner. AN interesting programme is being planned for the dinner. We have Juwita Suwito who has composed our theme song for the dinner, Jaclyn Victor, Malaysia’s first Malaysian Idol, Joanne Yeoh, a renowned violinist and the AlleyCats, one of the Malaysia’s well loved bands.
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