SHELTER added a significant milestone to its journey in 2006. This year, SHELTER turned a quarter century old!
Turning the clock back to 1981, we see seven friends at one of the ubiquitous teh-tarik stalls, engrossed in an animated discussion. The subject of their discussion was: How to help disadvantaged children. In particular, they were talking about some children from a squatter settlement along Old Klang Road. By the end of the evening they concluded that the best way to help them was through giving them tuition, in the hope that with a good education and improved school performance, the children would eventually aspire for, and attain a better standard of living.
Twenty-five years on and just like a seed which grows into something that looks very different – in fact, unrecognizable – from its original form, the friends’ simple act of giving tuition to some disadvantaged children has grown into an oak tree of a mission: Giving children at risk a childhood and a future by protecting, guiding, healing them and by building loving families and strong communities.
Led by its Executive Director, James Nayagam, who is also the founder, today, SHELTER is widely known to the public as a home for abused, abandoned or neglected children and young people ( 4 – 18 years old). Other key areas of complementary welfare services include providing therapy, guidance and assistance to families experiencing difficulties with child behaviour, teenage problems or family conflict; providing food and financial aid to poor families with children; training child-care workers who work with abused children; co-ordinating a single mothers’ support network; running a youth activity centre that is designed as a safe place for youth to “chill out”; and providing assistance to juveniles in Kajang with the hope of giving them a second chance of self-development whether academically or otherwise. All of SHELTER’s services are provided free of charge.
In the course of this time span, SHELTER has held the hands of over 600 children and young people as they crossed the bridge over their disturbing past, to new pastures where the healing of hearts and minds can take place.
According to James Nayagam, the 25 years have been a journey of discovery. The process of learning about working with children has been long and winding with many surprising finds along the way. The lessons learned never end. Neither does the journey.
There must be a continuous process of learning to find new and effective ways of helping children in difficult situations. The fact that SHELTER has been in service for 25 years and continues to do so, simply means that the task of eradicating abuse, neglect or abandonment of children has not been completed and will probably never be completed. Therefore, this journey cannot end as long as there are children who need to be protected.
As the curtain fell at the end of the 25th anniversary year, it can be said that SHELTER’s 25th anniversary was a time of Celebration – it was a celebration of hope and of healing for each child. And a celebration of the charitable spirit of the generous public or the community.
It was a time of Forgiveness. It was a time to ask for the forgiveness of any child who has been put at risk, where we have failed or have been found lacking in our parental or civil responsibilities. And it was also a time to forgive, to let go of pains and hurts of the past. To start anew. With Hope.
Diary of SHELTER’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
25th Anniversary Theme (January 2006): The theme, “Silver Linings” (from the saying “Every Cloud has a Silver Lining”) was chosen as it aptly encapsulated the work which SHELTER does with children at risk, and the changes which it witnesses. For every abandoned, neglected or abused child who has entered SHELTER, we have seem how, with patient love and nurturing, a glimmer of Hope will eventually shine through for the child, despite the dark cloud of the past. This theme comes to life when we see that we all can, in our own ways, be a “silver lining” for someone.
Being a Silver Lining (January 2006): In the spirit of the theme, the launch of the 25th anniversary celebration was symbolized by the commencement of SHELTER’s own welfare initiative, “Silver Lining”, which saw its youth visiting an old folks’ home. The aim was to be a ‘silver lining’ to the residents by spending time with them and cheering them up. This initiative was a first and is expected to continue.
“This is a good experience for me. Growing up in SHELTER, I am fortunate to receive help and encouragement from so many kind people. Now I want to learn to care for others less fortunate than myself. I don’t have money to give but I can give my time to cheer up these elderly aunties and uncles.” Enthused Steven, who is 17 years old.
Family Day (March 2006): “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”, as the saying goes. The very big SHELTER family – made up of staff and their families, SHELTER children and young people and volunteers – showed that they were certainly not dull people. The Family Day, which had a carnival air about it, was an absolute hit!
Sharing Knowledge and Experience to Benefit More People and Organisations: SHELTER Public Seminar for Child Care Workers (July 2006): SHELTER conducted an educational event for non-governmental organizations on child care issues. This well attended event acted as a forum for the 90 participants to share lessons learned as well as best practices and challenges faced by child care practitioners.
Launch of SHELTER’s Manual for Residential Homes for Children (July 2006): The manual was based on SHELTER’s own experiences and contained a compilation of key learnings, operational principles and practices. It was presented to all the participants at the pubic seminar.
SHELTER ISO 9001:2000 (ongoing): The compilation of SHELTER’s Manual for Residential Homes for Children forms part of the process of SHELTER’s pursuit of ISO accreditation for its operations. The objective of accreditation is to further enhance SHELTER’s commitment and demonstration to the public of its commitment, accountability and transparency.
Launch of “Silver Lining: Hope for a Childhood and a Future” – a book (September 2006): This book is the result of a collaborative effort by various writers for SHELTER. In the Foreword, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, Dato’ Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, commented that much has been written about a child’s right to care and protection, and about families and society. She noted that most of the writings on this subject have been done by professional practitioners and scholars in the field. In comparison, Silver Lining is refreshing in that it has garnered the knowledge and views of both professionals and a good cross-section of concerned individuals. She also commented that Silver Lining does not pretend to know it all, and nor does it prescribe solutions. But, as a Native American saying goes, “It takes a thousand voices to tell a single story,” and this is what the book is about. The various voices in the book tell, in unison, the story of how children are any culture’s greatest natural resource which must be protected and nurtured with love and respect. It is a book about advocacy.
Tucked away in the book are hidden gems of childhood stories by various celebrity role models such as N.Mohanadas was one of the first two Malaysians to conquer Mt.Everest; Nicol David who is Malaysia’s and the world’s squash champion; Jaclyn Victor, the first Malaysian Idol; Datin Paduka Sharifah Mazlina Syed Abdul Kadir, the first Malaysian – and the first Asian woman – solo expeditor to the Antarctic; and Colin Kirton, a well-received playwright and director.
Priced at Rm39.95, “Silver Lining” is available for sale at selected MPH bookstores.
SHELTER Charity Dinner (September 2006): The 25th anniversary celebration activities culminated in the Charity Dinner. Nearly 1,000 guests, comprising friends, supporters and donors of SHELTER shared in this momentous climax to the anniversary year. The evening sparkled as guests were entertained by celebrities like Jaclyn Victor, the first Malaysian idol; violin virtuoso Joanne Yeoh; talented singer and composer Juwita Suwito; and the evergreen band, Alleycats, who all donated their time and talents freely to make the charity dinner the success that it was. Not to be outdone was the ‘stomping’ performance by the children and young people of SHELTER.
Being a Silver Lining (How you can help): SHELTER provides all of its services free of charge. It is always mindful and thankful that this can only be made possible through public donations, including the support of individuals, the Government and the corporate sector. Indeed, SHELTER depends on everyone to be a part of its mission, “Giving children at risk a childhood and a future.” As Juwita Suwito, who performed for SHELTER’s Charity Dinner, attested, “I decided to be part of SHELTER’s 25th anniversary because this is an organization that I trust and am familiar with. They have been around for a quarter of a century and have contributed to the nurturing and growth of children who were neglected, abandoned or abused.” |