Category

Compassion

May 22

Killer landslide hits Hulu Langat orphanage

By Compassion
One of the injured children being taken into Ampang Hospital after the landslide at Rumah Anak Yatim Hidayah in Hulu Langat (photo from thestar.com.my)

One of the injured children being taken into Ampang Hospital after the landslide at Rumah Anak Yatim Hidayah in Hulu Langat (photo from thestar.com.my)

KAJANG: A landslide hit an orphanage Saturday (21st May 2011) afternoon killing 13 and leaving three still buried.

Firemen and villagers managed to pull out nine soon after the landslide hit Rumah Anak Yatim Hidayah, Madrasah Al-Takwa, Jalan Felcra Semungkus, 14th mile, Hulu Langat, near Kajang at 2.30pm.

At 10.45pm, a boy was pulled out alive after being buried for over eight hours.

The dead and alive have been sent to the Ampang and Kajang Hospitals.

“Two landslides occurred simultaneously. All the victims did not have time to escape,” said Selangor CPO Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah at a press conference at 6.45pm.

A total of 49 students and caretakers were there but 24 escaped unhurt.

The orphanage was partially buried by the landslides at about 2.30pm on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Deputy IGP Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said that rescuers were being hampered by wet soil and rain.

He also appealed to the crowd of onlookers to stay back and allow the rescuers to do their work unimpeded.

Bernama reported that in Alor Gajah, Malacca, Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil directed the Social Welfare Department and the ‘Skuad Sayang’ (Caring Squad) to provide immediate assistance to the orphans and family of the victims.

“I will get in touch with the police to obtain detailed information and the actual cause of the landslide so that my ministry can take follow-up action to assist the victms,” she said.

[source: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2011/5/21/nation/20110521165352&sec=nation]
May 21

妈妈老了

By Compassion, Photography
曾经的

曾经的

妈妈老了，这是早就知道的事实。已是第三次做寿了，能不老吗？但原来这只是头脑知道，心里压根儿没认同过，一直到最近回家才不得不承认。妈妈炒的菜怎么再也不清脆可口了，分不出是菜汤还是炒菜。妈妈的厨艺一直来都是家人的最爱，虽然偶尔失手过，但还没吃厌过。以前学炒菜时，妈妈说最重要的是掌握火候，还有千万不要加水，加入少许蒜头即可炒出一道清脆可口的菜肴。可是如今，我看到的是妈妈放入青菜后，隨即是加入一碗水，不像是炒菜，倒像是在燜菜。吃在口里，食不知味，QQ的口感没了，熟悉的味道全没了。看在眼里，痛在心里，心里完全知道这是怎么一回事，因为妈妈再也无法咀嚼清脆的青菜了。

想一辈子当母亲眼中的小孩

妈妈一生辛劳，养育九个子女，即使是挺个大肚子，依然砍柴挑水干粗活。实在不愿相信那个曾经走在你身旁为你挡风遮雨的背影有天在你不警觉时竟会落在你身后，而你必须在人群中搜寻她的踪影。

不愿接受那个曾经紧握你小手越过马路的双手有天需要你扶一把，等她一会儿，耐心地牵她过马路。

不愿接受前一刻明明彼此才互相起劲谈话，才一会儿，她竟然坐著呼呼地睡著了。做子女的不愿接受母亲会老的事实，想一辈子做母亲眼中的小孩，当永远的孩子，享受母亲的呵护。忘了自己已经身为人母，依然沉醉在记忆中儿时的妈妈，那个不知何为疲惫，时刻精力充沛，终日为家人奔波的身影。硬朗敏捷的身子再也无法抵挡岁月的侵蚀，真是岁月催人老啊！

身为最小且最迟出嫁的女儿，今年终於有机会第一次替妈妈拜寿，心里祈祷这不是唯一的一次。我对妈妈说，希望你健健康康，长命百岁，因为我希望往后还能为你拜寿。妈妈感慨地说不知是否还能等到另一个十年，同辈的只剩下两三个了。对一个年长者，能健康的再活十年確实是个奢侈的梦想，这何尝不也是子女的一个奢望呢？

回娘家，回娘家，实在不敢想像没有娘在的娘家，回去时会是甚么苦涩滋味？出嫁的女儿可以回娘家实在是一种幸福。有天这种幸福感只能在记忆中去追溯了。

[文：丽华，刊登于星洲日报副刊]
May 20

A blessing in disguise

By Compassion, Photography
in a little world of strangers (taken in Voyage Travellers Lounge, Melaka)

in a little world of strangers (taken in Voyage Travellers Lounge, Melaka)

When I began planning to move to Auckland to study, my mother was a little worried about the uncertainty of living in a place that was so different from India, where we lived. She worried particularly about a lack of jobs, cultural differences and racism.

Despite these concerns, I came to New Zealand in July 2009. I have found the place and people to be very gracious and supportive. Soon after I arrived, I realised the importance of getting a job to supplement my living allowance.

Determined to do this on my own, I spent a whole day going door-to-door asking for a job, but found little or no response. This became my daily routine after college for a few weeks.

One afternoon, I walked into a building to ask if there were any job opportunities. The people there were all stunned, and advised me not to continue my job search in that manner. As I was about to leave, a client in the building, who had been listening to what the others had said, approached me and asked if I would wait outside. Fifteen minutes later, he returned. He asked me what my plans were and encouraged me to stay positive. He then offered to take me to the Royal Oak area to search for a job.

I was a little baffled, but had a good feeling about him and so I went along. Along the way, I realised that I had run out of résumés. The man stopped at his business partner’s office to make me 15 extra copies. He also gave me self-presentation tips on dressing and speaking, and added that I should give him a call if I ever needed anything. I handed out my résumés and went home feeling very satisfied. The following day, I received a call from a store in Royal Oak offering me a job.

It seems that the world always gives back to you when you need it. And this time, it was a complete stranger who turned out to be a real blessing.

[source: http://www.rdasia.com/a-blessing-in-disguise]
May 13

Make time for parents to avoid empty nest syndrome

By Compassion
empty nest syndrome (cartoon by John McPherson)

empty nest syndrome (cartoon by John McPherson)

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil today urged children to make more time for their parents to avoid them from suffering the Empty Nest syndrome.

The Women, Family and Community Development Minister said children should stop giving parents excuses such as a busy schedule as it may cause them sadness, a sense of loss and loneliness.

She said mothers and fathers may grapple with the syndrome following sadness and depression after their children leave home to start a new life in studies, work or marriage.

According to Shahrizat, a study by the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) found that 41 per cent of parents aged above 60 suffered from loneliness.

Speaking to reporters after launching the “Kasihnya Ibu” exhibition in conjunction with the national-level Mother’s Day celebrations at the National Art Gallery, near here, she said the percentage is expected to rise should nothing be done to rectify the situation.

“Don’t use busy schedules as a reason, it is a child’s responsibility to care for and protect their aged parents,” she said.

In line with the Mother’s Day theme of “Sentiasa Ada” (Always There), she said although technology helps to keep family members connected it cannot replace a person”s actual presence.

Also present at the exhibition was the Prime Minister’s mother, Tun Rahah Mohd Noah, Deputy Women, Family and Community Development Minister Senator Heng Seai Kie and National Art Gallery director-general, Datuk Mohd Yusof Ahmad.

In conjunction with Mother’s Day, the ministry is also providing free health screenings to mothers at 56 LPPKN Nursejahtera clinics until May 15.

[source: http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Maketimeforparentstoavoidemptynestsyndrome_saysShahrizat/Article/#ixzz1M1ekqreY]
May 08

Two little friends… united by courage

By Compassion
Here's how to do it: Ellie (right) shows off her new prosthetic leg to Charlotte, who hopes to get her first pair in a few months

Here's how to do it: Ellie (right) shows off her new prosthetic leg to Charlotte, who hopes to get her first pair in a few months

Smiling together, the two pretty blonde girls could easily be mistaken as sisters, not new friends with a unique bond.

The lives of Ellie Challis and Charlotte Nott have taken almost identical paths. Both started life as healthy babies — until they contracted meningitis and had to have all of their limbs amputated.

The incredible survival story of Ellie, now seven, gripped the nation after she fell ill in 2005 at just 16 months old. And in December, three-year-old Charlotte narrowly survived the illness, but at the cost of her arms and legs.

‘Charlotte put her stumps up against Ellie’s to say hello,’ said  her mother Jenny Daniels, 29,  yesterday. ‘She was so happy to  see someone else with stumps just like hers.

‘Ellie was great — she showed Charlotte that she could get around easily with or without prosthetic legs and Charlotte hobbled after her. It was very special.’

Hello, pet: Seven-year-old Ellie, who contracted meningitis in 2005, makes friends with the lambs during a day at a farm

Hello, pet: Seven-year-old Ellie, who contracted meningitis in 2005, makes friends with the lambs during a day at a farm

Ellie’s parents Lisa, 37, and Paul, 47, have helped her learn to walk on prosthetics, start school and ride a bike. ‘I know exactly what Jenny is going through,’ said Mrs Challis.

‘I remember thinking that Ellie would never have a normal life. But it’s great that we’ve been able to show Charlotte and her family that there’s very little Ellie can’t do.’

Charlotte’s parents – Jenny, an administrator for a book publisher, and air conditioning repairman Alex Nott, also 29 – are just starting to come to terms with what has happened to their daughter.

You have a go: Little Ellie is all smiles as she shows a curious Charlotte how to operate the wheelchair

You have a go: Little Ellie is all smiles as she shows a curious Charlotte how to operate the wheelchair

‘When Charlotte caught meningitis, my world fell apart. I was terrified about what the future held for her,’ said Miss Daniels.

‘So to see Ellie running around was so special to me – it has given me hope for Charlotte’s future.’
Ellie became the youngest person ever fitted with £10,000 carbon ‘flex-foot’ legs two years ago.

Ellie also let Charlotte have a go on her wheelchair – it is too tiring for her to use her prosthetic legs all the time. She controls it with the stumps of her arms.

I'll race you: Charlotte (left) and Ellie giggle together as they get behind the wheels of toy cars

I'll race you: Charlotte (left) and Ellie giggle together as they get behind the wheels of toy cars

Charlotte will have to wait until she is five before the NHS can provide her with a wheelchair.

She hopes to get her first pair of prosthetic limbs in the next few months once her wounds heal.

‘I still say thank you every day that Charlotte is still here with us,’ said Miss Daniels.

‘Watching her playing with Ellie was a miracle.’

[source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1383674/Two-little-friends–united-courage-Amputee-victims-forge-firm-friendship-contracting-meningitis.html]
Apr 29

康乃馨的悄悄话

By Compassion, Photography
Khmer mother

Khmer mother

爱已经存在在某个角落，是你从不留意的角落。我们是否从不稀罕人家对我的善意，我们甚至会猜想他们是否对我们有企图心。

可是有一种爱，你可以不用怀疑，那就是母亲的爱。打从我降生在这个世界上，当我张开小小的眼睛，我愣住一个人的样貌，她是多么亲切、熟悉的脸孔。

从那时，我开始领悟，我的生活不能缺乏母亲。她负责照料三餐，每一日做家务，把家里打理得井井有条。

母亲是一把雨伞，为我阻挡暴风雨。犹记小学时在学校被人欺负、被老师责骂，第一个想求助的人是母亲，心里极想快点放学回家，跟母亲倾诉我的苦处，抱著她的大腿稀里哗啦的哭。

十几年后，我渐渐长大，发现母亲的身躯越来越矮小。以前我们一起结伴同行，如今我的步伐待调整。我不能走得太快，否则她会落后，跟不上我的脚步。当我停下来，望著母亲年迈的脸孔以及矮小的身躯。我才领悟，岁月神偷已毫不留情地夺走了她最宝贵的青春。

身为儿女的我们，还有多少年日和机会报答母亲的恩情呢？我唯有祈祷上帝，利用我在世的年日，好好疼惜你，孝顺你这辈子。

[文：雄猫眼，刊登于星洲日报副刊]