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So, now I have had four full days at the Ti-Ratana Welfare home, it is an incredible place and I have met some inspirational students, children and staff.
The project was only started 10 years ago and will accept any one in need, there is a children's home, an old peoples section, a womens sanctuary and even a a dog rescue home. I am working in the children's home that caters for children from birth through to 19.It is fundamentally Buddhist in its approach and there is a temple and evidence of this spiritual life all around.
The children are there for many different reasons, some of them have been abandoned and found on the streets, some are disabled so their parents dont want them, some are brought there because the level of poverty means their families just cant afford to feed and clothe them. Some of them have traumatic stories behind them and without sounding like a sentimental nerd I have been moved to tears.
My first day was spent teaching, we ran an art class in the morning which was completely chaotic because the children so rarely use paints or do anything creative that they go a bit mad! I then supported an English lesson for a few of the older students, two of whom do not currently go to school as they are refugees and have no papers - the education system will not acept them. So, any lessons they get are from volunteers.
On Sunday a function had been arranged by one of the homes sponsors, at 2pm 40 children, all dressed in traditional Chinese, Malay or Indian dress piled onto a bus (3/4 to a seat!) and we arrived at a 6 star hotel called The Palace of the Golden Horses - it was amazing and a beautiful place! The children were treated really well and they laid on 'high tea' which consisted of noodles and hot dogs and fruit - a weird combination but it seemed to work! The children then performed some songs and the older girls had choreographed an Indian dance.
One of the most surreal parts of the afternoon for me was the 15 minutes when I found myself reflecting on the situation - 40 Malay/Chinese/Indian orphans dressed up to the nines watching a Russian magician who wore a white Tuxedo in a 6 star hotel... just think about it!
The after noon also involved a boat trip and then icecream - the children obviously had a brilliant time, just not sure how they then felt getting back on the bus going back to dormitories and shared living with so many!
Yesterday was another full on day, teaching in the morning and then I had to go and change into posh clothes as myself, two Ti-Ratana staff members and another volunteer were invited to the Global Peace Tour 2009 which was taking place at the University of Malay, we were welcomed by some very well dressed dignitaries and their were varoius Embassy Ambassadors and the Deputy Prime Ministers Wife - sitting about 3 rows in front of us! In the evening we were taken to what is know as 'Air Con' China Town as it is indoor and is considered very up market!
Today - well, Christine (Events Manager and lovely) had told us there were some visitors coming to Ti-Ratana, we said we would help with the organisation and did some admin stuff in the morning and then accompanied her on the tours - the visitors were 100 Arab business workers who had made a donation and were coming for a visit - so at about 2.30 I found myself standing up in front of them giving a speech on my impressions as a volunteer..! How do these things happen to me???
Anyway - life is busy and pretty intense at times, I thought I would note down some of the Malay quirks I have come across!! :
There is no 4th floor in most apartment blocks and some hotels - no. 4 is considered very unlucky, they get around it by using 3A;
The language is very lilting and they love to add 'la' at the end of everything! For example, hello la!, Thank you la! Its actually quite endearing and you find yourself doing it without thinking!
They have some wonderful cold drinks here, they crush ice in everything, including coffee and if you buy at a cafe and you want it 'to go' then you have it in a plastic bag with a straw!
Shoes are taken of before you enter any home or working space, it is also bad manners and unlucky to walk in front of a buddah statue with your shoes on.
Rather disturbingly there are skin bleaching products on sale and these are frequently advertised on TV and in magazines... why such preoccupation with skin colour??? Its a bit depressing!
Anyhow - I am due to have a day off on Thursday so am planning to visit the Batu Caves - will write it up when I get a chance!
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