Helping Angels

I just started tutoring some kids in a shelter recently. A friend invited me over last week and I sorta went over out of curiosity. I admit that I have never been one of those really noble person who does community services or voluntary work during my spare time. The most I can claim to be charitable is forking some monies out of my pocket for the occasional donations or buying books as gifts to the kids in the annual MPH Xmas Share-A-Gift Program.

During my years in school I have visited an old folk’s home and it just feels so sad to see the state of those elderly people staying there. This is partly why I don’t go to old folk’s home anymore. It is rather depressing and hard to imagine one of your relatives staying there. So, learn to appreciate your parents when they are around. They may nag you to death everyday but ultimately, they do so with good intentions.

This week was my 2^nd week going to the home. I was late by an hour last week cos I was stuck in the office rushing off some work so I was determined to be punctual this round. When I reached, some of the kids came running out to greet me and started ushering me to a table. There are approx 23 kids in Precious Home and their ages ranged from 2 to 16. They are not orphans but kids whose parents are unable to take care of them. The kids are so starved for attention that they fight with each other just to get a seat next to you. And they are so enthusiastic for you to teach them! It is endearing and so heartbreaking at the same time! Also, these kids are more well-behaved than the usual. No doubt there is the occasional poking, jibing and teasing but overall, they are like angels and will listen to you when you tell them.

I was ill prepared last week seeing I know nuts about tutoring kids. I went for tuition for all my life (for the most part of it) and it was more or less forced by my parents so I only knew about tutoring as the student, not as the tutor. I taught the kids basic Maths last week but found without a book, the kids lack focus. So this round, I got some workbooks and started teaching them using the books as a guide to gauge their level of understanding.

There was this little boy, aged 6 who is really intelligent. I taught him Std 1 syllabus and he managed to answer most of it even tho’ he didn’t know how to read much. Very endearing and a joy to teach. His thirst for knowledge is amazing! And I just need to teach him once; he could repeat it for me again after that. On the flip side, another boy aged 9 could hardly read! I was aghast! I repeated a couple of words but he still could not repeat it back to me. I think the current school system of allowing the kids to advance to the next level without passing their exams is not productive. They go thru school not learning and gaining much knowledge which somehow defeats the purpose!

Anyway, for those who are interested in lending a helping hand and giving something back to the community, join the Helping Angels inside Facebook and make a difference to the kids. It’s amazing how 2 hours of your time in a week can bring so much joy to them! The kids love you so much that they will ask you whether you will be coming to see them again next week and you find it hard to say no….

 

Precious Children Home
No. 11, Lorong 3/57A
46000 Petaling Jaya
Selangor (behind MPPJ Library Petaling Jaya)
Tel: 016 361 4733