Archive for October, 2008

Taking on the drive to the refugee camp was not an easy one. For one, I’m used to automatic cars and have not driven a manual car for the longest time. Beyond the psychomotor issue, the greater issue was the children that I’m transporting.

Arriving at the refugee camp, it was a stirring experience. Imagine 8000 people being kept behind a barb-wired fence, the place reminded me of the gloom of a german concentration camp. As we drove through the military check points, children would start running towards the fenceline in anticipation of the things that we were about to give.

Prior to this trip, I had not the slightest idea of the history of these Hmong refugee. So there I was helping out with the logistics distribution of slippers to some of these refugees. My heart was stirred despite not knowing their history, it was something in their eyes which seemed so hopeless.

I returned to Singapore shortly after the trip and I searched up the history and plight of these Hmong refugees.

Watching video testimonials of these hmong refugees over youtube, I understood the pain these people went through. Family members mutilated, raped and tortured to death.

The scenes were overwhelming and tears were rolling profusely down my cheeks. The heart wrenching feeling was beyond words, compelling me to kneel down and pray for these people. I did not know what to pray, I just told the Lord to make a miracle happen for these people.

Unknowing to me, a miracle has already been set in motion.

Allow me to take a break from the history series *grinz* and blog something different.

Right now, I’m taking a short break from all the meetings and work, to get some rest in the mountain resort of Genting. For many this a city of sin but to me its my hiding place where I can tuck myself away in a little room to spend time reading and reflecting.

It has been more than a year since I’ve got a chance to spend some quiet, quality moments to myself.

Just yesterday, I visited my favorite unhealthy fast food joint – KFC to get my fix on the REAL KFC chickens. Something which I miss, somehow the Singapore KFC chickens just do not match up to the taste and flavour of the the malaysian versions

Yes. So there I sat savouring my chicken when I saw this old, slightly senile lady walking into the fast food outlet. She was probably 70-80 years of age and wrinkles were showing all over her face. 2 young KFC staff who were off duty smiled at her and gestured to her to sit next to them. The age gap would easily span 60 years but what that transponded between these malay kids and the old lady was heart warming.

To understand each other, they made hand gestures and one boy used his hands to ask her if she was hungry. She nodded. Before I knew it, the other malay boy made his way to the food counter, reappearing with a small plate of leftover wedges.

The old lady savoured the wedges and the boys just sat there quietly watching her eat. One boy seeing her, walked to the next table to bring her some chilli sauce.

I was terribly stirred as I saw how the actions of 2 young malay boys made a difference to this old lady. The old lady’s eyes sparkled with acceptance and it was not the food, it was the 2 young malay boys that made a difference to this lady.

This set me thinking about how sometimes Singaporean kids are so absorbed in their own world that we forget about needs out there.

Its sad when I see our younger generation gaining agression & ambition and losing compassion. So much so that the government get CIPs going in schools and having to remind us to be nice through courteousy campaigns.

Through the few months working with HIV children in the orphanage, I realised the importance of the physical touch. I observed many volunteers keeping a distance for the fear of being accidentally infected by the HIV kids.

I remembered whenever I held the hands of the HIV children, they would look at me and gently smile. Its like they have found someone who will accept them for who they are. That simple gesture of holding their hands means so much.

Slowly I learnt that it is the actions which speaks louder than words. A simple sincere hug trancends language, race and cultural barriers. In my heart grew a yearning to reach these groups that have been marginalised, groups that others will not want to reach due to the stigma involved.

Volunteers stay away from the HIV children for fear. I attempt to draw near to bring hope.
Some religious people keep their distance from the prostitutes/drug addicts and likes. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, a chance to change and lead a new life.

Towards the last week of the stay at the orphanage, I was asked if I wanted to help to drive to a refugee camp. I reluctantly agreed, feeling a sense of attachment and wanting to spend more time with the HIV children.

But I decided to channel my effort to where its needed the most and there I went. It was this short 3 day trip that put a new yearning in my heart.