Day care head on working with poor children
MIRI: Come Monday, the beginning of every week, Iriene Ulem dreads going to work where she has to face children under the care of Tudan Methodist Church’s learning centre.
It isn’t the workload that is burdening her; it isn’t also about the children being naughty which keeps her busy tidying up the classroom and book shelves; it isn’t even about the tiredness she often experiences, physically and mentally, after a day’s work.
“My heart is always heavy to see the bruises and wounds that some of the children have on their body. They seldom say anything about it but as teachers, we know. So, before the classes begin, we will nurse the bruises and wounds, giving some of them who come to us in a dirty condition a warm shower and tidying them up properly,” said the centre’s supervisor.
My heart is always heavy to see the bruises and wounds that some of the children have on their body. They seldom say anything about it but as teachers, we know. So, before the classes begin, we will nurse the bruises and wounds, giving some of them who come to us in a dirty condition a warm shower and tidying them up properly. Iriene Ulem, Tudan Methodist Church’s learning supervisor
The Untold Story Before the learning centre started its day care service, Tudan Methodist Church has conducted its Sunday class for many years for children aged between seven and 12 on Bible knowledge.
In 2014, the learning centre was established and registered as a sub- committee under the church for children aged four to six, who come from hardcore poor families to learn basic reading and writing.
“During the half- day class, they will be provided a meal and tea break and by noon, class will be dismissed and they are expected to head home to their family,” Irene said.
However, in April this year, she said the learning centre launched its full day care service for these children from 8am to 5pm, inclusive of three simple meals and tea breaks.
“We’ve seen these children loitering around Tudan, lingering around the rubbish dumping site, picking up whatever they thought could be eaten. It is heartbreaking and we figured that rather than letting them go around without purpose as they could be endangering themselves, perhaps we could take them in for a whole day where at least, they could play in a safe environment.”
The learning centre provides Montessori learning syllabus in the morning and physical training like gardening and craft-making in the afternoon.
When I visited the day care class recently, the children appeared to be shy but willing to interact with strangers like me. Iriene told me that every child has an untold story.
All the children, she said, had one or both parents working either odd jobs or jobs with basic wages, and were living around Tudan area.
“Life has been very hard and sometimes it was too much for the parents. They are living in a poverty-stricken condition without electricity and water supply. The children never knew about toys, or cartoons, or had fun at school; the parents didn’t bother about sending their children to school for education because they hadn’t enough money to send all (of them). They only send their children to school when they are financially okay.
“The hard life takes a toll on their emotion; the slightest mistake their children make would trigger them to lose their temper hence these bruises, the wounds from the caning the children had suffered.
“Some of our teachers who are new here, who didn’t understand the children’s condition, even went to the children’s home and got into arguments with the parents. There is nothing we could do to change it, but shower them with a lot of love as much as we could during day care.”
Having worked with the church and the centre for three years now, Iriene is lost for words to describe their condition but her love for these innocent children has taught her a lot about life.
“I feel sad and at the same time sympathy for them. I want to save them, hoping they could live a normal life like other children. They may be naughty, but they are like this for a reason. They have been emotionally scarred and we, as the teachers, want to shape them into a better person through our love and care.
“After they followed the full day care service, I’ve noticed that they have become happier and have fewer wounds than before. But it would still occur after weekends. Thus, we are not only a teacher but also their doctor, friend and even their father and mother,” she said in an emotional tone. Adoption programme Taking in these children for a full day means more is spent to cover their meals and teaching materials.
Upon registration, RM50 is paid per child as a one- off payment without any additional fees, said the church’s pastor-in- charge, Reverend Nicholas Tan.
“Basically, we estimate at least RM250 per child every month is needed to cover the salary of the teachers, cook and driver (to fetch the children) and food. Sometimes, the parents would pay a bit to help cover the expenses. But most of them can’t afford it. So, we have no choice but to rely heavily on occasional donations from church members and members of the public as well as church funds whenever needed,” Tan said, adding that the total expenses could run up to RM200,000 a year.
The church would also conduct home visitations to these families, updating them on the children under their care, bringing along dry food – sugar, rice, salt, beverages – as well as other daily necessities for them.
“We choose to give them food rather than money because we want to make sure that these children are well-fed and save parents time going shopping for these items. We also want to make sure that the parents do not misuse the money,”
To better help these children, Tan said the church has recently launched an adoption programme similar to the World Vision project that aims to help the children change their lives for the better.
“The adoption programme enables members of the public to ‘adopt’ a child under our care through a monthly donation of a minimum of RM250 to help cover the expenses. We have estimated the adoption programme to run for a year beginning from this month.
“Aside from financial assistance, the adopters could meet their adopted children (if they want), shower them with love and prayer that are much needed,” he said.
Those who wish to make a donation or need more information can contact Rev. Nicholas Tan (019854 8175) or Wong ( 013- 8213779). Donations can be made to Tudan Methodist Church’s official account – Gereja Methodist Tudan Miri 2, Public Bank A/C: 318- 622-2701.