Seeing life from the perspective of a special child
A write-up by Ravindran Raman Kutty, an avid writer, community worker, an award winning communications practitioner and a social activist, with a profound love for the environment, shares his views on the significance of corporate social responsibility. KUALA LUMPUR: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a buzzword today among corporations. It is now mandatory to do CSR for listed companies.
This is a great way to show that companies do take care of their stakeholders, especially the less fortunate ones. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to join my team in conducting our first CSR programme with the ‘Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Cacat Klang’ or Klang Spastics Centre on Friday, April 20th, 2018.
This centre is home to children who are not only disabled, but with a majority being orphans and some abandoned by their parents. I was greeted by smiles.
Priceless smiles. They were hopping and chirping away like squirrels and birds. No fear on their faces, no worries in their eyes, no clue of hampered feelings by ‘lesser abilities’.
Surrounded with an air of celebration due to our visit, while the more matured children seated calmly for the event to start, the younger ones ran around happily, with no pushing nor shoving amongst them. Nothing but happiness ruled that day.
On behalf of my boss, I kicked off the event by saying that many people or companies will come for a few hours, take beautiful pictures of themselves with the children and have it published in the media, saying they have done their part as CSR.
We, too, would leave in an hour or two, having had great fun and hoping to publish our pictures for the public to share. I am fascinated and in awe of the committee that manages this home.
Its chairman and founder, Mr Morgun, its director, Mr Low Chun Kee, the caretakers and caregivers offer and provide support and love to all these special children every single day.
Their tasks are not easy – these special children need close watch, attention and care. Some need to be fed; some need toilet assistance; some need physical aid to move and to speak.
Apparently when the caregivers begin their day at 6am, they are welcomed with faeces splashed on the walls and the floor, as well as possible tantrums of certain children, who are hyper-sensitive and hyperactive.
However, although seemingly drowned with their responsibilities, yet these caregivers seem happy in carrying out their duties. The commitment of Morgun and his team definitely demands a salute and high praise.
The children sang and danced for us, much to our glee and amazement at their talent and vigor to do their best. A few cracked voices here and there, but nothing broke their eagerness and enthusiasm.
Our emcee lost the microphone for a while, hogged by the children were overly eager to belt out more songs. Their synchronised and wellchoreographed dance steps were wonderfully graceful, with no teachers having to guide them throughout their performance. A group of special children with special talents and the utmost pride and joy to share such talent with us.
Leaving the home, I wondered about my perfect limbs and looks; nothing disabled or flawed. Then I reflected on my tendency to complain and compare about something or everything.
At a restaurant, we complain that the food is bad; on the road we complain about the other driver’s carelessness or ignorance of traffic rules; at the office, our boss is mean and unfair; at home, our spouse is constantly nagging.
Our lists of dissatisfactions can go on and on; we either complain or compare, or even combine both habits. What do these innocent special children complain about? Do they complain like how we normal people do? There was not a tinge of sadness throughout the occasion; only joy and laughter overflowing from every child be it one in a wheelchair, on crutches, with a limp, hearing impaired, semi-blind or suffering from cerebral palsy.
“God has reasons for making certain people part of our lives … I may not know his reason for bringing us together, but I‘m definitely thankful.”
God had a reason for this visit, I guess. I was only inspired to do more for these beautiful people and continuously remind myself that there is nothing to stop you from doing whatever you wish to do, rather than complain or gripe about every task or deed.
These children are a reminder to everyone who is sour, bitter, angry, upset, jealous or dissatisfied about life. Move on and push yourself further to be more appreciative of what you have and what you are endowed with.
There is no end to our grievances or dislikes. But now, you have a choice – visit a home for these special children, look at their lives, and then think again should you wish to complain about something.
CSR programmes are not only great for corporations’ images, but also to give us some amount of hope and restore sanity in our lives.
Though I have attended and organised more than 50 over CSR programmes for all the corporations that I have served, but this special children’s home has struck a chord in me.
The realisation of life is not just about worrying. It is about thinking of the less fortunate ones. Look not through your eyes, but through their eyes. Life is beautiful, so cherish it and savour it now. — Bernama