Bear-y happy day for children
SOME 300 children from four homes were gifted with teddy bears and treated to a fun-filled day in conjunction with International W orld Teddy Bear Day at KL Gateway Mall.
The children were from Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, Rumah Kebajikan An Najjah, Rumah Charis and Ti-Ratana W elfare Society.
The celebration is a collaborative effort by the Education Ministry, KL Gateway Mall and The Giving Bank.
Various activities were held for the children, such as colouring, clowns demonstrating tricks and story telling by a Mr Bean impersonator.
A campaign called “Donate a Huggable Teddy Bear” was also launched.
The Giving Bank president Janson Ang Chee W ee said: “W e are encouraging the public to donate their own huggable teddy bear, or a new teddy bear to children who are in hospitals.
“W e have targeted two hospitals, namely Pusat Perubatan Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
“The campaign runs till Dec 20 and in an effort to put a smile on the children’s faces, we are targeting to give out all these donated teddy bears on Christmas eve.”
Rumah Kebajikan An Najjah warden Rosnah Junid said such programmes are a good means of exposure for the children.
“There should be more activities like these for children who are in need of care, attention and love,” she added.
Nur Hameeda Saiful Lok, 13, from Rumah Kebajikan An Najjah, said she was happy to be a part of the celebration.
Rumah Charis coordinator Pau Chiong Kui said: “Having programmes like these is a good way for the children to socialise with others.”
Deputy Education Minister Datuk P. Kamalanathan was also at the event. — By SANDHYA MENON