Teaching needy kids to seize life’s opportunities
PETALING JAYA: Its aim is to cultivate the spirit of sharing and build a caring society.
Non-governmental organisation VshareVcare is trying to make an impact on society through the education of underprivileged children.
“We believe in teaching them how to fish rather than giving them the fish,” said its director Andy Wong.
Among the orphanages VshareVcare has been involved with are Pure Life Society, Rumah Hope, Rumah Ilham, Shelter 5, Rumah Shalom and Kompleks Kanak-kanak Darul Kifayah.
It was founded in 2008 by a group of university students, graduates, teachers and volunteers who taught at orphanages during the weekends.
Today, Wong works with hundreds of volunteers in various community projects, going beyond race and religion.
He estimates that they have taught about 300 children so far.
He recalled that the principal of the first orphanage the organisation approached back then was apprehensive when told of its intentions.
“He asked us if we were sure because there were many people who tried teaching the children, but gave up after a while because the children didn’t want to learn,” said Wong.
He said most of the children were from broken families or left abandoned, and did not see value in themselves.
Wong said they used a holistic “ABC” approach of emphasising the academic aspect with balance and communication, with each child given a mentor to monitor their progress.
He said the aim was for the children to at least pass their SPM examination, so that they could have more choices later in life.
“These choices are important for everybody,” he said, adding that they could even try working in Singapore if they wanted.
Wong added that many criminals came from orphanages and broken homes.
“We can’t say that they are not our problem. There are many more who need our help,” he said of the underprivileged children.
VshareVcare project officer Nadratun Naim said the group also organised charity car washes, where volunteers of different backgrounds came together to raise funds for the orphanages.
She added that they were supported by a “Little Volunteer team”, an initiative set up to allow privileged children to serve the less fortunate.
“We want to teach children to appreciate what they have and to not take things for granted,” she said.