Post-Language Camp Report

Just a brief report about our Language Camp - our maiden joint effort between the Mentari Volunteer Tuition Project and the Atmah Foundation on 6th December 2008 at the 3C Complex. we were part sponsored by YB Nik Nazmi (food for all kids) and MPSJ (folders, hampers, facilities and room). Things went smoothly the first half of the day which centred around team dynamics activities ( Team name, Cheer and Motto) and a Trivia quiz - video Math Q from Afif - mind-boggling for facis but kids lapped it up, English the Tim way, Malaysiana Yasir style and Optical Illusions courtesy of Ema and Yasir that intrigued the kids and facis alike.

Things were going well and we had both old and new facis who came to lend a hand and it was good to see the new faci dynamics between the Atmah facis and our Mentari kids and vice versa. The Atmah kids had to handle Malay when interacting with our Mentari facis and our Mentari kids had to use English more when working with or Atmah facis. The kids were beginning to see each other beyond the labels of race and colour when something happened to test our resolve. In order to deal with this incident effectively, all the facis decided that it was more important that this incident be a learning point that all of them will then use as part of their moral compass. We cut short the camp and postponed the Scavenger Hunt ( an Atmah activity - artful and stimulating) to another day, kept all hampers and folders donated by MPSJ and individual presents for another day. 

The next language camp will be held as soon as we can find a suitable date for both Mentari and Atmah plus 3C. We hope to include awards and certificates for our Mentari kids at the same time as part of the Camp's closing activities. We will be having a faci retreat on the 3rd of Jan at the BAKA resort in Morib. More details will be given later and it's self financing ( we go Dutch) and open to all volunteers - past, present and future.

To all facis , old and new who donated their time and energy to the camp (especially Imran who came back just in time) and Mentari all this while,  thank you will; always be an understatement. 

To our newly adopted siblings at Atmah, it was great working with you and this is just a glitch in a relationship that will continue as we work together for a better future for our kids and country.

To our patron, the patient and always supportive  Cikgu YB - thank you for starting this journey and for working with us to make it sustainable and meaningful for all.

Salam Aidil Adha everyone and Seasons' Greetings . We pray for peace , serenity and clarity in these last days of 2008 and safety for those on the road and living on/near the hill slopes of Klang Valley. Our prayers go out to all those unfortunate souls..

mh