We paint our love and care here on Joyful Home’s wall!
Day 1
Saturday July 28th 2012
On Saturday, Kechara Ipoh Study Group gave Joyful Home a new coat of paint. Led by So Kin Hoe, the team that made it happen consisted of Janice So, Lee Mei De, Ooi Teik Teong, Chan Weng Khong, Sun Joe Him, Kang Kin Fung, Yeong Tat Kuan, Derek Ho, Hew Pui Ching, Wan Yee Mun as well as Daliyah and friends from Ipoh. Pastor Susan, Wan Wai Meng, Freon Tee, Sean Wang, Tai Lee Shan Amos and Adrian Lee from Kuala Lumpur.
Project committee members and volunteers arrived at Joyful Home early in the morning. We started off the day by cleaning the walls with water as the walls were full of mold and old paint. Other volunteers helped by scrubbing the walls.
After a portion of the walls had been cleaned and with the arrival of more volunteers, smaller teams soon formed to commence the painting.
It was a hot and sunny day but that did not deter the volunteers from doing their good deed. On the contrary, the volunteers were having fun and enjoyed what they were doing. Even the older boys of the home, John and Michael joined us in painting the walls.
As we took a break for lunch at around 12 noon, Daliyah and her friends arrived with a yummy vegetarian lunch. The volunteers were already tired and hungry. We really enjoy the delicious vegetarian lunch, courtesy of Daliyah and friends.
After lunch, volunteers helped move the flower pots near the walls behind the house before the painting resumed.
Left: Having tea time and rest. Right: Happy helping
For tea break, we had watermelon, “leong sui” and cold 100 plus. It was a hot day, therefore, the volunteers need to have enough drinks so that they will not get sick. Kids also queued up to have a cup of the cold drinks.
After the break, Derek and Chan started off another bonus for the home. They have volunteered to clean the fish pond. The fish pond has 2 portions, the main pond and another smaller one at higher level. So Derek and Chan decided to clean the smaller one first, so that the next day, they could migrate the fishes over to the smaller pond in order to clean the main pond.
By around 5pm, we were done with painting the walls. They looked really bright and fresh. Irene (Joyful Home caretaker) and the kids were so happy with the new look.
We cleaned up the mess on the floor and called it a day.
Day 2
Sunday 29th July 2012
For the second day we had Janice So, Chan Weng Khong, Derek Ho, Wan Yee Mun, Theng Yok Chaw, Brandie Khor, Wan Wai Meng, Freon Tee and Eric Choong.
The day started a bit late, as we finished our painting job much earlier than expected. This was the result of good teamwork and great coordination from project manager.
The bonus for this project was the idea from volunteers to help clean the fish pond. The fishpond was full of moss and old leaves until the fishes were not even visible in the pond.
Firstly, Chan and Derek released the water from the main pond. When it was half emptied, they scooped out the fish. Catching the fishes was not easy. John and Michael also helped in catching the fish. Once all the fishes have been transferred out, all the water from the main pond were drained and Derek started cleaning the main pond with a water jet.
While the pools were being cleaned, Eric Choong, Theng and her daughter Brandie joined us and help to paint 2 flower pots at the entrance of the house and also a bit of touch up on the walls that we painted yesterday.
Left and middle: We are happy volunteers. Right: fishes in the fish pond
Today, Lydia cooked a vegetarian lunch for us and Irene also prepared “teh tarik” and “kacang putih” for our tea break.
The most exciting moment was when the pond had been cleaned and filled with clean water. It is now time to transfer the fishes back to the main pond. Volunteers were given the honour to take turns to scoop out the fish from the smaller pond back into the main one. Looking at the fishes swimming in the main pond gave all of us a lot of satisfaction. I am sure the fishes were surprised too to see their new home.
The kids of the home were thrilled with the fishes swimming swiftly in the clean pond.
All the painting tools were cleaned and are kept away for future painting projects.
Other than the fish pond cleaning job, Uncle Choy also came to help the home. He helped to clear the old furniture and junks. A freelance writer for Echo Ipoh also came to interview Irene about the home. He was also interested in the community services rendered by Kechara’s Ipoh Study Group. We are also very grateful to Mr Henry Wan who volunteered to assist Irene in preparing her account for ROC.
On behalf of the KISG project committee, we would like to express our gratitude to all the volunteers and sponsors. Without their contribution, we would not have been able to complete this project. We rejoice in your good deeds.
