Day 2: Al-Ansaar Learning Centre & Surau al-Islamiah

Like the previous day, we started our day by gathering at UM Central at 6.30 and departed for the Al-Ansaar Learning Centre in Taman Tasik Tambahan, Ampang. We arrived there at 7:30am. After the gate is opened by Madam Salina, we prepared the tools needed for all activities. Some of our colleagues took some kids from their residences at nearby area. Those responsible for breakfast preparation distributde Nasi Lemak, Karipap and Tea to the kids and the committees. 

Helping A Refugee (Special Case) 

When we were having our breakfast, an adult refugee came to the centre and shared Madam Salina about his problem. He told that his wife was just delivered a baby girl in Ampang Hospital, and she has a mental disorder. Madam Salina asked her assistant, Hafsah, to help the man by giving a contact number of a donor who will usually give help to the centre. However, due to the language barrier, her assistant needed some helps from a malay students to talk to the donor with Malay Language. After we called the donor, we decided to go to Ampang Hospital because the donor cannot make any decision because it is a strange case. Arissshea drove Fatin, Shafee, and Ms Hafsah and the man to Ampang Hospital to help discharging his wife. After seeing his wife condition, Arisshea and Shafee bought necessary things needed by mother and the newly born baby. 

Ice-Breaking Session [9.00-11.00]

Meanwhile at the Centre, we conducted ice breaking with the kids to get to know and build a bond between the children and the us. Before that, we divided them into a few groups. Among the games we conducted were, “Cheer Creation”, “Dogs and Bones” “Simon Says…”, and “Paper-Plane”. During the cheer station, the children competed to create the best cheer their group could have and presented it afterward.  

In “Dogs and Bones” game, students were divided into two lines, and they will compete each others to snatch the plastic bottle put in the middle between two line. Then, we head-counted  the children and they all have to remember their number from 1-19. When the facilitator shout one of the number from 1-19, the the kid representing the called number have to snatch the bottle. Group 2 won at the end. 

In “Simon Says” game, students should only obey the order if the sentence starts with “Simon Says” and those who did the order without the beginning of “Simon says..” will be disqualified. The last session, the LAC students played “Paper-Plane contest”  where they were taught to make a paper plane and compete whose one would be the fastest and could reach the furthest. 

In this session, the children were able to sharpen their mind and focus, improve their brotherhood/sense of togetherness while at the same time enjoyed the whole session. 

Story-Telling Session [11.00-12.00]

This session was conducted from 11am to 12pm in the classroom. During this session, Athirah told the children the story of Prophet Yunus and how he survived from being eaten by the whale “Nun”. At the end of the session, there were a few questions asked about the story to the children and those who answered correctly were given gifts. The children enjoyed the story and were interactive in answering the questions given. 

Frame-Making Session [12.00-13.00]

This session is conducted by group 1 from 12pm to1pm. In this session, children worked in a group and facilitated by two facilitators to create a frame by using materials needed. The children were allowed to use their creativity and ideas to create what they want. Though it was quite hard to control the crowd at first, the facilitators were able to provide support and guidance throughout the session. Students were able to create their frames and apply their ideas and creativity through the session, either through drawing & painting, cutting & pasting, and many other means. 

Lunch & Prayer Break [13.00-14.00]

After the students dispersed and went back home, Madam Salina gave some feedback and words of appreciation and encouragement of what we have done today, as well as getting to know further details about tomorrow’s session. After that, we had our lunch and prayed Zohor and got some rest before continuing our project. 

Clean-Up: Al-Ansaar Learning Centre [14.00-16.30]

After praying Zohor, we helped out to arrange and clean the Learning Centre. We rearranged the books in bookshelf, swept the floor, and cleaned the classroom. There was not much challenges in doing this works. 

Clean-Up: Surau Al-Islamiah [16.30-18.30]

We then went to Al-Islamiah Mosque and the muslims prayed Asar in the Mosque. After prayer, we then were warmly greeted by Pakcik-Pakcik AJK Surau (the prayer house management) and we introduced ourselves to them. The Management gave us some guideline and also provided some materials needed for cleaning. We then started cleaning up the mosque together using the equipments we brought and the equipments provided. Among the works we did were: cleaning the toilets, cleaning wudu' area, wiping the windows, sweeping & mopping the floor etc. As we did our works, we were also able to engage and had some conversations with Pakcik - Pakcik (Uncles) there. We were also provided with snacks and drinks by the Mosque Management. Although it is a little tiring, the feeling when you see the results of our works after the clean-up was indeed satisfying. 

Post-Mortem Day 2 & Disperse [18.30-19.30]

After we finished our clean-up session in the mosque, we conducted our post-mortem for day 2 and had a meeting to finalise and prepare about tomorrow’s sessions. The Project Director, Li Yang concluded that we have done better than yesterday, but we have to keep the momentum and positivity to make tomorrow even better.