..the inspiring experiences @ ILHAM..: December 2005

Majlis Berbuka Puasa at Rumah Ilham...

We had a Majlis Berbuka Puasa with all 60 of adik-adik ILHAM on the 24th October 2005 – 20 Ramadan 1426H. Around 40 other guests comprising of almost all ILHAM Volunteers; not only from the IEP Program but also volunteers for other activities organized with the ILHAM Boys for the past 2 years.

the kakak-kakak

the abang-abang

It started off at around 6.45 pm with a tahlil and continued with us breaking fast together. We performed Solat Maghrib, Isya’ and Terawih together at ILHAM’s own newly renovated Surau.

Solat Jemaah

During supper, a surprise ‘movie’ summarizing all the activities PROMUDA Charity Group (PCG) have done with the ILHAM Boys was shown and specially dedicated to ILHAM’s Management, the Boys and the Volunteers with ‘Kau Ilhamku’ song as the soundtrack. Too bad it can't be linked here! The ‘movie’ captured the boys’ attention, as they were the STARS for that night. Plus they were happy to receive some duit raya from their Abang and Kakak at the end of supper.

Movie & duit raya presentation...

Menu for the day that left everyone feeling happy and full were…

Karipap, Tepung Pelita, Teh Tarik, Nasi Tomato, Ayam Masak Merah, Daging Blackpepper, Dalca, Jelatah, Fruits, Bubur pulut hitam, Popiah goreng and other delicious kuih.

Sounds and looks yummy ya! Not to worry to those who missed it, Insya’Allah we’ll organize one again next year!

-eyeda-

Rumah Ilham has an extended library situated at the top of the management block. They have a wide range of books, from Archie Comics to Britannica Encyclopedia! Only problem is – it has not been utilized properly.

From what the kids told us, they only enter the library when there’s tuition classes held. Most of the time, the room remains empty and the books collect dust!

At the beginning of Ilham English Program, we brainstormed an idea of having a book drive to collect books for the kids – not knowing they had so many already. When we actually saw the library, the first thing we thought was to ‘GET IT BACK TO SHAPE!’

One of IEP’s volunteer – Abang Zaki agreed to take lead. We had a short visit to the library, listed out what can be done and should be done, what was needed to get the library back in action. After gathering all info needed, an email was sent out to seek assistance preferably from those who were not allergic to dust.. hehe yes, volunteers must be dust-allergy-free!! Or at least bring a mask along 

A few days before the clean-up, we went to Giant Supermarket and Jusco to grab some stuff – book ends, educational posters, cellophane tape, manila cards and the whole works. We also told everyone to bring some pieces of old rags to do the massive window-wipes!

The day came… there were about 8 IEP volunteers who turned up for the challenge, about 5 Primary 6 Ilham Boys (who thought they have ‘MERDEKA-ed’ when UPSR ended and turns out they got to help instead of relax – haha ;p) and we got some extra helping hands from the Teratak Kami Kids. Woo hoo! – We needed all the help we could get as there were many things to do besides just cleaning up… from…

Sorting books to...

Arranging books to...

Cleaning shelves to...

Cleaning room to...

Wiping windows to...

Vacuuming carpet to...

Rearranging furniture to...

Decorating room to...

Putting up posters!!

And we did it all in not more than 5 hours – THANKS TO EVERYONE PRESENT!! (do give yourselves a big pat on the back considering it was a fasting day as well and no one fainted ;p)

We told the Ilham Kids to use the library more often now that it’s cozier. We hope to be able to run our IEP Sessions next year in this library. We plan to have a module where the kids will be given a reading list from the selected books (available in their library) and have a ‘Reading Sunday’ with them once a month – insya’allah – to encourage them to utilize their library and to make reading a habit, of course!

Details on that will be in the Library Project Phase II… coming soon, insya’allah…

Some photos during the clean-up: