Faces of joy at Rumah Nur Salam, Chow Kit

While I am aware that most Malaysians associate the Chow Kit area in Kuala Lumpur with vice, drug users and illegal activities, I look back on my days of carrying out legal aid outreach work there with much fondness. And when I began receiving shoeboxes in excess of the number I requested for the Shoebox Project, Rumah Nur Salam (formerly Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak [Children's Activity Centre] Chow Kit) was somewhere on the top of my list of recipients for our shoebox gifts.

Rumah Nur Salam is a 'safe house' for at-risk children from different backgrounds. Rumah Nur Salam also operates a 24-hour activity centre aimed at improving the quality of life of the children of Chow Kit, almost all of whom are from lower income families and who live in environments that expose them to greater risk of harm. Most of the children come from single-parent families, while some are the children of members of marginalised communities, or may have been trafficked or exposed to harm before. Some do not have the requisite legal documents proving themselves to be citizens or enabling them to attend school.

I contacted the affable and friendly Volunteer Management Coordinator of Rumah Nur Salam, Ahmad Fansuri, and explained with unnecessary defensiveness that we (i.e. the volunteers) are not a Christian group, but a multi-faith group mostly made up of members of the Malaysian Nature Society.

In true Malaysian spirit, Ahmad responded that they welcome everyone of all faiths, and that it would be good for the children to celebrate all festivals and learn of different faiths and cultures. And so I spent the rest of the week sorting, filling, packing and labelling shoebox gifts, and invited my friends Sheela, Ili Fatimah, Shet Mei and Lysha to spend Christmas Day at Rumah Nur Salam with me.



Snack time before the games begin! My friends and I marvelled at how well-behaved and polite the children are, even those who are boisterous or talkative. Some of the younger ones 'salam'-ed us before accepting the treats that we handed out for breakfast. A few children offered their snacks to us and to the caretakers before settling down to enjoy the goodies. Credit must go to the caretakers and the highly engaging Children's Coordinator, Hasrul, for teaching the children so well.



Shet Mei, who loves children, was delighted when the little ones asked to be photographed with her. The children of Chow Kit, although at greater risk of harm, have an advantage over children of more sheltered environments, in that they are more open-minded, accepting and streetwise. How many 5-year-olds would be able to define 'condom' correctly and without squeamishness? The children of Chow Kit may frequently be little old souls, but are just as in need of protection and care as any other children.



Ili Fatimah was first recruited as a volunteer for the Malaysian Nature Society Eco Kids Junior Day Camp on December 5. She provided such valuable help that I asked if she could come and help out again for this event. I wish all undergraduates were as reliable as her! The ones I tend to meet at the SPCA are so helpless that I sometimes wonder if they have been bottle-fed and swaddled in cotton wool until the age of 21.



A noisy and rambunctious round of Musical Chairs helps the children forget the squalor of life outside Rumah Nur Salam! The Children's Coordinator plans enriching activities for the children daily, while certified tutors and teachers assist the children in their studies in classrooms set apart from the rumpus room in which we had our little party.



Rumah Nur Salam lives up to the motto on its nursery walls: "Because Every Child Matters". With therapy, lessons, love and patience, most of the troubled children are now well-adjusted, productive and healthy young persons.

My friends and I were especially impressed by the fact that quite a large number of the children have since been accepted into residential boarding schools (Note to friends who are not from Malaysia: Places in residential boarding schools are reserved for high achievers).




Time to get down and boogie! No party is complete without music, and the children love to dance. Many of them have really slick moves. The art classes conducted at Rumah Nur Salam also include dance classes as an exercise in self-expression. We noticed that the teenagers were especially kind and helpful to the younger ones, so this is a strong indication that they have learned well from the good example set by the caretakers and coordinators.



A young winner comes forward to receive his prize after a particularly arduous round of "Musical Statues".





Time to hand out the gifts! The children were disciplined and polite and waited until everyone has received their gifts before opening their gifts together. Half an hour after the gifts had been opened, the floor was spotless and every scrap of litter had been swept up and disposed of by the teens.



This little boy could hardly contain his excitement at receiving his gift!



A little girl minds her friend's box while they wait to open their gifts together.



The children admired the contents of each other's boxes and shared their sweets without bickering, not because they are born angels, but because the Children's Coordinator had taught them well. Children living in welfare homes or attending community centres should not only be fed and clothed, but be taught manners, consideration, gratitude and concern for the environment. It sure looks like Rumah Nur Salam has done a good job with these youngsters!



Too cool for school! The children performed a “Thank You” song for us which had us rolling in mirth! “Xie xie ni! Nandri! Domo Arigato, Hai!”, they sang with gusto, followed by a Japanese-style bow!

My friends and I would like to thank the children of Rumah Nur Salam too, for the friendliness and appreciation they expressed so easily, which made us feel welcomed and loved. And our especial thanks go out to the Children’s Coordinator, Hasrul, for his dedication to improving the quality of life of the children, motivating them into becoming better persons and enriching their minds and souls with improving activities. We would love to come back again to conduct another activity during the next school holidays.

“Nur” in Arabic means ‘light’, while “Salam” means ‘peace’. Rumah Nur Salam is therefore an appropriate name for this sanctuary that has lighted the way to a better future for the children of Chow Kit, and provided a peaceful refuge for the children against the chaos of the outside world.

For more information, please contact:
Address: Rumah Nur Salam, No 24B, Jalan Chowkit, 50350 Kuala Lumpur
Facebook: Rumah Nur Salam, Chow Kit
E-Mail: fansuri@chowkids.org

Universal Children's Day in KL

On 20 November 1959, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. On 20 November 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed. For this reason, Universal Children's Day is celebrated on 20 November annually.

Malaysia typically observes Universal Children's Day with school parties, concerts, award ceremonies and various initiatives dedicated to children and families. The meaning of Universal Children's Day, however, goes beyond mere treats and parties. Universal Children's Day was instituted by world leaders to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children, and to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world's children.

I was fortunate enough to be involved in organising and executing a Universal Children's Day event at an aid agency in Kuala Lumpur for vulnerable children from marginalised communities. (Note: I cannot disclose locations or names for reasons of confidentiality).



Universal Children's Day celebrates the resilience of children-at-risk, who can still smile and play despite the trauma and adversity they have been through. These boys have just won a 'Duck Walk Race'.



This means WAR! In spite of the dangers and harm faced by children caught up in armed conflict, many would not pass up an opportunity for a good old-fashioned water bomb war, especially against adults! These kids are pretty sharp throwers!



Older children participating in an art competition.



The younger children have been given free rein over these plywood panels.



Volunteers touching up a mural where the children left off after being distracted by sweets and games.



A palpable hit! A little girl has a go at hitting the pinata, as her friends cheer her on.



Paint me a story: Children putting their thoughts, fears, hopes and dreams on paper.



Freedom of Religion: A poignant tale is told in this illustration. The youngster had painted houses of worship, which are important to him, with guns and gunmen pointing at them. All children should have the right to profess, observe and practice their religion without fear of reprisal.



Freedom to Dream: A little girl illustrates her ambition of becoming a doctor. All children should have access to education and should be in a position to earn a livelihood when they attain adulthood.



Freedom of Recreation: A young boy draws what matters most to him -- playing in a rock band! Children should have the right to pursue their interests and develop their talents.

In an ideal world, laws and society, and not aid agencies, should protect children. Let us all work together to address the specific needs of children at risk, and institute laws and enforcement systems to protect them.

Festival of Lights in Brickfields

It will be Deepavali (Diwali if you are North Indian) tomorrow, and there is joy and anticipation in the air. I have friends to visit and plans for the day. I thought it would be a good idea to drop by Brickfields on Thursday evening for a thali meal or perhaps some thosai. I took the Light Rail Transit to KL Sentral as I was aware that there would be massive traffic congestion in Brickfields.

All the major shopping malls in KL would be decorated with kolam (North Indian: Rangoli) by now, and perhaps carnatic music would play in concourse areas and hotel lobbies to put patrons in the mood. To me, however, nothing could come close to the experience of being in the Little India of Brickfields in the days leading up to Deepavali. I find the painstakingly crafted kolams and villaku prayer lamps in shopping centres sterile and self-conscious, and lacking the genial festive urgency of places like Brickfields, Lebuh Ampang and Klang Town.

Brickfields is of especial interest to me because of its historical significance, its houses of worship and also the simple fact that it used to be my playground. In the 1990s, I would frequent Skoob Books in the row of shophouses behind the YMCA, and in 2005-2006, I used to play football in the evenings after work with Priya, Ravi and gang at the YMCA field.



Even the stalls in the KL Sentral terminal are given a festive touch, but they lack the warmth and cheerful disorder of the street stalls in Brickfields.

Murukku and Pakora by the kilogramme.

Indian sweets to tempt the palate. The orange one in the foreground, jelebi, is my favourite. And I wonder why my teeth are in the state they are in!

Salwar Khameez, kurtas and Punjabi suits in Bollywood colours on offer along Jalan Thamby Abdullah.

Flowers and incense for the prayer room, sold at the corner of Jalan Thamby Abdullah.

Flowers for prayers. Most of the flowers used in the garlands are chrysanthemums and jasmines.




A balloon man doing brisk business due to the wheedling of young children accompanying their parents on shopping trips.

Wall-hangings and ornamental lampshades from India to add a dash of bold colour to your home.



What's the Festival of Lights without colourful decorative lights?

Religious idols and artwork for sale. The largest framed artwork is a rather fear-inspiring one of Kali, Goddess of Time, Change and Destruction. The two white ceramic figurines in meditative pose on the table are of Lord Ganesha (left) and Lord Hanuman (right).

May the Festival of Lights bring us enlightenment, joy and peace! Deepavali Valthukal!