Keeping young ones safe among books

TEN-year-old Ilmia Mohd Roslan has never attended school because her parents cannot afford to send her to one. Yet, she reads confidently.She is an inspiration for Farah Nabilah Ismail, 55, a volunteer who runs the new library set up at Block J of the Pinggiran Bukit Jalil People’s Housing Project (PPR). “Imia learned how to read here,” Farah said proudly.

Of the 30 children who come to the library regularly, Farah said four did not attend school because their parents were unable to afford the daily cost of transport, uniforms and books. So, when their parents go to work, these children are aimless.

“I see them hanging around the staircases. They are often left alone. This leaves them vulnerable to abuse,” she said.

But with the new library, these children have a safe haven.
Open from 2.30pm to 5.30pm six days a week, the library was set up three months ago by the Community Policing Association with the help of donors.
Its president, Kuan Chee Heng, said the association started the library to ensure that the children were in a safe setting.

The fee is only 10sen for every book borrowed and two volunteers give English and religious classes daily.“The library is not only a place where the children can read, they can come here to do their homework instead of staying at home alone.
“They like it here because there is air-conditioning. If they have problems, our volunteers are there to help,” said Kuan.

The setting up of the facility was made possible by donors who paid for the renovation and provided furniture, books and electrical appliances.
The space, a designated kindergarten on the ground floor, comes free of charge and was approved by Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

PPR Pinggiran Bukit Jalil Residents Association chairman Mohamed Ahmad said at least 50 children who should be either in primary or secondary school, were not attending classes for various reasons, such as poverty, poor supervision and absent parents.

The RA has tried to help these children by donating uniforms and such but found their efforts unsustainable as there as not enough funding.

RA Chinese bureau chief Ting Cheng Chuansaid there was a serious need to look for solutions.

“Some of the older children stay up till the wee hours of the morning and sleep the whole day.
“They hang around and make noise, disturbing residents on the lower floors,” said Ting.

But the community’s main worry is that they will lose this generation if nothing is done to help them soon.

source & credit The Star  http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/06/24/keeping-young-ones-safe-among-books-association-opens-library-as-a-way-to-engage-poor-children-at-pp/#s6XYfR4mK3qqlSOR.99


Ilmia Mohd Roslan, berusia 10 tahun, tidak pernah bersekolah kerana ibu bapanya tidak mampu menghantarnya ke sekolah. Namun, dia membaca dengan yakin. Beliau merupakan inspirasi kepada Farah Nabilah Ismail, 55, seorang sukarelawan yang mengendalikan perpustakaan baru yang ditubuhkan di Blok J Projek Perumahan Rakyat Pinggiran Bukit Jalil (PPR). "Imia belajar bagaimana membaca di sini," kata Farah dengan bangganya. Daripada 30 kanak-kanak yang datang ke perpustakaan secara berkala, Farah berkata empat orang tidak bersekolah kerana ibu bapa mereka tidak mampu membayar kos pengangkutan, pakaian seragam dan buku harian. Oleh itu, apabila ibu bapa mereka bekerja, anak-anak ini tiada tujuan. "Saya melihat mereka berputar di tangga. Mereka sering dibiarkan bersendirian. Ini menyebabkan mereka terdedah kepada penyalahgunaan, "katanya. Tetapi dengan perpustakaan baru, kanak-kanak ini mempunyai tempat selamat. Dibuka dari jam 2.30 petang hingga 5.30 petang enam hari seminggu, perpustakaan itu ditubuhkan tiga bulan lalu oleh Persatuan Polis Komuniti dengan bantuan penderma. Presidennya, Kuan Chee Heng, berkata persatuan itu memulakan perpustakaan untuk memastikan anak-anak berada dalam suasana yang selamat. Yuran hanya 10sen untuk setiap buku yang dipinjam dan dua sukarelawan memberikan kelas bahasa Inggeris dan agama setiap hari. "Perpustakaan bukan hanya tempat yang boleh dibaca kanak-kanak, mereka boleh datang ke sini untuk melakukan kerja rumah mereka, bukannya tinggal di rumah sahaja. "Mereka suka di sini kerana ada penghawa dingin. Jika ada masalah, sukarelawan kami ada untuk membantu, "kata Kuan. Penubuhan kemudahan itu telah dibuat oleh penderma yang membayar untuk pengubahsuaian dan menyediakan perabot, buku dan peralatan elektrik. Ruang angkasa, sebuah tadika yang ditetapkan di tingkat bawah, percuma dan diluluskan oleh Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur (DBKL). Pengerusi Persatuan Penduduk PPR Pinggiran Bukit Jalil, Mohamed Ahmad berkata sekurang-kurangnya 50 orang anak yang harus berada di sekolah rendah atau menengah, tidak menghadiri kelas kerana pelbagai sebab, seperti kemiskinan, pengawasan yang kurang baik dan ibu bapa yang tidak hadir. RA telah cuba membantu anak-anak ini dengan mendermakan pakaian seragam dan sebagainya tetapi mendapati usaha mereka tidak dapat dikekalkan kerana tidak cukup pendanaan. RA, ketua biro Cina, Ting Cheng Chuansaid, ada keperluan serius untuk mencari penyelesaian. "Beberapa kanak-kanak yang lebih tua menetap hingga jam pagi dan tidur sepanjang hari. "Mereka berkeliaran dan membuat bunyi bising, mengganggu penduduk di tingkat bawah," kata Ting. Tetapi kebimbangan utama komuniti ialah mereka akan kehilangan generasi ini jika tidak ada yang dilakukan untuk membantu mereka tidak lama lagi.