What a day!
Started my day at 5.45AM (slept at 12 AM). It's been very hectic the past few weeks as my student events are just less than a week away. While I am super busy with those two events, I got an invitation from a local NGO called Malaysian Care. We partnered early this year to organise a Fundraising and Educational Campaign for the Young Offenders (Juveniles) at a local juvenile prison. The purpose of the funds was the build a Music Room and today was the Launch of the Music Room. They extended 6 invitations to us and hence I together with 5 of my student leaders went.
We departed early because it is located 50KM from our University and we had to be there at 9.30 AM, which is through peak period for morning traffic. It was a long journey but let me tell you, it was worth it! I seriously love my job and the influence that I can give to my students, allowing them to have this opportunity to do good to society and instilling values that the classroom cannot give is something I look forward to every single time I head to work.
It was definitely an eye-opener to spend time with the inmates (mostly 17-19 years old boys) and the prison wardens who were very nice, friendly, and informative to us. The moment I went in and saw the inmates, I felt the love of God immediately for them. God loves them so much and they need guidance. I am glad NGOs like Malaysian Care provides such services and platform for these inmates to reach out for help when they are finally released or even when they're going through their sentence.
To top it all off, it was such a pleasure to have these inmates perform for us with instruments, boy... were they talented! The most touching moment was when we all stood up as they sang the last song "SAYA ANAK MALAYSIA" (I am a child of Malaysia). Imagine, 15 of us guests from the Uni and the NGO together with 30 inmates singing this patriotic song in one harmony, it felt like there wasn't any difference between us. Just so beautiful. We all had a good time.
Too bad there weren't any shots in the prison as we had to surrender our phones at the entrance. There were prison wardens taking photos but we have to wait for them to be shared with us. This is an experience I will never forget!
The certificate of appreciation for my students in gratitude for their hardwork.
To end it all, my watch reminding me how long have I been active today. haha! More than 12 hours to be exact.