MEMOIRS OF KALSOM: IT'S ALL ABOUT GIVING ...

MEMOIRS OF KALSOM: IT’S ALL ABOUT GIVING

Summer is juz around da corner. Annually, summer comes bringing 2gether a lot of fun activities n meaningful engagements. Its da time (during uni days) 2 wrap up all books, lecture notes n packing back home. Throughout da years (including post-uni time period) summers never disappoint me. Frens will b cuming back, loads of catch-ups n dinings –slash- getting souvenirs from abroad including attending Kalsom. “Projek Kalsom (4 those who aren’t aware) is a motivational camp held yearly for Form 4 students who come from less fortunate backgrounds. It is run by Malaysian students enrolled in higher education institutions in the UK and Ireland under the auspices of the United Kingdom and Eire Council for Malaysian Students (UKEC).” (http://www.projek-kalsom.com/)

Since 2007, (without fail), I’ve been a sincere devotee to this program. @ times, I cudnt say wat brings me dere. Da drive 2 participate n contribute is indescribable by words. I’ve discovered dats da beauty about giving. One needs not to mention his contribution cuz Lord’s reward is da best return, 4 s/he will be bestowed. Knowing dis I feel sufficient.

However, allow me to share my memoirs in dis camp. May it will open ur hearts on da power of giving. Kalsom is a program, gathered by most British educated figures who came 2 realise dat dere r many more potential brains from our youngsters who av been less fortunate 2 enjoy da privileges of studying abroad. True, kids are playful, reckless, aim-less n vague bout their future they will embrace. They idling around, leisuring while not worrying bout commitments n engagements and I dun blame em. Its da situation dat we shall examine @. They r lacking of courage but not many give them one. Lacking of ambition becuz their parents are too busy in expanding wealth. Depriving of motivation cuz da surrounding doesn’t promote so. How on earth a 15-17 year old child wud av da means n power 2 improve him/herself, while da atmosphere propagates otherwise.

N dis is where we appear into their life.

Saving em from the lacuna in aiming 4 d stars.

Helping em 2 guide da way of lite.

Guiding em 2 pursuit a more meaningful happiness.

Bringing em 2 da place where we r standing @ da mo.

I cud still vividly remember, @ 1st, faces of boredom n hopeless were shown among them. We occupied their hols n worst, they were not given options 2 withdraw from da camp. “It will b another boring motivational camp, wif study techniques n tips, punishments, n time punctuality,” they thot. “What another hell.” But we proved dis all wrong. Kalsom is about having fun, creating smiles and laughters in order to learn the purpose of existence in life. 2 make every single moment in life a worthwhile. We didn’t teach em 2 get gud grades, wonderful jobs and luxurious lifestyle & etc, but wat is best they can achieve while living. Its not about getting 21As in SPM, but wat is made of em upon graduating from senior high.

Any out-of-city stud thot English is a nitemare. 2 em, English lesson serves as 1 of da most-not-favourite subject as they will enter into a half-an-hour time of hell. From da feedback we av gathered, its either they dun unders10 wat da teacher is saying or they dun make themselves clear to the teacher. In short, its a damn boring subject plus they hate writing sumting they even hard 2 spell it. Their minds stuck, their mouth sealed when it comes to English lesson. N we totally unders10 em. Hence, we presented em an English Day which is a day of expression n having fun. In English (obviously). We sang, we acted, we spoke, we listened in English. No rules no spellings check. Not even grammatical observation. We were free 2 utilise da language in da way dat we want. Wats important is we were able 2 penetrate their level of confidence and self-esteem when conversing English.

Its OK 2 make mistake as English isn’t our native language. And ... by learning n loving English doesn’t make any alteration onto ur ethnicity n identity. We r all Malaysians (Asians) n we r not Britons or the Westerners n not trying 2 b one, upon realising, they felt responsive n given da fullest participation. 2 our amaze, they managed 2 translate Asian songs into English n those were hilarious indeed. Ever imagined translating “Jujur” by Indonesian Radja into English? Well, they did. N we were giggling n guffawing all day long singing da translation composed by dis talented kids. It was a victory as the motive is – “English is Fun and not Boring.” * (See footnote)

Da farewell eve was sumting 2 b remembered. We enjoyed as dere will b no 2moro 4 us (in a gud way laaaa I guess). In fact, we pretended as if dere will be no separation awaiting us on da next day. As usual, we set no rules n given da freedom 4 em 2 decide da style and tellin ya, da outcome was beyond expectation. More than sufficient 2 leave thousands of beautiful memories wif m. Truly an unforgettable moment dat one will everlastingly cherish. We saw big potentials in em. They r really gud 4 crying out loud. Wif a bit of guidance, surely they can hit da future box-office (o yes they will). N dis is Kalsom all bout, polishing one’s potential regardless in any discipline, field or avenue.

“In anything dat u do, do it wholeheartedly and sincerely and achieve da highest point,” we sed.

“U dun care if we end up being actors/actresses, not doctors, engineers, lawyers etc?,” some asked.

My instant reply, “Make sure u’ll b da world class actor. Da 1st Malaysian who made it 2 Oscar or Grammy Award.”

They juz smiled but I know they got wat I mean.

Now ere cums da last day. Da day dat none anticipated or waited. Da sun rised up high indicating no sensitivity 2 our sad n depressed feelings. We soul-less-ly packed n made our final way 2 da grand hall 2 witness our final moment. A last moment 2 b together. A moment 2 b remembered. We concluded by saying goodbyes, giving our final words of advice, exchanging contacts, hugs and handshake. It wasn’t long till we heard busses coming (saw parents’ cars crowding da parking area too) indicating dere wasn’t much time left. Tears n hiccups were everywhere ushering da departures. N i guess every1 started 2 feel loss n despair.

N dis make Kalsom s 1 of my priorities when summer arrives. Even till now our bros and sist r still looking 4 us 4 every advice n companionship. I was truly glad when one of my groupmates called n greeted, “WanZhu, sy dpt 10A1 dalam SPM. Mintak2 laaa dpt amek law cam abg.” Another sed, “terima kasih sgt2 kat Kalsom. Klu x de Kalsom ntah2 sy tak dpt result baguih camni.”

Guess wat I felt? –Nothing can b described- .

N I’m sure I’m not da only 1. Few more volunteers wud probably get da same updates from our beloved sibs. As we went down through da memory lane, dere’s nothing much I’ve done 2 da kids. I juz came, talked, made sum jokes, offered my ears n attention n went back home. But 2 em, dats everything they cud get from an elder like me. They even proclaimed, “kadang2 mak bapak sy pun taktau sy nak jd apa.” Others were saying, “depa suruh kami blajaq ja, tapi bukan depa tau betapa susahnya nak score.” N we filled da lacuna in their life. We’ve been da missing part in it. We, being merely a listener whereas nobody ever listened 2 em. They juz want sumbody 2 listen n able 2 unders10 em 4 crying out loud. 2 em, its more than everything they cud av – being 16 yo stud from a rural area wif no guidance n exposure –cum- life sharing.

N I feel satisfied. I feel proud. Noble in one sense. By merely GIVING. Receiving nothing but a sincere remembrance from them. I mite not contribute 2 da nation or even 2 da country, but @ least, I’ve made a slight change on sum1’s life. Cuz I know I’ve screwed mine n dun want da same 2 happen 2 da young ones.

Now summer is ere. Da comrades av been set up 4 another yer of contribution. Another opportunity 2 give in n I’ll b among da front liners 2 volunteer n 2 continue da legacy. Surely, I cudnt succeed walking alone, n we humbly need others 2 help in. N I know a person like me, who isn’t rich 2 donate thousands of pennies 2 various foundations, not even brilliant 2 share ideas n knowledge, not even b in da best behaviour 2 b a role model (well u know me well, aite) but da least of sharing my limited and flaw experience n 2 tell em they aren’t alone in achieving aims, is da best I can do. It mite not b much (2 em), but as long as my presence acts as a starting (or turning) point in their life, I’ll b more than happy. U MITE NOT BE DA WORLD 2 EVERYONE BUT TO SOMEONE YOU ARE HIS/HER WORLD. I feel blessed.

@ da end of everything, if 1 day Lord asks me in da Day of Judgment, “What av ye done in life?” Probably, I will b able 2 whisper, “@ least I’ve tried to do sumting.”

*Footnote:
Some of the theories were saying, da day was perfect due to the presence of one particular facilitator who speaks flawlessly like a brit. N they were mersmeriesed by da accent used by the faci. Hmmmmm ... I wonder who s/he is?