Have you ever attended a camp organized by the government? Well, now I'm glad to say that I have!
Well, in an effort to promote a Child Friendly City (CFC), in accordance with Local Agenda 21, MBPJ have organized a camp to invite youths from PJ to be trained as a leader and to learn the CRC (Convention on the Rights of a Child). The camp was open based on recommendations of different NGOs, communities and some of those parents who work with the government. I was fortunate enough to be invited through Generasi Gemilang, an NGO.
To start off, I went to rendezvous at the MBPJ office with 34 other participants, among which, I only knew 2 of them. One happens to be a family friend and the other a church friend. I looked at 33 other people and wondered what would the result of the camp be, if you wanna know, read on!
So the registration started, and Uncle Sonny called our names one by one. After which he briefed the parents on what is going to happen for the next 3 days. The bus came slightly late, but came at last, and we all boarded and headed to Selesa Resort, Bukit Tinggi, my third time there. In the bus, some of us took the opportunity to speak and break the ice and got to know a couple of new people and how they knew about the camp, their age and etc. Upon arrival, we had a short short orientation and we split into groups and proceeded with some ice breaker games. Groups were Sirap Bandung, Teh Tarik, Limau Ais, Teh Ais. After having some fun, we went on with learning about child rights. Indeed it was interesting! But a bit draggy, as some started to doze off. So we learned about the 4 categories on why the child rights exist, that is for survival, protection, development and participation. Throughout the whole day and right until at night, we started with understanding want, needs and right and then an understanding of the 4 categories in detail. At night, everyone was so filled with information that it was hard for some to sit still anymore. Nevertheless, we understood something important, also, all these was done by 2 representatives from UNICEF. After the sessions and all, we all went back to our rooms tired.
On the second day, it was filled with games after games after games. Many of which is to train our leadership skills, to make us realize things about being a servant-leader. Its hard to describe every game, and I better not also, because you must experience them in order to learn. So the second day, it was just filled with fun fun fun! But of course, there were a lot to learn. And I believe the greatest thing taught was LOVE. Because everything else wouldn't work without love. We discussed about giving, leading, thinking about other first and many more. At the same time, I personally really got to strengthened relationship with many participants there and it was great knowing them.
Finally, on the third day, we didn't play as much, this time, it was a lot of thinking. Each group a category and brainstorm and choose one issue regarding the category and discussed about that topic. It was really interesting because a lot of people had a lot of views on certain things. But in the end we all had one goal, to make PJ a Child Friendly City. After the session, packed up, ate lunch and headed back to MBPJ. The night before I was asked to do a short sharing on the camp and so I was preparing it on the bus. The closing ceremony in MBPJ was interesting and exciting because we met top people! like the ADUN of Kota Damansara and some others.
It really was an interesting camp, and like what I said in my facebook status, from knowing no one, to missing everyone. It was that good and that inspiring.
Well, in the end, the camp is the starting of a great cause, to change PJ city, to change my city to become a child friendly city, not just by protecting them, but by providing an environment for them to develop and to participate in society. Before the camp, You and I know that when the government does things, a lot of people like to ridicule and look down on it, well, I stand before those people today, to say that the government at times don't achieve anything because of people who don't care. The saying goes "If it is to be, it is up to me". I'm glad that I can now say, I am a part of a cause organized by the government, in an effort to make PJ city a Child Friendly City, and when that is achieved, I tell you, the city will be filled with values, because being child friendly requires values, strong values.
So its time to show love to people around us and be a role model, than kids will learn after it.
Love,
Wai Leem
