Wednesday 27 April 2011

Yaysan Aini Orphanage 21 May 2011

In Aid of


Yaysan Aini Orphanage


&

Lions’Learning Center

Sekupang- Batam, Indonesia


Date: 21 May 2011

Venue: KTM Resorts Hotel

Time: 7.00 pm

The Community Center for Learning provides pre-school education for children from 5 orphanages in the district of Kampong Nelayan, Sekupang , Batam



Charity Event Highlights

Guided Tour to Batam Orphanages
Photo-Portrait Session
Sing-For-Charity Karaoke Session
Sales of Photographs, Jewelry (all for charity)
Tree Planting Program (Adopt-a-tree) (S$20)
Buffet Dinner (S$15)



Live performances by:
Chinese Orchestra from Singapore & Chinese Singing Artistes
Indonesian Singing Artistes
Ticket Price: (all activities are optional)
Tree Planting: S$20
Buffet Dinner: S$15
Accommodation: S$30
Each ticket includes one entry into the Lucky Draw.
All ticket proceeds goes to the orphanages and the community center for learning. 

To Purchase Tickets:
Contact: Peter Tan @90611456
Email: gemstailor@gmail.com

Lucky Draw

Grand Lucky Draw Prize: 5 nites stay at Goodway Hotel in Bali. 
9 Lucky Prizes to be won: Goodway Hotel Stay, Spa, F & B vouchers in Batam





Schedule
  • 10 am: Meet at Harbour Front 3rd Floor- Penguin Ferry counter
  • 10.40 am: Board Ferry to Sekupang
  • 11.30am-: Check-in at KTM Resorts (Batam time 1 hr behind)
  • 12 noon: Lunch at KTM
  • 1.30pm: Arrive at Lions’ Learning Center,
  • Get-together program with orphans & tour to 4 orphanages
  • 4pm: Tree planting event at KTM Resort
  • 6pm: Dinner Charity at KTM restaurant, Music & Songs by Indonesian artists
  • 7.30pm: Chinese Orchestra & Singers from Singapore
  • *Note- Last ferry to Singapore 7.30pm (hotel bus to ferry terminal at 6.30pm)
  • 8.30pm to end: Karaoke Sing-for-Charity session
  • Sunday: Free & easy (check with hotel travel desk for information)
  • Ferry Booking: Peter Tan @90611456, email: gemstailor@gmail.com 

    Powerpoint slides on Fund-Raising event for Yayasan Aini Orphanage

    Dear All,

    As promised, I have put together a PowerPoint presentation slide for us to share with the potential donors and participants of the event scheduled on 21-May-2011. Please download the PowerPoint slides from this URL link here or copy & paste this URL into your web browser;

    https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1103282031/e268afb2d54d6e4516b3b9bade65c27b?cid=tr-cv-web-stnd-dl-literec-null-c-19073&s=19073

    Thank you.

    The Act of Kindness

     “The quality of mercy is not strained. It dropped as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath:
    It is twice bless’d; It blessed him that gives, and him that takes. . .”
    William Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice


    When William Shakespeare wrote this comedic play some 450 years ago, he must have already deeply realized the significance of the verse, “It is twice bless’d ; It blessed him that gives, and him that takes. . .” but, little did he knew that there is another dimension to it.
    Modern science has discovered that when an act of kindness has been administered three groups of people you feel more vitality and healthy, sickness and viruses seem less likely to invade you. benefited from it- the giver, the receiver, and those who witness the event! And what do they found to be of benefit? Firstly, serotonin- the “happiness hormones” or the feeling pleasant sensation increases in your body. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, and is a well known contributor of the feelings of well being. When the brain produces serotonin tension is eased, the body relaxes. “Low level of serotonin is believed to be reason for many cases of mild to moderate depression which can lead to symptoms like anxiety, apathy, fear, feelings of worthlessness, insomnia, and fatigue” according to one medical research. And, the second good benefit the body gets is that your immune system gets a boosting. Whenever the body immune system is strong
    An act of kindness can be anything from giving direction to a tourist, helping an elderly alighting from a bus, assist the blind crossing the road, giving some loose coins for a packet of tissue, smiles often, a listening ear, or extending a reverent thought or prayer to someone suffering. An act of kindness is from the heart; it is simple and therapeutic, yet we often do not do it in our modern rushing lifestyle. “To serve is joy, and with joy we serve” should be our daily practicing mantra. And, should you ever want to participate in one of these kind acts, please consider the following:

    Friends of Riau (F.O.R.), a volunteer group made up of people from Singapore, are deeply committed to do humanitarian work for the poor and needy in the communities near them. For us, volunteers, it is a good opportunity to extend our “neighborly love” to others who are less well to do than us. And Batam is only 45 minutes by ferry and is very accessible, but a world of differences in terms of economic well being especially amongst the weak and the orphans. The actual crossing to another land and being able to contribute to/for the betterment of another community is itself magical. Often ones returned more “blessed” than the blessing given to. Together with the Lions Club Batam Tourism chapter we are working to build a community learning center and upgrading of a dilapidated orphan home.
    The village of Kampung Nelayan (Fishermen Village) in Sekupang, Batam, has a population of around 12,300 residents. The main occupation is fishing. The average per capita income is between S$200-S$700. Within this small district there is a primary and secondary school, a mosque, and a local clinic. Everything here is very basic. Less than half a kilometer from the center, there exist 5 orphanage homes which houses about 175 children. The average age of these orphans ranges from 1 to 15, each home takes in about 18- 35 children, with the exception of Yayasan Yatin Piatu Aini orphanage which has less. Some of the homes received local government aids and local donors, the Yayasan Aini which started only last year has yet to receive any aid from local government; it survives only on private individual contributions.
    • Community Center for Learning (CCL) – see photo 1


    The existing building is strategically located in the center of the district. There is no play/preschool, enrichment centers or library in the vicinity. The existing building which is only used sometime for local official meetings is under utilize and is currently in a poor state, for example it leaks water when it rains, there is no running water, and the lack of basic utilities. The local authority has given the approval to Lions Club Batam Tourism to fully utilize the building for the betterment of the community.

    Our goals for this Center:
    • To set up a play/pre- school classroom for 20-30 kids. This includes chairs and tables, outdoor swings & slides, and teaching aids. A full time teacher will be employed to run the centre; we are also looking for volunteers to help out. The aim is to inculcate learning habits for the young. The lessons are free for the orphans, while non orphans pay a nominal tuition fee. The center also provides scholarships for deserving families.
    • To set up a children’s library to serve the 5 orphanages and the children in the district. The library will ideally house some 1,000 children’s books at the initial stage, mainly in the Indonesian language and some in English. A section of the building will be renovated to make a proper library. There will be rows of bookcases, chairs and reading tables for about 30 kids per sitting. Facility for audio and video education will be also included. There is no charge for using the facility. The aim is to inculcate a love for reading and learning at a young age.

    • To start a computer literacy program mainly for the orphan children and for the children in the community. Another area in the building will be set up for computer learning, these include 10 sets of computers, tables and chairs for students, and a white board for the teacher. The computer learning center will be internet connected. For a start a part time teacher will be hired to operate lessons 3-5 times a week depending on the demands. We are looking for volunteer technicians and trainers to run program. The lessons are given free to the orphans, while there is a nominal fee for outsiders, scholarship is available for deserving families. The aim is to provide current education as most of the residents could not afford to own a computer.

    • To provide working skills education like hair cutting courses, cooking lessons, sewing courses. The program/s depends on availability of trainers and demand from the public.
    The aim is to teach them life sustaining skills.

    • English language courses. As we will be using the existing classroom, and the courses will be run by volunteers, the cost to set up is minimal to only books & printings.
    The aim is to enrich and aid them to be more productive persons.

    • Other Social activities which the centre can provide includes:
    • Monthly Food & Fun 1st Sunday- free pop corns & cotton candy floss for the kids, cheap haircuts (free for orphans), second hand clothes and households items for sale at a very cheap price (proceeds of sales go into the running cost of the center). Karaoke session for the adults, and fun games for the kids.
    • Awareness programs, such as hygiene and health issues to be taught on a periodic basis.
    The aim is to increase lifestyle awareness & social interaction.

    • Yaysan Yatim Piatu Aini Home- see photos 2 & 3



    This orphanage deserves a better living condition for the children and caretakers as compare to the other 4.
    The Yayasan Aini was opened in May of 2010 by Ibu Aini and 2 other volunteer friends. Several children were at that time abandoned by their parents and because of her compassionate nature, she and 2 other friends decided to take care of them, and thus a orphan home was created. Then and even now the home is in bad conditions, for example the walk way to the house is loosely put together with discarded wooden planks in various sizes, there are “pot holes” everywhere, the walls in the house is also no better. The home lacks of mattresses for the children to sleep on. And there are only 3 small bedrooms to serve a supposed population of 18 kids excluding Ibu Aini and her aging husband.
    The aim is to provide a better living condition for this impoverished home.

    What do us intent to do for this home:
    • Provided more mattresses and pillow enough for the kids.
    • Repair some holes on the walk ways and bedrooms .
    • Improve ventilations in the rooms with fans.
    • Clean up the kitchen area with newer wooden wall and paint, and provide a dining table & chairs.
    • Build a study/play room.

    The above mentioned projects require various resources to successfully develop and run. We are certainly looking for different kinds of assistance; any forms of help are welcome. The first fund raising event will be held on the 21st May 2011 at the KTM Resort, Sekupang Batam. The highlights of the event are a visit to the CCL to meet the orphans and a visit to their homes. There will be a tree planting session where you can adopt a plant, and a Dinner & Entertainment program-members of Chinese Orchestra from Singapore and Indonesian artists will be performing music and songs during the evening. All proceeds will go into the above mentioned projects.
    The mission of Friends of Riau is to create an opportunity for people here to get “in touch” with their inner self. It is pure voluntary work , all expenses are borne personally, and none receive any form of compensations (nor do we expect any). Such involvement is like going on an inward journey of healing and maturing of the soul. We will start with the above two projects, there are villages in Riau where they do not have running water or electricity, the walls and roof are made from recycled discarded wooden boxes, and you can literally smell poverty before seeing it. As you participate in any kind acts, remember what the great Mother Theresa once said, “And it is not how much we do, but how much love we put into the doing (that matters).” If you are interested to contribute your time, talent, effort or materials kindly contacts Friends of Riau at 90611456 for more details. You may also view more information at http:gentleact.blogspot.com.  

    Tuesday 22 March 2011

    F.O.R Batam


     
    The quality of mercy is not strained. It dropped as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath:
    It is twice bless’d; It blessed him that gives, and him that that takes. . .
    Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice


    Lions Club Batam Tourism
     Charity funds & fuN



    Our Motto:  “We Serve”

    Objectives:    Personal empowerment through proper education is so important, we want to:
    ·         Bulid a Community Center for Learning (C.C.L.)
    ·         Improve the living conditions for the Aini Orphanage Home

    Lions Club Batam Tourism in Riau Islands Province (Kepri) and Friends of Riau (F.O.R.) are deeply committed to serving the poor and the needy, and also to enhance the communities in which they live. (See appendage-attacment #1 for reference of the 2 organizations)  After much consideration, we have identified two projects which needed immediate attention and action.

    ·         Community Center for Learning (CCL)
    The existing building is strategically located in the center of the district called Kampung Nelayan (Fishing Village), Tanjung Riau, Sekupang, Batam. This district has a population of some 12,322 people. The main industry is fishing with a per capita income of around $200-$700. Within the district there is a primary and secondary school, a mosque, and a local doctor clinic. There are no play/preschool, enrichment centers, library or hospital in the vicinity.

    Because of its low income industry, within a half a kilometer from this Center, there exist 5 orphanage homes.  The average age of these orphans ranges from 1 to 15, each home takes in about 18- 35 children, with the exception of Yayasan Yatin Piatu Aini which has less. Some of the homes received local government aids and local donors, the Yayasan  Aini which started only last year has yet to receive any aid from local government, it survives only on private individual contributions.

    The Center which is only used sometime for local official meetings is under utilize and is currently in poor condition, for example it leaks water when it rains,  there is no running water, and the lack of  basic utilities. The local authority has given the approval to Lions Club Batam Tourism to fully utilize the building for the betterment of the community. (See photos & letter of authorization in the attachment #2)

    Our goals for this Center:
    1 ) Upgrade the Center with new paint (painting work will be done by volunteers), provide running water and electricity for fans (electrical points and fans have already installed, needed some repair work and maintenance by contractor), and the preparation of learning facilities. An outdoor signage for the Center is to be erected. Estimated cost: S$2,000

    2) To renovate within the building an area for a learning center.

    Phase I:
    ·         To set up a play/pre- school classroom for 20-30 kids. This includes chairs and tables, outdoor swings & slides, and teaching aids. A full time teacher will be employed to run the center, there will be volunteers to help out.
    The aim is to inculcate learning habits for the young. (For floor plan & curriculum please see attachment #3.)
    ·         To set up a children’s library to serve the 5 orphanages and the children in the district who attend classes. The library will ideally house some 1,000 children’s books at the initial stage, mainly in the Indonesian language and some in English. A good section of the building will be renovated to make a proper library( see floor plan attachment #4). There will be rows of bookcases, chairs and reading tables for about 30 kids per sitting. Facility for audio and video education will be also included. The fee for the orphans is free, while for non orphan is nominal, scholarship is available on a case by case basis.
    The aim is to inculcate a love for reading and learning. 
    The estimated cost to set up play school and library: S$5,000

    ·         To start a computer literacy program primarily for the orphan children and subsequently for the children in the community. Another area in the building will be set up for computer learning, these include 10 sets of computers, tables and chairs for students, and a white board for the teacher. The computer learning center will be internet connected. For a start a part time teacher will be hired to operate lessons 3-5 times a week depending on the demands . There will be volunteer assistants and trainers . The fee for the lesson to the orphans is free, while there is a nominal fee for outsiders, scholarship is available.  (For computer room floor plan & lessons please see attachment #4.)
    The aim is to provide current education as most of the residents could not afford to own a computer.
    The cost for the computer center set up:  estimated S$10,000
    Phase II (6-12 months):
    ·         To provide working skills such as hair cutting, beauty and spa (manicure & pedicure, massage) programs, cooking lesson , sewing, and art & crafts.  The program/s depends on availability of trainers and demand from the public.
    The aim is to teach them life sustaining skills.
    The cost to set up is around S$3,000.

    ·         English language courses. As we will be using the existing classroom, and the courses will be run by volunteers, the cost to set up is minimal to only books & printings, estimated S$300.
    The aim is to enrich and aid them to be more productive persons.

    ·         Other Social activities:
    ·         Monthly Food & Fun 1st Sunday- free pop corns & cotton candy floss for the kids, cheap haircuts (free for orphans), second hand clothes and households items for sale at a very cheap price (proceeds of sales will go into the running cost of the center).  Karaoke session for the adults, and fun games for the kids.
    ·         Awareness programs, such as hygiene and health issues to be hosted on a case by case basis.
    The aim is to increase lifestyle awareness & social interaction.
    Operation cost (salary & utilities): S$1,000 per month

    To reach these goals, we need the followings:
    Phase I= S$17,000.
    Phase II= S$3,300
    Total= S$20,300,
    P.S.-if enough money can be raised at one go, we will implement the two phases.

    ·         Yaysan Yatim Piatu Aini Home
    This orphanage deserves a better living condition for the children and caretakers as compare to the other 4.
    The Yayasan Aini was opened in May of 2010 by Ibu Aini and 2 other volunteer friends.  Several children were at that time abandoned by their parents and because of her compassionate nature, she and 2 other friends decided to take care of them, and thus a orphan home was created. Then and even now the home is in bad conditions, for example the walk way to the house is loosely put together with discarded wooden planks in various sizes, there are “pot holes” everywhere, the walls in the house is also no better. (see attached photos Attachment #5) There is not enough mattresses for the children to sleep on. There are only 3 small bedroom to serve a supposed population of 18 kids excluding Ibu Aini and her aging husband.
    The aim is to provide a better living condition for this impoverished home.

    What do we intent to do for this home:
    ·         Provided more mattresses and pillow enough for the kids. Estimated S$500
    ·         Repair some of the walk ways planks and bedroom “holes”. Estimated cost: S$500
    ·         Improve ventilations in the rooms with fans. 4 fans @ S$100 = S$400
    ·         Upgrade the kitchen area with newer wooden wall and paint, and a bigger dining table & more chairs. Estimated S$500
    ·         *Build a study/play room & bedroom in the open ground nest to the kitchen (see attached photo & floor p;an- Attachment #5, if funds is met).  Estimated S$20,000
    Total estimated cost: S$2,000 & *S$20,000=

    What we intent to do to  accomplish the above plans:

    ·         Funds raising through events ( see Attachment#6)
    ·         Appeal to corporate support,
    ·         Individual donors

     Corporate Sponsorship
    It is our sincerest hope that some of the corporations in Batam and Singapore can come to aid. There are 2 types of support we need from corporate:
    ·         Long term adoption-sponsorship program.
    Company will allocate a certain amount of money on a yearly or regular basis.
    ·         A one- off donation.
    ·         Materials & skills contributions (materials, equipment, trainers/volunteers time)

    What we will do in return for the support:
    ·         Mentioned and print your company name and logo at the outdoor signage, at every event held, and printed materials.
    ·         Be a member of the executive committee board of CCL.
    ·         Because of our wide contacts, we will assist you/company for certain contacts in Riau should you need.
    ·         Should you want to launch a business or product in Riau, we can assist you with relevant information and contacts.
    ·         Should you require certain manpower, we can also help to refer candidates to you.
    ·         As most of us in the Lions Club Batam Tourism we are also members and exco members of the Batam Hotel & Restaurants Association, we are particularly  resourceful in this industry.

    ·         Individual Donors
    We welcome individual donors, contributions can be in forms of money, materials, and/or personal effort.

    Appendages
    Attachement 1-   Lion Club website; Lions Club Batam Tourism website
    Friends of Riau write up.
    *Attachment 2- Photos of CCL and *Letter of Authorisation to Lions for using the Buildingfrom local authority.
    Attachment 3- Floor Plan for the play-prescholl classroom & library, and currilum outline.
    Attachment #4- Computer room floor plan & curriculums. Photos of the inside building.
    Attachment #5- Photos of Aini home, and floor plan for the study/play room.
    Attachment #6

    ·          1st Funds Raising Event on the 21St May 2011
    This event is organized by Friends of RIAU  together with Lion Club Batam Tourism
    Proposed Program:
    Event Venue: KTM Resort Hotel, Sekupang Batam
    Package 1- Day Trip,
    11 am- Arrive at Sekupan KTM Resorts
    12 noon- Lunch
    12.30pm- visit to CCL for a 2 hour program. Program includes music performance and games for the orphans. Light foods will be provided.  Followed by a short visit to the Aini Home.
    4 pm- tree planting program, buy a tree sapling and adopt it, cost $50. All proceeds go to charity.
    5- 7 pm- free time
    7 pm- Dinner & Entertainment , live music performance by band and volunteer singers. Each singer will sing for money audience is encouraged to give $ for good performances , there will be jewelry auctioning, follow by a public karaoke session, each participant to donate $10 per song to sing/perform. There will be sales of jewelry & other products, and personal portraits session during the whole evening.
    -The ticket for 2 day 1 night hotel (inclusive of lunch, dinner & entertainment, and breakfast) and return ferry tickets= S$100 per head.
    -For 1 day trip which include return ferry ticket & transfer, lunch and day visit to the center- S$60

    2 day/ 1 night Stay at KTM
    S$30 per head inclusive of breakfast and transfers.
    We aim to raise S$10,000 through sales of dinner tickets and all of the mentioned activities.



    Community Center for Learning (CCL)


























    Inside CCL




    Aini Orphan Home

    Walk Way to the home









































    Kitchen

    Future Study & bed oom
    Ibu Aini & her husband




    CCL Floor Plan