Ugly Ogling Ogre

Once upon a time, there lived an ugly ogling ogre who had a kind heart. He was a vegetarian. He was in love with Ohoho. Huh? Did I get your attention?

The power of storytelling is something that we fully understood and enjoyed as children, but somehow forgot as we grew older. Our brain waves would change during a presentation when the presenter says the magic words, "Let me tell you a story..." Those about to doze off would be jolted. Unconsciously, bodies lean forward, ears prick up and attention levels jump.

This year, I have the chance to reacquaint with this power as I was roped in to teach. I become a ‘Jataka Penglipur Lara’ to a bunch of 7 and 8 years old kids. Theoretically, it should be a stroll in the park especially since the stories are all compiled in the text book. Lo and behold! It is easier said than done as these millennium kids will have no patience to sit still for an hour to listen to this Generation X babbling away without any visual aid. Traditional way of bulldozing my way does not work anymore! Either I arouse them or I lose them!

I need to crack my head to utilize various props and tools. I need to combine the hardware and software! I can build up the expectation and suspense by parading these gadgets but the last thing I want is to disappoint them with boring contents and delivery.

I downloaded some Jataka tales from YouTube and shared them in the class, using laptop and LCD projector. The kids did not seem excited. Perhaps they were expecting more action packed scenes. I mixed these tales with other short animations. As expected, a few who had this notion ‘computer means games’, tried their luck, “ Teacher, can we play computer games?”. The answer was a no brainer!

The first time when I wheeled in the overhead projector, they were curious and wondered if I were showing them a Transformer! They were totally clueless with this piece of junk.

It was totally different reaction from seeing a computer. They must have been disappointed when the projector was switched on! Nothing transformed and nothing moved. Being smart kids, a few quickly found ways to amuse themselves by shadow playing with their hands!

Personally, the best tool to tell these stories was to get them to role play or act them out! This method would allow them to burn all their excess energy and voila, some hidden talents were unearthed. Initially, they would be coy and preferred to take the role of extras but after a few takes; many would love to be the hero and heroine! Perhaps they could do a better job than Keanu Reeves in portraying our great teacher.

The power of storytelling is too powerful to ignore. It is an effective and fun way to acquire knowledge.

We seldom remember key points stated as stark, bare facts. But we do remember stories and the powerful principles and messages that are subtly embedded inside them. This awesome power of storytelling is something that we can harness and arm these kids with.

Who knows, 20 years from now during the 100 year celebrations, a few will become prominent public speakers and will look back and say, ”..apa nama, I have my first break in BISDS..” The rest is history.

An Evening With Cancer Patients

Ling, 59 was diagnosed with nose cancer a year ago. He had to stop work as a machine operator as the fainting spells could lead to industrial accident. He has been going in and out of hospital for his chemotherapy. As he has difficulties in eating, he survives on soft diet. At times, he salivated looking at those delicious food on the table. Recently he was able to eat rice but has to drown plenty of liquid to down the grain. He has just finished his evening tea and as he was speaking, traces of tea was dripping from his mouth. He was not bitter. In fact, he enlightened me with these statements. "You can still live if you are poor and have no money! But you can't live if you are not healthy!" "You can consider this illness as a blessing or payback time for all the sins committed. But I consider it as a blessing. My 3 kids have all grown up and I have fulfilled my responsibilities. Imagine if they are still in school - Die Also Must Work! (Malaysian English)

Leong, early 50s has a growth in his neck. He was a tile and marble contractor working in Dubai. Life was good there. Prior to there, he had a stint in Doha. 1 day he coughed blood and did not take it seriously. He thought it could be due to the hot weather. He did visit GP and popped in the normal drug. Then he felt a tumor in the neck. As the tumor was moving around from left to right and grew in size, he panicked. Worst fear was confirmed - neck cancer. He was fasting since morning and was waiting to be wheeled to the operation theater to remove the tumor. He did open up with tales on Dubai. 1 funny tale was on how they went searching for pork. Aagh! Chinaman, must have pork! (Reminded me of my uni days, where we would ride to the nearby town, 10km away for our weekly fix on pork!). Apparently, there was an 'underground' mainland Chinese joint, operating from an apartment room that served the roasted meat - char siew! The shop was always full as tables were limited.

Sik, 80 has growth in his hand. He started sharing his life story in traditional Hokkien. Came from China at the age of 19 in 1947 and had toiled hard over the decades to bring food to the family. Managed to balik kampong in 1995 and said there was massive development there. Asked about my folks and was surprised to hear that they were born here! Exchanged further note and he noted that my ancestors' kampong was nearby to his. I have no clue and just nodded as the only kampong I know is Kampong Air Panas, Kuala Lumpur!

Khairi, mid 50s from Teluk Intan. He 'kerja kampong' - that was what he said when asked about his profession. Stricken with lung cancer, he had since quit smoking. Few kids are still in school. The medical facilities are inadequate thus has to travel more than 100km by public bus to get his treatment in the city. Wife was there to accompany him. They have to depend on their folks back home to take care of the children. Wife has been sleeping on the floor and only on the bed if there is a spare bed in the ward. His only wish is to go home to be with his kids.

Najib, early 20s had his right leg amputated to contain the bone cancer. This boy was pale. Spoke to his elderly mom. They came from Banting. Najib had stopped schooling after SPM as the disease spread. The mom has been at his bedside ever since, taking care of his needs. That's motherly love at the highest level!

Samy, newly wed with a pregnant wife, was emotional to see us. After lenghty spells of headaches and many visit to different doctors, he was diagnosed with brain cancer. My mate massaged him which brought some relief. There was sign of bedsores!

An evening with cancer patients. It reminded me that the big C disease does not follow a quota system. It can struck anytime and has no sentimental value for auspicious dates like 08.08.08 or 2020! It does not discriminate and does not give 2 hoots on the colour of your skin, age, profession etc! And you cannot bribe it away! The scary part is all parts of your body can be 'attacked'!

So let us start leading a healthy lifestyle. Watch our diet, take care of our mental and physical conditions. Curb our anger and spread loving kindness! May You Be Free From Mental And Physical Suffering!

All names had been changed! Pic - strive diligently before you turn into T-Rex!

Organ For Sale

Demand is more than supply. The stakeholders are going ‘alternative’ to persuade organ donation. Taipei city government offers free funerals for cadaveric organ donors. Professor of Surgery Emeritus at Cambridge University, Sir Roy Calne suggested commercialization to drum up support as the donation rates have not risen in 10 years.

Financial reward is a ‘dirty word’ in organ donation. The pro group said it is not a bribe, just a token for the generosity. Other suggestion was to accord hospital care system for the immediate family members. In the local context, how about a Datukship for a real hero whose organs save lives! Dato Organ or Dato Transplant!

Statistically, there are 2,600 new patients who are diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure each year. More than 16,000 patients are on dialysis programs. The organ procurement rate still hovers at 1.31 per one million population (Spain has the highest recorded donor rate in the world at 35.1 per million population.)

What other ways to market organ donation? The Thai Red Cross placed advertisements in cinemas and on prime time television to reach out to the masses. Thai celebrities who carry donor cards became ambassadors of the cause and there were soap operas about organ donation.

So how can you play a role? Make a choice. Talk to your family members about your choice so that your choice would be respected. Spread the word: organ donation saves lives.

pic - not this musical organ! but your kidneys, liver, eyes and all the body parts!

Preparing For Approaching Death

Hospice offers a comprehensive program of care to patients facing life threatening illnesses. It emphasizes palliative rather than curative treatment; quality rather than quantity of life. The dying is comforted. Care plan, emotional, spiritual and practical supports are given based on patient's wishes and needs. Hospice affirms life and regards dying as a normal process. It neither hastens nor postpones death. It provides a caring community so that patient and family members can attain the necessary preparation for a death that is satisfactory to them.

The dying has a variety of physical, spiritual, emotional and social needs. The nature of dying is unique . The goal of the hospice team is to be sensitive and responsive to the special requirements of each patient.

There are 2 established centre in Klang Valley. Kasih Hospice (www.kasih-hospice.org) and Hospis Malaysia (www.hospismalaysia.org). Both provide services free of charge. They are funded through contributions by the families of patients, donations and corporate pledges. How can we contribute? We can contribute our time or money. Join in their activities. Be a volunteer and be humbled by the experiences.

Tarak cakap tak serupa bikin. I 'signed up' as a volunteer recently and have visited the oncology ward at GH twice. (1st Sunday of the month for 2 hours). Just lent our ears to the patients. Majorities were not from KL and needed shoulders to cry on. On the last visit, an elderly uncle, who was just a few beds away returned to the Maker, surrounded by his children! RIP!

pic - mummy package not included!

Real Charity

True charity is when we give without expecting anything in return. If we expect material benefits, we are bartering! We should not use charity as a way to exercise control over others. Charity is an act that reduces greed and selfishness. It brings joy to both giver and recipient.

We can give many things in addition to $$$. Food for the hungry and clothes for the poor. Time and energy for the friends in need! Part of body like blood and organ for the sake of others! Ultimately, sacrifice own live to saves lives!

Pause and reflect. Are we giving enough or are we just keep on taking. Start now, doing something for your loved ones. Charity begins at home!

Organ Donation

Not asking you to donate the musical instrument left rotting in your store room to Szechuan disaster fund! Yes the other organ. Your body parts i.e. eyes, kidneys, liver etc. Check out this website www.mst.org.my/donorreg.html#

Just register and pledge your organ. They will do the rest. You would not feel any pain. With this fuel hike, government ask us to change our lifestyle, so 'why are we waiting'? Just Do It.

Just imagine - your eyes could give sights to a beautiful girl or to a boy who then can set his eyes on beautiful girls!.. Your kidneys, perhaps to 2 middle aged ladies who could give birth to more beautiful girls.. Need more convincing? Harimau tinggalkan belang, so let us tinggalkan organ! macam- macam organ!

Giving will reduce greed!