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Recently, there was a video went viral, it was about a university lecturer interrogating a student why did he still uses mobile phone instead of computer for classes. When he realised the student family’s financial condition was bad, he sarcastically suggested that his sister should sell off her gold necklace to buy a computer for him. The teacher went even further and said that in his schooling years, he never sits with students of B40 group (low income group), because he claimed that they were always distracted and cannot focus….
There is a popular saying that “Opportunity always gives to those who are ready.” However, not everyone can get ready by themselves! Getting an opportunity is even tougher. Are we supposed to keep a distance from them? Or be the person who gives others opportunity? While our reporters interviewed 2 primary schools in Batu Pahat and Ipoh to gather information on the effect of pandemic towards students, they also took the opportunity to interviewed local 7979 Companionship Class teachers to get a clearer picture of the situation. Other than this, they also sought advises from assistant lecturer Dr. Crendy Tan of Child Developmental Psychology, to have a deeper understanding of students’ needs and situation. | Internet – When We Don’t Have it , it is a Trouble; But when we have it, it can be a Problem
Teacher Liew pointed out: “Although most of the students attended online classes, but the submission of homework rate was very low.” Teacher Chong added: “Even for students who performed well in physical class, sometimes didn’t hand in their homework too.”
Teacher Tu said: “Students gotten used to attend classes from home, which is more relaxing and less homework, therefore it is common phenomena to see students became lazier when they are back to school environment.” Teacher Choo continued on to share: “Some students’ family backgrounds are more complicated, their parents are too occupied with finding livelihood for the family, thus they neglected their children’s education. In addition, students having difficulties to focus on studies, therefore they seriously need someone to be concerned of their studies.” Assistant Principal Lee recalled some under privileged families’ condition and expressed: “Students from families who are financially lacking, their families’ condition became worse when they have to be equip with full set of computer gadget or purchasing a mobile phone to attend online classes, plus the high data consumption, all these caused tremendous pressure to many parents. It was worse for parents who are worrying of losing their jobs or business becoming bad.” Thankfully, the school helped them to apply for subsidies for computer gadgets to attend online classes, they also gave some food supplies to families in difficulties. “There was a family, the father passed away due to cancer, their mother is a Vietnamese, the student did not attend classes for weeks. So my school’s principal assigned me to help them to set up a full set of computer with necessary gadget to attend online classes. Later, I noticed that their internet data used up very quickly, after some probing, then only we realised that they used it to watch Vietnamese drama!” Teacher Loo shared humorously some of her interesting experience in helping students with mix feelings of upset and uncomprehend. “No wonder they took 4 hours to complete 2 homework!” Ipoh Elim Gospel Hall Companionship Class Teacher Qian Wen shared, she had encountered a student who attended online class while watching You Tube. There was another case, where the student shared with Teacher Jie Zhi that he doesn’t do any other thing while classes on, but he can only focus for a while, then his mind get strayed away very quickly. Teacher Wong expressed that her school did intervened into a case of a female student who had make online bad friend, this incident caught the school and parents’ attention. Dr. Tan responded: “Children need to express their emotion and feelings appropriately, if their feelings or emotions being suppressed for too long, then they may turn out to be in the two extreme expressions of either apathy or too enthusiastic.” The influence of enticing virtual world brought by internet cannot be ignored. When a primary student who still lack of discipline owns a mobile phone that can access to internet, and without adult supervision, that can be disastrous. | Do not use grades and performance to rush growth
Dr. Tan reminded: “As students have less opportunities to ask and answer questions in an online class setting, interaction is also lacking, these leads to great disadvantage and slowing down of their growth in speech foundation and development.”
Nevertheless, Teacher Jie Zhi expressed that online class is not all bad, it definitely benefiting students who do poorly in school in two major ways. As their homework became lesser, students are not required to hand in homework on the following day. Thus, Companionship Class’s teachers were able to teach the students according to individual progress and ensured that they fully understand the lesson before moving on. In the past two years, students and teachers had the privilege to learn and teach at their own pace, they don’t have to rush to catch up with the mass. Teachers play very important role in school, other than they need to cultivate the students from young to have habits of setting up goals and direction, they also have to help them to be responsible and civic minded. Assistant Principal Lee who had 18 years teaching experience shared this. She added on to say: “We should not assess a student just base on their grades, it has to be more diversify, such as art, skills and character. Currently, Chinese primary school no longer use grades in class arrangement, our main consideration is to avoid using grades to label a student. Every student has his or her own strengths and weaknesses, by guiding them, their potential can be better developed.” Teacher Hong, a teacher who had taught for over 20 years in a Chinese primary school in Ipoh shared to us: “It is an accomplishment for us to be able to shape a student. They heard too many negative voices, so whenever the students shown some progress, I’ll praise them exaggeratedly.” Teacher Hong herself was originated from an under privilege family, back then she was doing not very well in school. But in her standard 6 years, she met a good teacher who gave her an opportunity which had totally transformed her life. Now, she wishes to be this type of teacher too, she hopes that the children will remember there was a teacher who praised them when no one acknowledges them. | Create a Learning Space
Gereja Ern Tian, Batu Pahat Companionship Class’s teacher said: “During MCO period, when the children remained at home, they kept on eating, so costs a lot. But when the children attend Companionship Class, their lunch and tea break are being taken care of, this has reduced their parents’ household expenses, especially for those families that have many children. Sometimes, kind hearted brothers and sisters will share with the children some special delicacies to bless them too.”
“There was one student who shared with me, that he will played mobile game from the moment he wakes up till at night.” Teacher Jie Zhi shared frustratingly. Thankfully, when the school and Companionship Class resumed physical classes, he returned to being eager in learning, he even informed the teacher which subject he needs to put in extra efforts. Teacher Qian Wen shared with thankful heart: “Now, they are in their learning prime age, if they don’t learn now, then it’ll be a waste of time which will be a pity.” The teaches are aware that the time they can spend with the children is very limited, therefore they think that it is important for the children to build strong foundation and cultivate good habit in their primary school years. Teacher Jie Zhi told us, when brothers and sisters in their church saw that the children can spend hours focusing on their homework, they wanted their children to join Companionship Class too, but they were rejected based on unfulfilled requirement. Dr. Tan emphasised: “Peers social interaction is very important, children learn from interacting and observing others.” Therefore, when a child does not have self-discipline to learn, then they need to be confined in a space together with other students to learn, I belief good learning habit will be easier to build with the addition of teacher’s company and guidance. 7979 Under Privilege Children Companionship Class programme is a place of preparing opportunities to children. HISTEAM has been promoting this programme since our first trial in year 2012 until now. Under Privilege Children Companionship Class programme provides homework guidance, life coaching and family care.
If you wish to know more about Under Privilege Children Companionship Class programme, give the children an opportunity to turn things around, please click the link below: Notes: 1. All the primary school teachers’ names are pseudonym. 2. However all the names of Companionship Class teachers are their real name. 前一阵子,网络疯传一个视频,关于某大学讲师质问一位学院生,为何仍使用手机上课,而非手提电脑。当得知该名学院生家境困难后,这名讲师讽刺他,叫他让姐姐把金链卖了换取电脑。不单如此,讲师还说自己在求学时期不会与B40(低收入群体)同学同坐,因为他们经常分心,无法专注于学业…… 常听人说,机会是留给准备好的人。但其实不是每个人都有能力靠自己准备,更不容易遇上机会。我们应该远离他们?还是成为一个给予别人机会的人呢? 本团队采访记者走访峇株巴辖和怡保的两所华小,收集疫情在过去2年对学生所产生影响的资讯,也顺道采访当地开办7979弱势儿童陪读方案的陪读老师,了解学生的实况。另外,还向儿童心理发展学博士陈燕婷副教授请教,深入探究学生的需要和处境。 | 网络—--没有是困扰,有了也烦恼 刘老师表示:“虽然大部分学生都出席网课,但功课的呈交率相当低。”张老师补充:“就连平时在实体课表现优异的学生,有时也没呈交功课。” 涂老师说:“学生已逐渐习惯在家的上课模式,比较轻松随意且功课少,因此出现学生返校后变得懒散的现象。” 接下来,朱老师分享道:“部分学生的家庭背景比较复杂,家长忙于应付生计,难以兼顾孩子的学业,再加上孩子也难以专注上课,因此非常需要有人关心他们的课业。” 李副校长回想起一些弱势家庭的处境后表示:“原本家庭条件欠缺的学生,如今需要各种配备如电脑、平板或电话,加上网课需要大量的互联网数据,对许多家长来说,真的是被压得喘不过气来。对于一些面临失业或生意欠佳的家长,更是雪上加霜。” 所幸,校方为他们申请了网课配备的补助,也为困难家庭送上物资。 “有一个家庭,爸爸癌症过世,妈妈是越南人,学生连续数周都没上课。于是,校长安排我为他们签办网络配套。后来发现网络数据总用得很快,一查之下才发现,原来是因为他使用上网数据来看越南戏!”吕老师好气又好笑地分享她在帮助学生时的有趣经历。 “难怪两份功课,却用了4小时才完成!”怡保以琳福音堂陪读班的倩雯老师告知,遇过一名学生一边上课,一边上优管(YouTube)。曾经,还有学生告诉洁芝老师,他上网课时很专心并没有做其他事,但是上课一阵子后却开始慌神和发呆了。 黄老师表示,校方曾经介入一位女同学在网络上误交损友的事件,这件事惊动了校方和家长。陈博士回应:“儿童在情绪和情感上需要适当抒发,若长时间没办法表达,可能换来过于冷漠或太过热情的极端表现。” 网络的花花世界带来的影响不容忽视。当缺乏自律的小学生拥有一架可以上网的手机,身边却没有人督促他,后果将不堪设想。 | 别用成绩和绩效来赶羊 陈博士提醒:“由于学生在网课中缺乏发问和回答的机会,加上极少互动环节,因此在他们语言基础及认知方面将大吃一亏,成长速度较为缓慢。” 虽然如此,梁洁芝老师表示,上网课也不全是坏处,至少对课业表现弱的学生有两大好处。由于功课较少,学生也不必隔天交功课,陪读班老师可以按照学生的学习进度施教,确保学生能掌握和吸收。这两年来,学生和老师都可以在不用“赶羊”的情况下,好好地学习和教学。 “老师在学校扮演着非常重要的角色,除了必须从小灌输学生设目标和方向,也培养他们的责任感和公民意识。”从事教育界18年的李副校长循循善诱地说。她补充:“我们不能只以成绩评估学生,而是应该从多方面评估,比如艺术、技能和品格。华小如今也不再按照成绩分班级,主要考量是不以成绩来标签学生。每个学生有各自的强弱项,都可以透过引导,让他们获得更好的发挥。” 在怡保某所华小任教约20年的洪老师向我们说:“可以造就学生,是一种成就。他们有太多否定的声音了,所以当学生有进步,她就会夸张地赞美。”洪老师小时候来自弱势贫困的家庭,成绩也不理想。但在6年级那年,她遇到了好老师给予机会,这改变了她的一生。如今,她也想要成为这样的老师。她希望孩子记得,当没人欣赏他们的时候,曾经有那么一位老师会赞美他。 | 缔造一个学习的空间 峇株吧辖恩典堂陪读班老师说:“之前MCO(行动管制令)期间,孩子在家时一直吃,是一笔很大的开销。孩子来陪读班享用午餐和茶点,让家长省去很多饮食开销,尤其是有好几个兄弟姐妹的家庭。有时,还有弟兄姐妹爱心奉献一些特别的食物,让孩子们享享口福。” “有个学生告诉我,他从早上起来就玩电动直到晚上。” 洁芝老师无奈地告诉我们。但当学校和陪读班恢复实体课后,他又开始积极学习了,并且还会主动告知老师自己在哪个科目上需要多加强。倩雯老师更是感慨万分地说:“他们现在正是读书的年龄,如果现在不读书就是浪费时间,太可惜了。” 老师们晓得能陪伴学生的时间相当有限,因此认为小学时期就需要打好根基和建立好习惯。 洁芝老师告知,当一些教友看到陪读班学生可以认真花几个小时做功课,也想让自己的孩子来,但碍于条件不符合而被婉拒。陈博士也强调:“同侪社交互动非常重要,儿童需要透过与人的互动和观察来彼此学习。” 因此,当孩子无法自律学习时,如果有一个地方,那里有一班同学一起学习,加上老师的陪伴和督导,我认为学习习惯将更容易建立起来。 7979弱势儿童陪读方案,正是一个为小学生准备机会的地方。全人关怀团队从2012年开始7979弱势儿童陪读方案,并推动至今。弱势儿童陪读方案为学生提供课业辅导、生命教育及家庭关怀。 欲了解更多7979弱势儿童陪读方案的详情,给他们一次翻身的机会,请点击: 注: 1. 华小老师一律以匿姓称呼 2. 陪读班老师则使用真名 CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH VERSION
“Many youths are rebellious ….”, “Many children became delinquent when they enter secondary school …”
Have you heard of these kind of comments before, or spoke of such statements too, or you are the “rebellious child” that others were referring to? Children ranging from 13 to 18 years old, in their secondary school years, are in the stage of exploring themselves and the outside world. Although, they have their own thinking, but still not completely mature and independent, they are curious of the world, like to go out and explore. This is the moment, that the parents think that their children become “disobedient” or “delinquent and rebellious”. 【When A Child Grew Up】
Ipoh Elim Gospel Hall 7979 Holistic Care Station has been running primary school children Companionship Class for nine years, they had accompanied many under privilege children completed their primary school education. The teachers worked hard not only in teaching but also in preparing good foundation for character building. After they graduated from primary schools, they have less contact with each other. In order to prevent this precious relationship from fading away, the teachers will gather these children to meet once a month to catch-up with each other. Then, the teachers discovered that most of them do not have proper learning environment at home, there were too many temptations that distract them from focusing in their studies. In year 2021, Elim Companionship Class decided to open a secondary school Companionship Class, give them a proper learning space to do their homework and revision.
“Whenever the children graduated from primary school, we always felt what a pity it is that we can’t accompany them in their secondary school years, we were worried that they will go astray and led into wrong path …” Teacher Qian Wen of Elim Companionship Class shared. Other than to provide a proper learning space, more importantly, they started this Companionship Class in hoping that the children in their process of exploring themselves and the world, the teachers can accompany and guide them so that they will be a better person. Accompany According to the Needs of Their Age
“Secondary school students are different from primary school students, they have developed their own thinking and mind set.” Elim Gospel Hall’s Volunteer Manager Jie Zhi shared that secondary school children are in an awkward stage of their lives, where they are no more a child, yet they are also not a complete adult too. Although they perceived themselves as an adult, but they are yet to be fully mature. Thus, children at this stage, their relationship with family’s members are usually strain. But when they come to Companionship Class, they’ll pour out their heart to the teachers as these teachers had been accompanying them since young, a deep and trusting relationship had already developed. They can talk about anything from their studies to family and even love relationship. The teachers do not only teach them homework, but also guide them to think and lead them to correct values. Thankfully the children are willing to share their hearts with these teachers, hence the teachers are able to correct any mistakes in time.
“We only hope that they will have good characters, cultivate them to be responsible, as long as they are hardworking, honest, responsible in future they will not become a parasite in our society.” The last sentence spoken by Teacher Jie Zhi had been ringing in my ears. 【Let the Children Learn to Face Their Future】
In our younger days, all of us must have written essay entitled “My Ambition”, irrespective of the occupation, be it “teacher”, “doctor”, “scientist”, “astronauts” etc., these are all direction for our growing years, it points us to the goal that we should work hard on. No matter, later did we achieve our goal, we still had a beautiful dream.
Looking at present days, many children’ dreams are “snatch” by technology. Advance technologies and over flowing of information become hindrance for children to think about their future, instead they become indulge in entertainment. Besides this, they are usually being pressurised by their studies and grades, study for the sake of pursuing excellent result. The children gradually losing their curiosity in learning, “sense of direction” and “sense of urgency”. In 2021, Malaysia Education Ministry announced the abolishment of Std. Six Student Verification Examination (UPSR), in order to let children to learn and develop in a more diversify and balance manner, not emphasising on grades alone. In the long run, the abolishment of UPSR brings more benefits than harms. However, it is not fair for those students that are facing examination. An assistant principal who has been in education field for 18 years shared with us: “When UPSR was abolished, the school has to assess the student based on their daily learning performance, but these two years of frequent online classes had made the assessment became a tough challenge.” What About Our Future
Apart from this, assistant principal also mentioned, that the school will conduct a counselling survey for the student before they move to secondary school to understand their emotional status. “Children nowadays are too ‘happy go lucky’, they are unable to handle challenges they encounter and lack of sense of urgency. They never think and don’t know what they want to be in the future. For these children who do not have any direction in life, teachers can guide them and prevent them from mixing with bad companies.
At the same time, Teacher C shared openly, that she worries that children will choose to quit secondary school because of unfamiliar language environment. “Many teachers’ feedback, they are worry that many secondary students from Chinese primary school will quit school due to they are unable to grasp BM language or bad character due to poor learning”. Under privilege children are more likely to be so, the resources and information that they received are already lacking, if they engage with bad companies then they can easily stray into the wrong path. Youth’s perception of black and white boundaries is still not very clear, in their journey of exploring this world, they need someone to guide them. Elim Secondary School Companionship Class’s student Wei Choong (pseudonym) did shared with Companionship Class’s teachers, that during their online class, only a few students attended classes, and he is the only one hand in homework. “Wei Choong attends Companionship Class since young, he has built up a good character, he is aware of his responsibility as a student to attend classes and complete his homework, even when others did not do their homework, he finished his homework whole heartedly.” Teacher Jie Zhi shared, hopefully their character can be shaped during secondary school years and guide them when they are lost. Grades are not the priority, but good character determines their future. 【Are they considered as good students, when they fail to catch-up in their studies?】
If you do not study hard in Standard 6, how would you go through secondary school?”, or “Until now, you still cannot memorise the multiplication table, what can you do in the future?” Companionship Class Teacher Lim advises Xiao Kang (pseudonym) unremittingly.
Xiao Kang stood and listened quietly over there while shedding his tears. From that moment on, Xiao Kang’s attitude started to change. Xiao Kang started to study hard, he used one week to memorised multiplication table, he watched intensely and put in effort to learn those videos that send to him by Teacher Lim, his BM spelling had also improved tremendously from 0 points to 60 -70 points. Xiao Kang’s improvement gained teacher’s praise, and without his notice his hunger for knowledge has increased gradually. This year Xiao Kang enter secondary school, although he failed in his BM subject so has to attend remove (transition) class, yet he no longer run away from learning, instead he takes initiative in asking questions and seeking assistance, these really comforted Companionship Class teachers. Xiao Kang is Gereja Ern Tian Batu Pahat’s Agape Companionship Class’s student, this year he has just entered secondary school. He joined Companionship Class when he was in his standard 4, after graduated from primary school, the Companionship Class teachers still care for him. During the school holidays before he entered secondary school, he joined homework guidance classes organised by Companionship Class, the teachers also helped him with his secondary school applications. Teacher Hannah of Agape Companionship Class shared frankly, that she herself was a remove (transition) class’s student as well, thus she naturally inclined to help them. She expressed that secondary school’s teachers always send messages in BM, she finds it not easy to understand those messages, it is definitely more difficult for Xiao Kang who just entered secondary school. Struggle in between Two Polar of Surviving and Learning
Compare with others, journey of pursuing education for children of under privilege families is always full of obstacles. Students who are poorer in studies cannot catch-up with their studies due to factors such as no proper learning environment and parents’ negligent. Collided with pandemic, the whole nation entered into an era of “Online Lesson” mode, they ended up caught in between two polar. “We don’t even have enough money for food, how can we spend extra for online lesson facilities!” Parent of one of the Companionship Class student told the teacher, when the issue of surviving appears before learning, they can only choose the option to survive.
Actually all the children wish to study well, but due to lacking of proper learning environment, they failed to catch-up with other students. Elim Gospel Hall’s Teacher Jie Zhi shared that the children of secondary school Companionship Class returned and joined Companionship Class on their own initiatives, because at home alone, they can’t find the motivation to study. Children usually have the desire to learn, but if they can’t find a proper environment to learn, it does not only affect their learning progress, it can also cause them to forgo their education. Secondary school Companionship Class can provide them with a learning environment, where a class of students gather together to complete their homework and do their revision, this is much better than studying hard alone. “很多青少年都很叛逆……”、“孩子上了中学就会学坏……” 你是否曾听过以上言论,或曾说过这些话,亦或是自己本身就是别人口中的“叛逆孩子”? 年龄介于13到18岁的孩子,正处于中学时期,在这个阶段往往想要探索世界与认识自己。他们虽有自己的想法,但却还未完全成熟独立;他们对外面的世界充满好奇,想要一探究竟,开始出外寻找。这时候,家长便觉得孩子们变得“不听话”、“叛逆学坏”了。 【当孩子长大时】 怡保以琳福音堂7979全人关怀站开办小学陪读班已长达9年,陪伴了许多弱势贫穷家庭的孩子完成小学。老师们用心教导,不仅是学业,更是为孩子的品格打好基础。小学毕业后,师生聚少离多,为了不让这份珍贵的感情消散,老师每个月都会聚集孩子们一起团契,分享彼此的生活。老师发现孩子们家中大多没有理想的学习环境,有很多诱惑导致孩子们无法专心学习。2021年,以琳陪读班决定开办中学陪读班,为孩子们营造一个良好的学习空间,让他们做功课与复习。 “当孩子小学毕业后,我们常觉得可惜,为什么不能陪着他们上中学,担心他们会误入歧途……” 以琳陪读班何倩雯老师说到。开办中学陪读班,除了提供学习环境,更重要的是在他们探索世界与认识自己的过程中,陪伴与教导他们分辨是非对错,从而建立他们。 不同的年龄不同的陪伴 “中学生跟小学生不一样,他们开始有自己的想法,有自己的一片天空。” 以琳福音堂志管人洁芝分享,中学生处于不大不小的年龄阶段,他们以为自己是大人,但又未完全成熟,这阶段的孩子往往跟家人的关系不好。但来到中学陪读班,孩子们从小和老师培养关系,本着对老师的信任与安心,孩子们对老师无所不谈,从学业、家庭、甚至爱情。老师不单教导他们功课,也引导他们去思考,引领他们正确的价值观。也正是因为孩子们愿意分享,老师才能及时纠正错误的观念。 “我只希望他们能建立良好品格,培养他们的责任感,只要他们勤力、诚实、负责任,以后就不会是社会上的寄生虫。”洁芝最后说的这句话声犹在耳。 【让孩子学习面对未来】 小时候写作文,我们都写过“我的志愿”,无论是“老师”、“医生”、“科学家”、“太空人”等,都是成长路上的方向,指引着我们努力的目标。无论长大后是否如愿,我们都曾有过美丽的梦想。 场景转换到现今,许多孩子的梦想被科技“扼杀”。先进设备与过多资讯导致孩子们不再思考自己的未来,而是沉迷于当下的玩乐。不仅如此,21世纪的孩子常常被学业成绩“压垮”,读书是为了追逐优异成绩。孩子们渐渐失去学习好奇心的同时,也失去了“方向感”与“危机感”。 2021年,大马教育部宣布全面废除小六检定考试(UPSR),为了让孩子全方位均衡地学习与发展,不再为成绩而活。长远而言,取消UPSR利大于弊。但对应届考生却有所不公。“取消UPSR后,校方需要以孩子平日里学习的表现来评估,但两年来频密的网课,执行这项评估本就是一项挑战。”一位在教育界18年的学校副校长与我们分享道。 我们的未来怎么办 此外,副校长也表示,学校会在孩子升中学前,进行一项辅导问卷,以了解孩子的心理状态。“现在的孩子太乐天知命了,遇到事情往往不知道如何处理,丝毫没有危机感。孩子们对于未来也没思考,不知道自己以后要做些什么。”对于没有目标的孩子,老师能透过引导,避免他们上了中学误交损友。 同一时间,另一位C老师也向我们坦言,担心孩子因为语言环境而排斥不去学校。“中学老师常反馈说,华小的学生上了中学无法掌握国语。我担心他们会因此辍学,或因学习不好而品行学坏。”弱势贫穷家庭的孩子更是如此,他们获得的资源与资讯本就不多,若遇上 “坏朋友” 将很容易误入歧途。 青少年对于是非黑白的界限依然不清晰,当他们在探索世界时,需要有人在旁引导。以琳中学陪读班的学生伟聪(化名)曾对陪读班老师说,上网课时,全班只有寥寥数位同学出席;当老师收作业时,全班就只有他一个人交功课。“从小伟聪就来到陪读班,建立了良好品格。他知道上课和完成作业是他的责任,纵使其他学生不做,他也很勤奋努力完成作业。” 洁芝分享,希望可以在孩子们中学时段建立他们,迷茫的时候引导他们。课业成绩非主要,良好的品行才能让他们立足未来。 【学习跟不上,还能是好学生吗?】 “你6年级还不努力读书,上了中学想怎样过?”、“到现在还不会背乘法表,以后怎么办?”陪读班林老师再次苦口婆心地劝说小康(化名)。 小康安静地站在那里,听着林老师说话,默默流泪。自此之后,小康有了微妙改变。 小康开始刻苦学习,用一星期把乘法表背熟。林老师每天发的学习影片,小康都会用心去学习,马来语听写也从0分进步至六七十分。 小康的进步获得林老师称赞,求知欲不知不觉也提升了。 今年小康升上中学,虽然国文不及格只能上预备班,但他不再逃避学习,而是主动询问与寻求帮助,让陪读班老师倍感欣慰。 小康是峇株巴辖恩典堂爱加倍陪读班的学生,今年刚升中学。他从4年级开始就来上陪读班,小学毕业后老师也格外关心他。小康升中学前的假期,都会参与陪读班学校假期的课业辅导,老师也会帮他打点升中的事情。爱加倍陪读班Hannah老师坦言,自己曾经也是预备班学生,所以会特别想关心他们。她也表示,中学老师常以国文缩写传简讯,自身都有点难理解,何况是刚上中学的小康。 生存与学习之间的两难 相比他人,弱势贫穷家庭孩子的求学之路充满波折。学习较弱的孩子更是因着家中没有理想的学习环境、以及家长的忽略,而跟不上学习进度。现遇疫情,全国进入“网课”模式,他们更是陷入两难。“吃饭都没有钱了,买什么网线配套上学。”一位陪读班孩子的家长曾对老师说,在生存与学习之间,他们只能选择生存。 其实孩子都想好好学习,碍于欠缺良好的学习环境,使他们跟不上同学的学习进度。以琳福音堂洁芝曾分享,中学陪读班的孩子都是主动回来的,因为他们在家里找不到读书动力。孩子们都有求知欲,若没有合适的学习环境,不仅影响学习进度,还会导致他们放弃学习。中学陪读班就能提供他们一个学习环境,让一班孩子在一起做功课与复习,总好过独自一人努力。 CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH VERSION
Kang Jun’s (pseudonym) parents divorced since he was very young, he lives with his grandparents, aunties and sister. In Kang Jun’s primary school years, his daily leisure was lingering at the cybercafé. Every day, after school he would dumped his school bag at home, without doing any homework and out he went cycling away.
One day, his grandmother got to know of Elim Gospel Hall 7979 Holistic Care Station’s Companionship Class from his cousin sister, she decided to let Kang Jun joined this class, hoping that he would study well, no more wandering around or lingering at cybercafé. 『An “Angry Boy” with his Fist』
Kang Jun was in his standard 5, when he first joined Companionship Class.
Initially, he did not take his studies seriously, so when the teachers requested him to finish his homework, he couldn’t take it, he responded with his clenched fists, he was clenching his knuckles so hard until it turned white, he was actually trying hard to hold his temper and stayed composed while feeling that he was being treated unfairly. Ever since then, he was named as a “Feisty Boy”. Later, when Kang Jun mingle with Companionship Class students for quite some time, he noticed that all the children finished their homework on their own initiatives, this automatically alienated him as he didn’t have any interest in doing his homework, slowly lonely feeling driven him to join the rest of the class and started to do his homework as well. Other than homework, his character also causing headaches to the teachers. Due to his bad choice of friends, Kang Jun’s character inevitably influenced by their bad tempers and bad habit of speaking foul words. “The Bible says, we use our mouth to praise God, at the same time use it to speak foul words to curse others, do you think that is appropriate?” Whenever Teacher Jie Zhi heard he used foul words, she would use this method to correct him. Gradually, Kang Jun stopped speaking foul words, because he knew that was something that displeases God. Seed of God fearing had slowly sprouted in his heart. 『I hope I can enter into secondary school』
Close to the end of school term, Companionship Class children had to fill up a feedback form, stated down what they had gained and in which area that they had grown in that one whole year.
“Stop behaving badly”, “more focus”, “temper gone down a lot”, “the teachers had cared for me and assisted me” and etc., these are all the feedbacks that Kang Jun wrote down on his form of what he gained and which area he had grown. He, who in the past used to neglect his homework to the extent of impossible to complete, but now his wish was to be able to enter into secondary school, this had really comforted the teachers. Although Kang Jun result didn’t show any significant improvement, but now he realised how important it is to study, therefore he put more effort into it in Companionship Class. Two years passed by very quickly, Kang Jun graduated from primary school. Because he failed his BM subject, therefore he had to go to remove (transition) class, however he still continued on with the Companionship Class. After he entered into Form 1, he can no longer joined Companionship Class as it clashed with his afternoon schooling session. Teacher Jie Zhi didn’t want to let this 3 years relationship from faded away, so she insisted to gather those children who are in secondary school for fellowship, Kang Jun was one of them. From their sharing, the teachers discovered that Kang Jun had mixed with friends who doesn’t like studying, speak foul words, like to hang out at the cybercafé to play online game, Kang Jun’s character is again being affected. During that period of time, Kang Jun always went home very late, to the extent that his grandmother had to cycle everywhere looking for him. His grandmother felt frustrated, she ended up seeking help from Companionship Class’s teachers. Thankfully, although Kang Jun seems to be very rebellious, yet he was teachable. “Kang Jun, I know that you wanted to go out to play with your friends, but you should not stay outside later than midnight. This kind of behaviour really worries your grandmother.” Teacher Jie Zhi talked patiently to him when she found him. Later, Kang Jun promised that he would be back before 6p.m., so that his family members will not get worried. Meanwhile, he promised to attend the church’s weekly fellowship, compare to cybercafé, his grandmother felt more assuring that he is willing to go to church. 『He had grown up unknowingly』
Few years later, he had moved up to morning session, meanwhile the church had also started Secondary School Companionship Class. Once again, the teacher invited Kang Jun to return to Companionship Class, but he refused, not because he was playful, but on the ground that he was worried about his grandparents, they had been suffering from backache, as they are selling herbal tea which was very labour intensive, he needed to stay at home to help them, and accompanied his grandfather in transporting the herbal tea. All the teachers felt that Kang Jun had suddenly grown up, even though they thought what a pity that he was unable to attend the Companionship Class, but his filial actions were more meaningful than anything else.
In year 2021, Kang Jun turned 18, he was baptised in church and became the first Companionship Class student that received baptism. He just completed his SPM examination, although we know that his result might not be what we are hoping for, and his learning ability is consider a little slow, but best of all Kang Jun is willing to learn and accept all kinds of challenges. “Our living environment might not be like what we are hoping for, if the environment can’t be change, then we can only choose to adapt.” This is what Teacher Jie Zhi taught Kang Jun. The ability to adapt is very important, if the environment doesn’t change, then we have to learn to adapt, that is the only way to survive. Kang Jun is about to enter into the society, he hopes to learn some repairing hands on skill for a living. “Hope that he’ll not turn out to be a parasite in our society, as long as he can self-sustain, that is already a great contribution to the society.” Teacher Jie Zhi spoke honestly, everyone has different ability, if we can live a proper life in our circle of life, then the equilibrium of our society will not be broken. Lastly, Teacher Jie Zhi offer a blessing to Kang Jun: “Hope that he’ll continue to fear God, as long as he fears God, then all the things he does will be good.” Actually, this is a wish that all Companionship Class teachers have for every Companionship Class student. “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:9-10: 康俊(化名)自小父母离异,和爷爷奶奶、姑婆还有姐姐住在一起。小学时期,康俊每天的乐趣就是在放学后把书包丢在家里,功课也不做便骑上脚车往外跑,也经常到网吧打游戏。 某一天,当奶奶听到康俊表妹介绍怡保以琳福音堂7979全人关怀站开办的陪读班时,便让康俊参加,希望他能好好学习,不再到处游逛,更不再去网吧。 『握紧拳头的“愤怒少年”』 刚来到陪读班时,康俊5年级。 起初,康俊不以学业为重,所以当老师让康俊完成功课时,他不能接受,握起双拳表示不满。小拳头因为握得太用力而泛红,康俊像是受了委屈般努力地隐忍,默默在一旁生闷气。从此,康俊便被冠上“愤怒少年”的外号。 在陪读班的日子久了,康俊看着身边同学们自动自发地完成功课,不爱做功课的他一个人待着也觉得无聊,便开始跟着大家做功课了。 除了功课,康俊的品格也是让老师头疼不已。因着康俊结交的朋友圈都有着坏脾气、骂粗口等习惯,因此康俊便理所当然地形成这样的品格。 “圣经说,我们用同一张嘴巴赞美神,又用同一张嘴巴去讲污秽的话咒诅别人,你觉得这样合宜吗?”洁芝老师在听见康俊骂粗口时,就会如此教导他。康俊慢慢地不再骂粗口,因为他知道这是上帝不喜悦的事情。 敬畏上帝的生命在他心里开始萌芽。 『希望我可以上中学』 年尾学期结束,陪读班学生需要填写一张反馈表格,表述自己一年里的收获与成长。 “改变不好的行为”、“比较专心”、“脾气变得温和”、“得到老师关心与帮助”等,都是康俊在呈上的表格里选择的收获与成长。曾经不注重学业的他,完成功课都难如登天,如今却让老师感到欣慰,更是写下“希望我可以上中学”。在陪读班里,虽然康俊的成绩依然没有显著的进步,但他开始发现学习的重要,并加以重视。 两年很快过去,康俊从小学毕业了。由于国语不及格只能上预备班,这一年康俊依然参与陪读班。上了中一后,下午班导致康俊无法继续参加陪读班了。 洁芝老师不想因此断了3年的感情,坚持每个月把上了中学的陪读班孩子们约在一起团契,康俊就是其中一位。从彼此分享的生活境况中,老师发现康俊在学校里结交到一班朋友,大家说粗口、不爱读书、每天都会跑到网吧打游戏,康俊的品格再次被影响。 那段时期,康俊常常晚归,甚至需要奶奶骑着脚车到处寻找他。奶奶着实无奈,只好找到陪读班老师帮忙。 感恩的是,虽然康俊叛逆的行径不断,但他还是肯听劝。 “康俊,我知道你想要出去和朋友玩,但是你不能到半夜还不回家。这样奶奶会担心你的。”洁芝老师找到康俊,耐心地与他谈话。 往后,康俊答应每天会在傍晚6点回家,不再让家人担心。同时,他每个星期也愿意来到教会参加团契,相比起网吧,他愿意来教会,奶奶相对安心。 『原来他悄悄长大了』 后来,康俊转为早上班,教会也开始中学陪读班。老师再次邀请康俊回到陪读班,但是康俊拒绝了。这次,不是因为贪玩,而是担心家中老迈的爷爷奶奶。他们时常会腰骨痛,平日里制作凉水贩卖是需要大量体力的。康俊想要留在家中帮他们,再陪着爷爷运送凉水。老师们觉得康俊忽然之间长大了,相比他不来陪读班的可惜,这份孝心更是让人感动。 2021年,康俊18岁,在教会完成了洗礼仪式,也是以琳福音堂陪读班第一位洗礼的孩子。今年刚考完SPM,虽然学业成绩不一定能如愿,学习能力相比他人也不算快,但康俊愿意学习也愿意尝试各种挑战。 “生活环境有时候未必如你所愿,如果环境一直不改变,我们就要学习去适应。”这是洁芝老师对康俊的教导。适应能力很重要,若环境不能改变,就要学习去适应,才能更好地生存下去。 康俊即将步入社会,希望可以学习一门维修手艺维生。“希望他不要成为社会的寄生虫,只要能自给自足,对社会而言就是莫大的贡献。”洁芝老师坦言,每个人的能力不同,在自己的能力范围内努力生活,就不会破坏社会的安宁。 最后,洁芝老师对康俊献上祝福:“希望他能够继续敬畏神,只要他敬畏神,他所做的一切事就不会变坏。”而这也是陪读班老师对所有陪读班孩子最大的期望。 我们用舌头颂赞那为主为父的、又用舌头咒诅那照着 神形像被造的人. 颂赞和咒诅从一个口里出来!我的弟兄们,这是不应当的! - 雅各书3:9-10 - CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH VERSION
Flooded houses were gravely in need of repairs. Stained wall due to inundation, submerged electrical items, furnitures and fittings, transportation vehicles that could not be removed in time, replacement of internal and external power sockets, all these involved substantial cost. However, we must understand not every disaster hit families have the financial means to rebuild their houses. Especially the extreme poverty group or under privilege group, this reparing cost was a huge burden to them. If after they had exhausted all their resources, and they still weren’t able to come up with any sum of money for repairing work, then they could only choose to live carefully in a hazardous surrounding of short circuited wire, sharp points or loose parts while avoiding themselves from getting injured. Due to the facts that these families will need more external resources, therefore, the local churches become a good channel for resource circulation.
The Peninsular Great Flood in Dec. 2021, had caused estimated loss of RM2 billion. The pandemic was not totally over yet, and Peninsular was hit with a great flood, it was a calamity followed by another. The first two weeks after the flood, our first phase of disaster response focused mainly on cleaning, aiming to assist the flood victim to resume their normal routine as soon as possible. 7979 worked together with local churches at 6 disaster zones, mobilised 918 volunteers, cleaned 187 civilian houses, 5 schools and a kindergarten, 19 shops, 3 church buildings and 1 old folks home. Immediately after that, 7979 launched a Flood Assistance Aid for churches to help families that were in critical needs. Through 8 local churches, 7979 had assisted 290 families, these monetary aid had enabled the disaster victims to buy the necessity. Besides this, a few churches in Klang had also come together to apply for Manna Food Bags to be given to 156 indigemous households. Flood Assistance Aid became a timely support to the local churches to enable them to show concern to their disaster victims. - Home is Refuge for Everyone -
7979 Home Rebuilding Plan and Flood Assistance Aid were launched together. The churches would evaluate the need of home rebuilding for under privilege families such as low income households, single parent families or families with disables bodies. Assistance provided such as purchasing of needed materials for rebuilding, repair and repaint of walls, roof or the house structure, purchase of electrical items and furniture. Up untill April, through Grace Charismatic Fellowship, Full Gospel Mission Centre Jelebu, Bentong Gospel Hall, Gospel to the Poor and FaithWorks, there were 42 households benefited from this effort.
- Rainbow that Appears after the Rain -
Children who experienced major disaster also suffered losses as great as the adult. Their much loved school bags, books, stationaries, toys and etc. went missing or broken due to the flood. Actually a child is more vulnerable compare to adult, because they do not know how to express themselves or manage their emotion, therefore they fall under our major concern group as well.
SRJK(C) Khe Beng which located in the vicinity of Taman Sri Muda also had 195 students from disaster hit families. Through the Parents and Teachers Society, other than Popular Book Store’s voucher that allowed them to buy anything that they want, 7979 also gave a quality hygiene pack to each child to educate them on the knowledge of Risk Reduction and Prevention.
- For Me, the Flood is a Blessing in Disguise -
This flood had led Bentong Gospel Hall to Mdm. Jin. Half a year before the flood, Mdm. Jin had lost her spouse, her son returned to the city to work after the funerral, she was left alone in their old house.
This old wooden house was very spacious, to a lonely senior citizen the house seems to be bigger. When the flood hit, the gushing 5 feet flood water had destroyed the house’s wooden floor, walls and furniture, it also swept away small electrical items. Bentong Gospel Hall assisted Mdm. Jin to apply for Flood Assistance Aid for immediate relief. Seeing her neighbours already started to rebuild their homes, she however had to live very cautiously, because her house’s wooden flooring has protruded from its surface which became hazardrous, matters bacame worse when mold started to grow on wooden wall and flooring, door frame also became deformed, structure starting to pose threat. Due to this big scale of house damage, the subsidies she received from political party was not suffice to do all the required repair work, her son’s meager income was also not able to cover much, therefore she had to put all the repair work on hold. Thankfully, Bentong Gospel Hall extended their hand to Mdm. Jin through 7979 Home Rebuilding Plan, her problem of insufficient fund for house repairing was solved. Now, she has a renovated house with cement floor and walls, and new white ceiling, which is clean and safe to live. It will be able to withstand another big flood in future. Her neighbours also admired and praised for the major overhaul of her house. Mdm. Jin shared with Deacon Abel of Bentong Gospel Hall, she said: “For me, the flood is a blessing in disguise”, she continued on to say: “I want to use this big kichen wisely, I welcome you all come here to organise your cell group meetings. If you are willing, welcome to use this house for meal gatherings as often as you want.” Although Mdm. Jin’s son is seldom by her side, although her house had gone through a great flood, but from this flood of blessing in disguise, she gained a “new house”, joy and frienship. 2021年12月半岛大水灾,经济损失估计高达马币20亿。疫情还未完全结束,半岛却遇上水灾,真是一波未平一波又起。灾后首两周,第一阶段的应灾工作着重在清洗灾区,旨在支援灾区尽快回到原有的生活起居。7979与当地教会携手在6个地点,动员918志工人次,清洗187户民宅、5间学校和幼儿园、19间商店、3间教堂、1间老人院。 紧接着,7979开放水灾援助金供教会帮助有紧急需要的家庭。7979透过8间地方教会,一共援助了290个家庭,这笔钱帮助灾民各自添购所需物资。此外,居銮众教会也为当地156户原住民申请食物包。水灾援助金及时支援地方教会,向受灾居民献上关怀。 灾后的屋子需要多方修缮。斑驳的墙、被水浸的家电、家具和寝具、还有无法及时抢救的交通工具、更换房子内外的插座等都是一大笔的开销。但,并非每个灾民的家庭经济基础有办法重建家园,对特贫受灾户或弱势家庭而言,这笔修缮费是一笔沉重的费用。实在拿不出来的话,只好将就并小心翼翼地避免触电、被尖锐处、松脱处弄伤。由于这些家庭需要获得更多额外的资源,故此,地方教会成为资源流通的管道之一。 - 家,每个人的避难所 - 7979家园重建计划与水灾援助金同时启动。教会经过评估,介入经济弱势的低收入户、单亲或有身心障碍病患的家庭家园重建的需要。其援助项目包括购买重建所需材料、修缮与粉刷墙壁和屋顶或房子架构、采购家电和家具。截至4月,透过Grace Charismatic Fellowship、日叻务全备福音布道中心Full Gospel Mission Centre Jelebu、文冬福音堂Bentong Gospel Hall、Gospel to the Poor、FaithWorks,已经有42户弱势家庭受惠。 - 雨后,彩虹将要绽放 - 经历重灾的孩童,跟大人一样损失惨重。心爱的书包、课本、文具、玩具等等,不知所踪或损坏。其实孩子比大人更脆弱,因为他们不晓得表达和管理自己的情绪,是关怀重点对象之一。 - 这场水灾,我因祸得福 - 因这场水灾,文冬福音堂结识了淦姐。水灾发生前半年,淦姐失去了她的老伴,丧礼后儿子又回到常年打拼的城市,留下淦姐独守老祖屋。 这木质祖屋空间很大,对寂寞孤单的淦姐更显为大。水灾那天,五尺的水来势汹汹,掀开木地板、损坏墙身和家具、冲走小型家电。文冬福音堂为淦姐申请了水灾援助金,以解她燃眉之急。 眼看邻居们陆陆续续为自己的家园重建之际,淦姐在自己家里需要步步为营,因为掀开的地板不但危险,而且地板和墙身因水气而开始发霉、门框变形等架构性的问题。大面积的损坏导致政党津贴不足维修所有损坏处,但是儿子的微薄薪水远远不足,只好继续搁置它。 文冬福音堂再次向淦姐伸出援手。透过7979 家园重建计划,补上淦姐不足的重建经费。崭新的水泥地、石灰墙和天花板是那么干净、安全和安心。即使未来大水再袭,也经得起冲击。邻居们赞叹淦姐的家焕然一新。 淦姐对文冬福音堂延凯执事说“这场水灾,我因祸得福”,她还说“我要好好利用我这大厨房,来来来,我欢迎教会用来做小组聚会,如果你们愿意,欢迎你们常常来我家聚餐。” 虽然儿子不常在身边,虽然屋子经历大水灾。不过因祸得福的淦姐收获了“新房子”、喜乐和友谊。 7979新动态 1 7979 爱·隔离 2021年启动“7979爱·隔离”防疫抗疫计划,得到大马真爱家庭协会支援,为近距离接触提供心灵关顾服务。同时,分别来自亚罗士打、大山脚、北赖、怡保、巴生谷、马六甲、永平、关丹、亚庇和山打根等18间地方教会也设立了21间社区安全隔离屋,即有43间房间可接待有需要的人。 除了透过社区安全隔离屋接待有需要的人,7979服务热线和7979面子书专页则为求助的公众解答与确诊或隔离的咨询,让求助者掌握资讯,尽快做出妥善安排。 虽然马来西亚于4月1日开始把冠病过渡到地方性流行病(Endemic)的阶段,部分社区安全隔离屋将结束运作,不过7979服务热线 010-7979 919 将继续服务。 7979新动态 2 雨后彩虹 滂沱大雨冲散了许多人的家园,连带着孩子的心也备受影响。 为了让孩子们更快恢复学习状态,7979重启“雨后彩虹”计划,与MBS World合作以购物券模式赠送文具和书籍等。关丹长老会荣恩堂为达士华小的受灾家庭申请水灾援助金,476户受灾家庭,学前班到2 年级共177位学生,各有RM30的购物券;3年级到6年级班的 277位学生,各得RM50的购物券。恰好MBS World靠近学校,学生放学就可以顺路去购买喜欢的玩具、文具、运动器材和书籍等。
7979新动态 3 吗哪食物银行 吗哪食物银行初阶志工培训 吗哪食物银行已启动5年,目前全马各地共有8个集散点。随着教会走入社区的步伐,7979正筹备着两个新的集散点,既雪隆地区和柔佛居銮。 新吗哪袋面世 建议使用方法:可将日常用品或罐头食品装进蓝色吗哪袋;易碎/易漏食品则装进橙色吗哪袋。 吗哪捐赠者 7979新动态 4 7979服务统计表 “铃……铃……铃……” “铃……铃……铃……” “这么快下课了吗?”5年级甲班的子晴问道。 “不是啦!会不会是火灾?”坐在隔壁的益俊犹疑了片刻回答。 “不可能啦!有也是火灾演习罢了!”子晴漫不在乎地说。 “那要不要逃?”益俊再次确认。 “等我收拾书包一下才过去啦!不用紧张的。 随后他们跟着大队慢条斯理地走到集合点,并开心地说起周末出游的趣事。 这样的情景是不是有点熟悉?至少在我学生生涯里的火灾演习,就是这样度过的,而且记忆中不是每年都举办,有时还真的以为提早下课呢! 记忆更清晰的一次的逃难经历,是在我大学时期参加的野外生活营。晚餐后,我们都入住中午搭好的帐篷,准备体验在森林里过夜。 半夜,刮起大风,树上发出“滋滋”怪声。大伙儿正睡得甘甜,突然听到教练们大喊:“Lari Lari (快逃!快逃!)”。 “Lari, cari apa!”(快跑!找什么!)教练们拉开嗓子拼命喊叫! “Lari, jangan ambil bag!”(快跑,别拿背包!)教练们在安全的亭子里向我们大喊! “啊!快醒来,跑啊!”睡眼朦胧的我们,马上醒来探头帐篷外发生什么事,一片混乱后就马上冲出帐篷。这次并不是演习,而是林里的树枝一条条折断,掉落在我们支搭好的帐篷附近。 逃到亭子里后,教练点算人头,确定没有人留在帐篷了,这才安心。他让我们都睡在长椅上,等到天亮才打算如何处理。 望着不远处的营地,大风继续萧萧地吹,树枝折断的声音此起彼落,就像遇到空袭的村民,子弹如雨般落下,大家赶紧逃进了“防空洞”。 稍微定心后,瞄了大家脚下的拖鞋(全场的人都有穿拖鞋),再看一下赤脚的自己,无奈,到底我的鞋去了哪里。心想,若不是教练大喊,“快跑,找什么!”,肯定会把鞋子穿好才逃,不会落得如此尴尬。 当时和我同个帐篷的同学说,她原本来得及拿书包一起逃。谁知,听到教练大喊不要拿背包,于是用最快的速度把书包放回帐篷,然后继续逃往小亭。 睡意随着一阵阵的傻笑声后偷偷来袭,让人分不出是笑到眼睛咪成一条线,还是睏到打不开。当晚,我们竟然在那不到一尺宽的长椅上,睡到天明。 经过一番检查,才得知森林里的树被白蚁侵蚀,所以变得脆弱,经不起大风。所幸无人受伤,只是虚惊一场。 每当和别人说起此事,都换来听众的狂笑,觉得当时的我们很傻,应该要这样,那样才对。 逃难时不忘记找鞋穿、拿背包、手机,甚至来不及做出任何反应,只能听从指示,把带出来的背包冒险地放回去帐篷里……我想,当时我们这些下意识的动作,也许也是很多人的现象。 灾难突然发生的时候,多数人来不及马上冷静思考和采取行动,只能用本能地回应。因此,要在灾难时可以做出正确的回应,不断的演习显得非常重要,并且必须让人行成习惯,直至闭着眼睛都可以做到的地步。 正因如此,虽然每次飞机上空服人员向乘客示范安全的指示如出一撤,我都不厌其烦的看,只期望突发状况发生时,不会再重复大学时期那样的无助和彷徨。 不管是火灾、水灾、风灾和飞机事故等,都可能随时发生在我们身边。宁可千日无灾,不可一日不妨!做好准备,或许还可以帮助身边的人。 我们需要你! 有兴趣成为7979重大灾难管理专员? 以文字一起经历他们从师生赈灾活动到有纪律,有组织地服务于山区草根。一路走来,与所有助人者一样,他们产生很多的困惑和反思,同时也收获很多甜蜜的喜悦、成长的幸福。盼读者透过这些文章故事不但学习了灾难社会工作同时也更多地反思和谦卑自己。
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如欲购买 案家债务缠身,举步艰难。教会可以怎么做? 信用卡、房租、房贷、车贷、赌债、甚至被爱情骗子逼到去借大耳窿、借银行贷款、亲友不待见,时时刻刻被债务追得身心疲惫…… 案家摇摇欲坠的收入来源无法支撑沉重的支出,他向你表示“急难救助金不够用”。 服侍弱势家庭一段日子后,这样的案家你一定不陌生。 你可知道教会有什么办法陪伴这些家庭吗? 曾仪生牧师的教会处在闹市一角,街坊常常慕名上门求助,其实黑道白道都有解决之道!当城市贫穷的需要日益增加,请为自己和案家学习多一项技能吧! 7979周边 CLICK HERE FOR ENGLISH VERSION
Before my March sabbatical leave was over, I was moved to visit the faces that appeared in my personal prayers. I drove alone in this journey of north Peninsula. How this trip came about? I really can’t figure it out either. After crossing the East-West Highway to East Coast and approaching 2,000 kilometers mileage, I found that the people I had deliberately visited all the way were friends who were on the verge of death, suffering from terminal diseases or receiving hospice care. All the way, I listened to their stories of how they had fight against stubborn diseases, or how they had to make adjustment in lives in order to cope with issues of life and death, I was glad the I had obeyed to the prompting of Holy Spirit to visit them, otherwise I’ll miss those golden moments of heart-to-heart sharing and in return my sharing with them the "chicken soup for the soul".
On my way back, when I reflected and reorganised my thought on friends and co-workers’ journey of tears and grace, it's not hard to notice that these warriors of life have some (or at least one) angels by their side. These angels can be spouses, children, relatives, or not blood related friends like pastor, CG member, medical worker, or even a food deliverer who shows up regularly. Perhaps these angels may not know that, their presence and companies, the time they spent which they took effort to arrange, had left a mark of grace in the lives of those who were battling with illnesses. All these seemingly insignificant actions such as offering meals, hospital visits, praying and caring for patients after vomiting have deeply touched my friends who have walked through the valley of the shadow of death. I believe that these acts of kindness and silent company also touched Abba Father in heaven! During this trip, I inadvertently invited several teachers who participated in the 7979 after-school Companionship Class to dinner. As they casually talked about the time they spent with the children, I noticed that their eyes were full of love, and sparkle with tears. They told me that they still keep in touch with those children who had graduated and left the class for secondary school. They shared their children's transformation from no interest in learning to study hard, from profanity to humility and politeness, from being afraid to dream to dare to talk about "their future is not a dream". There was one Companionship Class teacher, he even told me that last year he visited a community of refugees that hit by a flood, when he saw how helpless those children were, he immediately had a vision to set up a cross-cultural Companionship Class. In 2022, the BM version of Companionship Class was indeed born. Working together with partner churches since 2012, HISTEAM has entered its 10th year of launching of Companionship Class for under privileged children. The initial intention was hoping that urban grassroots families who could not afford to send their children to tuition centers could send their children to nearby 7979 Holistic Care Station. These under privileged families were not only financially stretched, but also do not have the time to accompany and guide their children in their studies, as they live from hand to mouth. The two years of lockdown and movement control caused by this long pandemic did not hold us from accompanying the under privileged children. Many Companionship Classes also switch to online class in line with the lockdown SOP. I would like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all the volunteers who have taken on the role of teacher for Companionship Class. Thank you for your years of quiet dedication and company. For this decade, you have benefited thousands of children and their families. God will remember! Behold, how beautiful and good are the footsteps that accompany! Heavenly Father! Whether I'm at the highs or the lows, Thank you for being there and staying with me all the time. Holy Spirit please empowers me to do the same for those you have led to me. Amen. 三月份安息假结束前,我按照心里感动去拜访那些在我安静祷告时出现的一张张脸孔。一个人开着车往半岛的北部奔驰。为何要开展这趟旅程?我也着实摸不着头脑。当横跨东西大道来到东海岸,里数逼近两千公里,回头看我才发现原来一路刻意拜访的对象,都是生命走到濒临点,身患绝症或正在接受临终关怀的朋友。一路聆听他们分享如何抗战顽疾,或者如何调整自己面对生死关头的故事,我庆幸自己顺服感动出现在他们当中,才不至于错过与他们交心的黄金时刻,与他们同享“心灵鸡汤”。 回程路上,整理朋友同工铺满泪水与恩典脂油交汇的路径,不难发现这些生命勇士的身边都拥有一些(至少一位)天使,且不离不弃地陪伴他们。这些天使可以是自己的伴侣、孩子、亲人,也可以是非亲非故的牧师传道、小组成员、医务人员,甚至是定时定点出现的送餐人员(Food deliverer)。这些天使或许不晓得,他们花时间并用心刻意安排的出现与陪伴,其实都在这些与病魔交战的生命中默默留下了恩典的记号。不管是送上餐饮、医院复诊、祷告祝福,病人呕吐后的善后等看似不起眼的举动,都深深触动我这些走过死荫幽谷的朋友。相信这些善意及默默付出的陪伴举动也触动了阿爸天父! 这趟旅程我不经意约了几位参与7979课后陪读班的老师吃饭。当他们不经意地聊到陪伴孩子的那些日子,我发现他们的眼神充满着爱意,不时闪烁着泪光。他们告诉我,曾经陪伴的孩子虽已离开陪读班进入中学,这些孩子还与他们保持联系。他们分享孩子们在陪读班经历的转变,从不学无术到勤奋好学、从满嘴脏话到谦逊有礼,从不敢有梦到勇于谈论“自己的未来不是梦”。甚至还有一位陪读班的老师告诉我,因去年尾的水灾,他走入了一群难民的社区,看到一群流离无助的孩子,看到为他们设立跨文化陪读班的异象。2022年,这家用马来文的陪读班因此诞生。 全人自2012年与伙伴教会开展的弱势儿童陪读服务不知不觉进入第十年。当初的感动就是希望能够让城市里头没有能力送孩子去补习班的基层家庭,把孩子送来邻近的7979全人关怀站。这些家庭不单是经济上捉襟见肘,时间上也是无力陪伴孩子温习、手停口停的弱势家庭。这场漫长瘟疫造成的两年封城与行动管制,却封不住我们陪伴弱势孩童的心志。许多陪读班也应顺封城措施而转型到线上开设陪读服务。我在此要向全马扛起陪读班老师角色的志工们发出由衷的谢意与敬意。谢谢你们多年来默默地付出与陪伴,这十年你们造福了数千位孩子与他们背后的家庭,上帝必纪念! 看哪,陪伴的脚踪是何等的美与善! 天父!无论我身处人生的高峰或低谷, 感谢祢不离不弃,时刻与我同在。 圣灵加力让我也能如此陪伴那些祢让我遇见的人。 阿们! |
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