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“Teacher, how is today's Companionship Class?” The person in charge of Companionship Class Koh Li Pin asked.
Teacher Pang Jee Ngo quickly answered: “Wow! Today's class was a total mess.” “Yeah! The new students led the senior class students to wreak havoc. ” Teacher Chin Hui Ju responded accordingly. On 1st April, the Companionship Class of 7979 Holistic Care Station (Hereinafter referred to as Companionship Class) at Gereja Presbyterian Gabriel, Kluang had 6 new students. When the Companionship Class ended at the end of the day, the teachers gathered together for dinner. Eventually, they came to the topic of what happened in today’s class. The 6 newbies “monkeys” didn’t ravage the class, but they almost got the teachers out of hands. At this moment, Li Pin said: “Tomorrow, I need to inform the class of the class rules. It will be easier to manage them when they know what they can and cannot do.” When the others heard it, they nodded their head in agreement. The teachers were harmoniously discussing the subject, if things were backtracked a few years ago, it would not have been this atmosphere.
Li Pin worked in the marketplace for more than 20 years before she became a Companionship Class teacher. She was in a high position and well-paid job, working under very demanding conditions yet able to complete projects one after another. She only realised that work was not all she had, when her father fell gravely ill and needed her to tend to his needs. Half a year later, her father passed away and she became alone without any parents as her mother passed away a long time ago. At her father’s funeral, she was very lost, she questioned God: “Now that I don’t have a father and mother anymore, I don’t have a home to go back to, why do you still keep me here?” 2 years later, with a battled body Li Pin quit her job, she was thinking of interviewing for a job at Persatuan Kebajikan Mesra Prihatin Kluang, Johor. She thought she could be the librarian or person in charge of books and administration, but God seemed to have another plan for her. Without much understanding of the work and operation of the Companionship Class then, she was put in charge of it since year 2017. “When it comes to work and planning, that is my strength, but if it is about human relationships, that is my weakness.”Li Pin shared. Companionship Class’s purpose is to serve underprivileged children by giving them homework guidance, life coaching and family care. When Li Pin became the Companionship Class main PIC, she not only needed to deal with the students and teachers but also had to make arrangements for house visitations with the teachers. Therefore, in the earlier years, Li Pin faced many challenges, the biggest challenge was helping Bryan who often cries and throws tantrums when instructed to complete his homework. Li Pin discovered that there seems to be an unsurpassable gap that hinders her from being close to her students. Her inability to communicate also frustrated her. Only when she attended the 7979 General Assembly in 2022, she came to know Rev. Lim Kong Hoon, who serves marginalised adolescents. Rev. Lim recommended Li Pin enrol herself on a counselling course, hoping that it would help her to understand the Companionship Class’s children from different perspectives. Unexpectedly, the lessons helped her to be more introspective, she realised that she sometimes could be very stubborn on certain things, which not only hinders her from relating to others properly but also makes her feel pressured and tired. Hence, Li Ping tried to adjust by learning to let go and accept the situation. Her way of relating to others had also changed together with this adjustment. She began to use questions to guide their conversation, listened and tried to understand the other person's thinking to achieve two-way communication. Li Ping exclaimed: “Only then I realised that teachers have other opinions too, just that in the past they didn’t have the opportunity to express it.” Although it was not smooth sailing, however, Li Ping now learns to enjoy it, when she sees the changes in the children they had accompanied. “When Xiao Jun (pseudonym) just joined us, he couldn’t read Chinese at all, but now he can read a whole article.”
“There was a boy whose mother passed away due to cancer, he is now under the care of his grandparents. When he newly joined us, he was a taciturn boy and falling behind in his studies. Gradually, he has grown to like talking with the teachers, and started to do homework by himself …” “When Bryan joined us at standard 4, he was also a taciturn boy with a bad temper. Now, he became a chatterbox whenever he gets the attention of a teacher …” After attending the short-term counselling course, Li Ping would purposefully squeeze some time out to help the children understand their emotions. Providing a place to vent for the Companionship Class children to express and tell the people around them any incidents they encounter, such as falling, pain or upset; because there is someone who cares for them and loves them.
They and Their Companionship Class Stories
I Found that Teaching Them is Completely Different - Teacher Chang Lee Poh
Chang Lee Poh is a homemaker with 3 grown-up children, so she has the extra time to be a volunteer teacher at Companionship Class. In the initial stage, she would spend a long time guiding the children to master the stroke of Chinese characters. All her effort would be wasted in the following week when the children returned with the same writing pattern. Teacher Lee Poh felt disappointed when there seemed to be no improvement after teaching for a long time. “Why is it so difficult to teach these children?”Teacher Lee Poh couldn’t help thinking of it and even considering giving up. Later, a teacher who came to visit them noticed Lee Poh’s doubt, she explained: “Teaching Companionship Class’s children is different from teaching our own, they do not have the same good foundation as we. Besides, the purpose of the Companionship Class is more of accompanying the children as they grow.” This conversation has enlightened Lee Poh, she began to adjust her service focus. Chang Lee Poh had now lowered her expectations of those children and became more empathised with their condition when she came to know of their family background from those teachers who do home visitations as many of them are from single-parenting or cross-generational parenting families. For I had Watched the Movie - Teacher Pang Jee Ngo
When we talked about how Teacher Pang ended up being a Companionship Class teacher, she would say: “For I had watched the movie, Sound of Music… ” She continued: “I hope I can be like the teacher in the movie, who taught the children to be joyful even amid sorrow.” Simultaneously, she does not wish these underprivileged children to be like the child in “Oliver Twist”, who became a criminal after being acquitted with the wrong group of people.
Pang Jee Ngo became a Companionship Class teacher with her mission in mind. However, many times when she was doing house visitations, she often had mixed feelings when she realised some of those children’s grandparents were her old schoolmates. Upon discovering that her old schoolmates’ lives were in bad shape, she could only do her best to help. She would try to let them see the benefits of Companionship Class, assuring their grandchildren would be well cared for. Teacher Pang Jee Ngo understands that many things are advancing. At 70, hoping to be more helpful to those children while dealing with increasingly challenging schoolwork, she remained positive by continuing to upgrade herself. Actually, I Hate Children - Teacher Yong Shing Ying
Yong Shing Ying is the youngest volunteer teacher. In the early stages of Companionship Class, when Shing Ying was still schooling, you can see her tracks as a volunteer teacher during school holidays. As she is good at arts, she was in charge of organising activities. Upon graduation, she became one of the permanent Companionship Class teachers. Even though Shing Ying has been saying that she dislikes children, however, you can see the way she mingles with the Companionship Class’s children, they are like friends. This change started with house visitation. In those early stages, Shing Ying would follow Li Ping and Teacher Pang on house visitation. She would quietly listen to their conversation while observing. When she got to know them more, she realised why some children were more mischievous. They were only looking out for people to play with. Gradually, Shing Ying maintains a good relationship with them through mobile phone games. She would discuss the game with them, and through it, she would know their latest condition. Shing Ying said: “There are some things that the children would not share with adults, but if you approached them as a friend, that would open up.” Shing Ying would take the opportunity to guide and help the children in dealing with challenges in life, homework, the internet and friends when listening to their sharing. SJK (C) Chong Eng, Kluang
SJK(C) Chong Eng is located opposite of the 7979 Holistic Care Station of Gereja Presbyterian Gabriel, Kluang. Since 2017, the school and Companionship Class have maintained a close cooperation relationship. Whenever standard one students registered themselves to the school, Teacher Liyang Nyoke Mui would request every class’s form teachers to list down students from underprivileged backgrounds to refer them to Companionship Class so that they would receive proper care. This cooperation relationship has lasted for 8 years. When Teacher Liyang Nyoke Mui was asked what her opinion of the Companionship Class’s service was, she answered joyously: “I give 100%”
“I personally feel very happy about this, such services for poor students in this community.” The present headmaster Mr. Gan Chin Guan is very supportive of the Companionship Class and shows concern for the children’s growth. Occasionally, he would squeeze some time out to walk over to the other side of the road to see how was the students. “I was very surprised when I heard that there is a Companionship Class over here because, in my years of teaching in so many different schools, there were no such services in the school’s vicinity.” The assistant headmaster Mdm. Chong Shit Fong shared her thought of the first time when she heard of Companionship Class after she was transferred to Chong Eng primary school. She thought that the safe environment provided by it could benefit those underprivileged students. “老师们,今天的陪读班怎么样啊?” 负责管理陪读班的许丽彬问。 “今天真的是刺激哦!”方钰娥老师忍不住回应。 “是啊!那些新来的带着高年级的学生一起乱!”金慧茹老师赶紧接着说。 4月1日,居銮长老会佳音堂7979全人关怀站陪读班(以下简称“陪读班”)迎来了六位新生。陪读班下课后,老师们纷纷约在一起吃晚餐,聊起当天陪读班所发生的事。新来的六个“小猴子”,虽然没有大闹天宫,但也差点让几位陪读班老师应接不暇。这时,丽彬说:“明天我要跟他们说一说我们的班规了。当学生知道什么时候该做什么,就会比较好管理。”老师们听到后,连忙点头表示赞同。老师们一起讨论和解决问题的氛围和睦,但若是放在几年前,情况就并非如此了。 成为陪读班老师以前,丽彬曾在职场工作二十多年。那时的她高职高薪,以高效的办事能力,完成了一项又一项工作。直到父亲生了一场大病,她需要边照顾父亲边工作的时候,才醒悟道:原来工作不是最重要的。半年后,父亲离世,母亲也早已不在,丽彬在丧礼期间失落地问上帝:“爸爸妈妈都不在了,我没有家了,你还留我在这里做什么?”两年后,丽彬带着疲惫的身躯辞了工作,来到教会开办的佳音文教中心应聘。原以为她只是当个图书管理员和负责文书相关的工作,但上帝似乎冥冥之中有安排。丽彬在不了解陪读班是如何运作的情况下,于2017年顺势成为陪读班的负责老师。 “如果是工作计划啊,我很强;但是要处理人际关系,我就很差。”丽彬老师分享道。陪读班是为经济弱势家庭的小学生提供课业辅导、生命教育及家庭关怀等服务。当丽彬成为陪读班主责老师时,她不仅要面对学生、老师还要带领老师去学生的家进行家访。因此,刚开始管理陪读班的那几年,丽彬面对很多挫折。其中最大的打击,就是发现她怎么样都没办法说服又哭又闹的智盛,让他好好地完成课业。丽彬发现,她和学生之间,似乎有一道无法跨越的鸿沟。不知道要如何与对方沟通,这让她非常受挫。直到她参加了2022年的7979全国大会,遇到了一位正在服务边缘青少年的林光汉牧师。 林牧师推荐丽彬报读短期辅导课程,希望她能从不同角度认识陪读班的学生。但没想到,课程帮助她先检视自己的内心。她意识到自己很执着于一些事情,使她不仅没办法很好地跟人相处,自己也感觉压力和累。丽彬就尝试调整自己,学习放手和接受现状。这样的调整,改变了她和旁人的相处模式。她开始学会透过问题引导,先聆听对方的想法,达到两方面的沟通。“原来有些老师也有他们的想法,只是过去他们没有这个机会表达而已。”丽彬惊讶说道。 虽然遇到挫折,但让丽彬最享受的,莫过于在陪伴学生的过程中,看到他们都有所改变!
自从上了短期辅导课,丽彬特别安排时间教导学生认识自己的情绪,让陪读班的学生有机会表达,把所遇见的事情,例如跌倒流血、疼痛和烦恼,向身边的人诉说。因为有人关心他们,有人爱他们。 他们与陪读班的故事原来教他们是不一样的——郑绿宝老师
后来,有位老师拜访他们,得知绿宝的困惑,便解释道:“教陪读班的孩子跟教自己的孩子不同,他们不像我们那样有很好的基础。而且,陪读班存在的意义,更多是陪伴孩子们成长。”这一席话点醒了在困惑中的绿宝,她开始调整自己的服务焦点。 绿宝也从其他有去家访的老师口中,了解到学生的家庭背景。其中有单亲家庭、隔代教养的家庭。知道他们生活困难,便降低对学生的要求,多了一份同理。 因为我看了电影——方钰娥老师 带着使命成为陪读班一员的方老师,到学生家进行家访时,内心却是五味杂陈。因为有些学生的祖父或祖母,竟是自己的老同学。得知老同学的家庭过得不怎么好,她也只能尽自己的一份力去帮助。尝试让对方了解陪读班的好处,希望对方的孙,也就是自己的学生,能在陪读班被关怀。 方老师也自知这时代一直在进步。70岁的她,应对学生日益挑战的课业,仍保持积极学习的态度,提升自己,希望能够在陪读班更好地帮助学生。 其实我很讨厌小孩……,但……——杨杏萦老师
而这样的转变,其实是从家访开始。早期,杏萦随从丽彬和方老师一同去家访。她静静地在一旁聆听和观察。对学生有了更多认识,也就更加明白为何有些学生特别调皮。其实,他们只想要有人和他们一起玩。 渐渐地,杏萦就透过手游,跟学生维持友好关系。她跟学生一起讨论游戏内容,也从中了解学生最近的生活。杏萦说:“有些话,学生不想跟大人说,但如果是以‘朋友’的身份接触他们,他们就会分享。”透过分享的时段,杏萦巧妙地见缝插针从中引导,帮助学生面对生活、课业、网络或者朋友之间的困惑。 居銮中英华小居銮中英华小座落于陪读班居銮长老会佳音堂7979全人关怀站陪读班对面。2017年开始,校方与陪读班保持紧密合作。每当有一年级新生报读学校时,梁玉梅老师都会请各班主任收集并筛选清寒学生的名单,再推荐给陪读班。这样,弱势家庭的孩子就能受到关注。这样的合作已长达八年,对于陪读班的服务,梁老师笑说:“给100分!”
“我本身是很高兴的,有这个社区服务给我们的清寒学生”现任的颜振源校长很支持和关注陪读班的运作和孩子的成长。他抽空会走到对面,观看学生在陪读班的情形。 “听到这里有陪读班时,我很惊讶!因为过去我任教过的学校附近都没有这样的服务。” 钟雪芳副校长表示,到居銮中英华小职教后,第一次得知陪读班:原来有一个安全的环境,可以真正地帮助学校清寒学生。 Comments are closed.
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