Muhammadiyah Welfare Home is recruiting volunteers

The 5S rules at MWH include patience, smiling, and courtesy.

The Muhammadiyah Welfare Home (MWH) is actively recruiting new volunteers as part of an on-going effort to build up its pipeline of volunteer activities for its residents, aged 10 to 19.

The boys at MWH come from diverse backgrounds. Some are victims of abuse and neglect, juvenile offenders and beyond parental control. Others are orphans or come from disadvantaged families.

MWH is leaving things open-ended to accommodate as much as potential volunteers can commit. "We can tailor things around what you are willing to give," said Dr Mariam Aljunied, MWH Management Committee Member. "Some volunteers have committed to visiting once a month, or helping on the day of an event. Others come regularly for six to 12 months at a stretch."

Volunteer opportunities in 2017 include helping out in the planning or on the day at scheduled events such as the Family Carnival on 20 May, and Flag Day on 29 July. Volunteers can also conduct life skill workshops, help to spruce up parts of the premises, sponsor meals and treats, especially during festive occasions.

For the month of Ramadhan (beginning May 25), MWH welcomes donations of food for iftar (the break-fast meal at sunset), and sponsorships of the new clothing including shoes traditionally worn for Hari Raya (June 26).

"We've had volunteers who come to read to the younger boys, or teach the guitar," said Aljunied. "We would like people who can commit for the longer term."

Aljunied added that on-premise activities are encouraged so that the boys who are not allowed to leave the premises by court order can also participate.

One of the dormitories. The rooms at MWH are typically painted and decorated by volunteers, with the boys' help.

The seven steps to happiness.

At MWH good behaviour is incentivised through a bonus merit point system in which the boys may exchange the points they have earned for items at a minimart. A recent wishlist for minimart items included watches, snacks, beverages, school bags, and socks. Mall or supermarket vouchers in small denominations are increasingly popular.

Source: MWH. Poster calling for volunteers.

Interested? 

MWH is at 58 Bedok North St 3. Speak to Mr Iskandar at +65 6345 6113 to find out more

Read the Suroor Asia blog post about MWH's Family & Charity Carnival 2016

posted from Bloggeroid

Masjid Maarof sets up Ramadhan 2017 appeal

Source: Masjid Maarof Facebook page.

Masjid Maarof has opened sponsorships for Ramadhan 2017.

Sponsors may contribute to costs for porridge, daily iftar, or to the general fund.

Masjid Maarof accepts cash or Nets, to be paid in person at the Masjid Maarof Reception Office Level 1, or by cheque, mailed to Masjid Maarof, 20 Jurong West St 26, Singapore 648125. Online bank transfers are also accepted.

Interested?

Register

Digi sponsors calls to 24-hour Talian Nur and Childline hotlines

From left: Philip Ling, Project Manager for Safe Internet, Digi Telecommunications, Mohd Shamil Mohd Yusoff, Head, Outreach & Corporate Communications, Outreach & Capacity Building Division, CyberSecurity Malaysia, Dato' Sabariah Hassan, Secretary General, Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), Joachim Rajaram, Head of Communications & Corporate Responsibility, Digi Telecommunications, and Datin PH Wong, Steering Committee member, Childline Malaysia.

Digi Telecommunications is offering free calls to the 24-hour helplines Talian Nur and Childline 15999 in partnership with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development Malaysia (KPWKM) and Childline Malaysia.

This initiative is an extension to the CyberSAFE in Schools programme, a programme by CyberSecurity Malaysia in collaboration with the Ministry of Education Malaysia, Childline Malaysia and Digi. It is also in line with Digi’s aim to provide Safe Internet to families and children besides providing them easy access to an alternative support platform to turn to, in the event of an unpleasant online experience.

The Minister of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM), Dato’ Sri Rohani Abdul Karim said, “Nowadays, we can see how the Internet has become ubiquitous with more people embracing it as part of their lifestyles. Unfortunately cyber threats are increasing in tandem with the prevalence of the Internet. Hence, we have to take all the necessary precautions to ensure our children’s safety when they are on the Internet. This effort is a fine example of how the public and private sectors can come together and collaborate in addressing key issues that are affecting the nation. We also applaud Digi’s continuous commitment towards safeguarding our children who are susceptible to Internet threats and risks.”

Effective immediately, affected families - especially children, can now make free calls to 15999 Talian Nur and Childline from all Digi prepaid and postpaid numbers. Talian Nur is a hotline link to enable early intervention for victims of domestic violence and natural disasters, while 15999 Childline is a confidential 24-hour helpline for children and young people to seek information, share feelings and get needed help.

According to Philip Ling, Digi’s Project Manager for Safe Internet, Digi has been a strong advocate for child safety and the right of the child to be protected on the Internet. “With the increasing rate of cybercrimes particularly targeting children, we want to make sure that they are adequately protected against possible danger on the net. This includes providing easy access to ways in which they can seek help. 

"We were inspired to do this by the recent CyberSAFE in Schools survey, which indicated that some children were not aware of the availability of online or phone-in help centres like Childline that can provide them with a safety net for problems related to the Internet. Now, children can easily make calls to get help without worrying about the costs, while the portability of mobile phones offers them greater privacy when discussing their concerns with the trained Childline 15999 call centre operators.”

Datin PH Wong, Steering Committee member of Childline Malaysia said that this initiative is great news for 15999 Childline as in many cases, children are unable to seek help because calls are currently chargeable. “Child helplines are a vital mechanism for countries to listen directly to children giving first hand data on issues that matter to them and are impacting their lives especially on Internet safety. We will continue to advocate for a totally free 24-hour child helpline. We applaud Digi’s commitment to make calls free to 15999 Childline as it will now give children a lifeline to access help anywhere and anytime,” she added. 

Childline Malaysia, initiated by the Malaysian Children TV Programme Foundation (MCTF), is a member of Child Helpline International.

Dr Amirudin Abdul Wahab, Chief Executive Officer, CyberSecurity Malaysia said, “The CyberSAFE programme is one of the initiatives developed by CyberSecurity Malaysia to educate and enhance the awareness of the general public on the technological and social issues facing Internet users, particularly on online dangers and cyber threats. In order to ensure the continuation of cyber safety and Internet security awareness as well as educational activities for children, all parties must come together and collaborate. 

"We foresee that as cyber security incidents increase dramatically each year, children are also being exposed to various cyber threats and may potentially become victims of cybercrimes in Malaysia. We are certainly delighted with the support given by Digi in taking the CyberSAFE programme to the next level. It is indeed an intelligent collaboration that reaches out to children nationwide.”