The Ability to Enable the Disables!

By Wong Yin Mun

IPOH: A group of children with learning disabilities within the age group of 7-20 years old from the Ray of Hope (ROH) centre were invited to give a mesmerizing performance in Ipoh Parade shopping mall yesterday.

          The event started at 8p.m. and it took approximately 2 hours. Several thrilling performances, such as singing, animals’ sounds mimicking, hand gestures, Malay dance and even Indian dance were presented by these down-syndrome or autistic children. Although these recitals were challenging for the performers, they were able to complete every single act smoothly.

Ending pose: The performers end the "Little Grass" dance with a cherry post.

          Surprisingly, the performers were steady and unruffled during the whole event; even though the sound system was not functioning well and it indeed stopped unexpectedly at the beginning of the performance. Also, applause from the audiences were incessant after every performance throughout the entire event.

          This event was organized by the Popular Book Store, the area manager of Popular, Esther Yee said in her speech that the main purpose of inviting ROH to perform is to allow the public to know more and to refine the community’s understanding on down-syndrome and autistic children.

          “This is something special that we are able to do in order to make a payment to the society,” said Yee. She also stated that the company will invite ROH to perform again during the middle of the year as well as end of the year.

          Besides that, Datin Mary Yeoh, the chairperson of ROH centre along with Agnes Cheah, the person in charge of the ROH Café, were impressed and felt proud of these children. They also felt grateful and thanked Popular Book Store for the invitation by giving away the souvenir to Yee.

          “I feel so glad to see my son performing on the stage and I have never thought of it since the day he was born,” said Wan Yoke Mui, 50, mother of Wong Hoon Kuen, 17, one of the performers who is a down-syndrome child. She also thanked ROH centre for giving her son a chance to learn as she never expected her son will perform on the stage in front of the public one day. 

The performers waved their hands while singing for the last song of the event.

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A Huge Lost on Valentine’s Day

By Tam Mei Yun

MELAKA: Valentine's Day is very special to every couple as this is the day they celebrate the love for each other. Unfortunately, a fatal fire had happened at Jalan Bendahara around 11pm yesterday and an Indian shop was burned-down.

          The shop owner, Vijruh, 49, closed his shop at around 9pm, 2 hours before the fire struck his shop. According to one of the firefighter, the fire was caused by electrical faults associated with the wiring from the shop. It took about 25 minutes for the firefighters to extinguish the fire. However, there was nothing left even though the fire was under controlled. 

Firefighters are trying to extinguish the fire.

           Malaka Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam also came to the spot and check on the case. He said that the government will give out its warmest hand to help Vijruh.

Melaka Chief Minister came to the spot and try his best to help Vijruh. 

           According to the victim, although he felt upset with the lost of the huge amount, he felt thankful as well as he were not in the shop while the tragedy happened.

           “ I went back home right after I finish my work. I just changed the wiring of my shop two days ago and I bet it was not fixed properly. I was totally stunned when i received the call from the police station just now," said Vijruh. He also mentioned that he was really enraged because he has to deal with a huge lost now.

                                       Heartache sight: The shop that had been burned-down.

Flood that Ruined the Mood for CNY

By Tam Mei Yun

MELAKA: Have you ever wondered yourself drenched with loads of water up to your knee? What even worse is, it happened when the most important festival for Chinese - Chinese New Year is just around the corner! Indeed, the residents of Taman Merdeka, Malaka suffered from this situation.

          The residents of Taman Merdeka were ready to welcome the atmosphere of Chinese New Year after decorated and cleaned their house; however, the rain had caused the water level of a river nearby the area to rise in a sudden. The serious flood that came unexpectedly had eventually ruined everything in the zone.

          “ I have decorated my house and prepared to celebrate Chinese New Year but all of a sudden, I have to celebrate my Chinese New Year in a mess!” said Lim 52, a resident of Taman Merdeka. He also mentioned that the flood had actually come out of the blue, therefore everyone was not prepared and had a great lost.  

  Flood up to the knees: Residents busy clearing and cleaning their area due to the flood.

             “ My wooden furniture set has spoiled as well as most of my electronic appliances, such as refrigerator. Many things have to be carried up to the first floor in case the water level increase,” said Becky, another resident of the flooded area. 

                            Water everywhere: Road and houses filled with muddy water.

               Although the residents felt upset over the flash flood, they still felt grateful that no one had actually hurt or died during the incident. The only thing that they could do was to clean up the mess and enjoy the great Chinese New Year which is coming soon.