Kiwanis

Yes, I've been a horrible blogger. Lately no mood to blog at all lah.

But still, I want to. =D

Still working on my SPM post, far from done so will post it up.. sometime in the future. If I ever complete it.

What have I been doing?

Well, taken up Chinese class.. not that I really want to, but if I'm gonna work with special ed kids its best I pick up all the languages I can, so that I can communicate in a language that suits them best. However, English is still the most important, cause the materials that these kids will receive is quite likely to be in English as special needs is a topic that is researched in Western countries.

I've been volunteering in Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation(KDSF). The kids there actually need one on one attention, but sadly, it's lacking in teachers. So volunteers are pretty much welcomed. =) Those kids are ADORABLE.

These Down Syndrome(DS) kids face difficulties in learning simple stuff.. what a 'normal' kid can do easily, DS kids struggle with it. If you've seen rebellious kids, believe it or not, be HAPPY for them. At least they can rebel. Seriously. One guy, when a teacher tried to get him to go down a slide, he said, "No!" We were like, "Whoa!" and laughed. hahaha. Such simple things for us, yet such enormous steps for them.

Drawing lines, circles, colouring... simple things, right? The teachers spend hours everyday trying to teach them to do it. After helping with so many kids, I've yet to see one that can understand how to draw a complete O. You know, circle and STOP. Most of them draw circles without stopping, creating more and more circles without ever closing it up.

Colouring, to get them to colour within the lines is, well, so far a rather futile task. All have different responses to colouring. 1 lil' guy screams with delight as he colours. Another guy refuse to hold his crayon. Another girl keeps throwing her crayon. And yet another girl patiently colours.

Break time. Kids are suppose to take their own food from their own bags. This has proved to be a rather daunting task for some. They are expected to wash their hands, take their 'food mats'(to put on the table, not sure what it's called) and eat. All easy tasks, no? Maybe, for you and I. After that, they are expected to clear their things, return the food mats to its original place and keep their bags.

When I volunteered there for the 1st time, I noticed something.. most of the kids seem to have tears running down their faces nearly all the time. Just a few drops, teary eyes, in other words. My heart went out for these kids.. while normal kids can express themselves, these kids have no way of voicing out anything.. besides crying and wailing(rarely happens, only with the very young ones).

2 days ago, I helped one of the girls that the teachers label 'naughty' and is known for pinching people. Oh my, she's a sprinter all right. I let her out of my sight for a moment and next thing I know she's opened the door and was running away! Hahaha. She's fast, but unfortunately for her, her tiny strides couldn't compare to mine. =P Then during break time I was sitting next to her. She pinched me. Not painful lah, I've got tough skin. Lol. Anyway, when she did that, I looked at her, and to my surprise, she had put a keropok(her food) on the table in front of me! Hahaha. Didn't I mention that they are adorable? It made me wonder.. perhaps she pinches people to get their attention, not knowing that it's 'wrong'.

Now that I've got some experience with DS kids, I want to volunteer in Kairos.. it's a place for autistic kids. Will need to wait for my driving license though, as it is I'm facing enough transport hassle to reach KDSF. *sigh*

Whatever disabilities these kids face, they are still amazing kids. As they struggle to pick up new skills, every tiny pebble for us a looming obstacle for them, I salute their parents, teachers and kids alike. Parents for their love, teachers for their patience, and kids for their never ceasing persistance to go on with life, however much they may struggle.

So.. has my resolve for working with kids like these wavered? Far from it. Strengthened, if anything. I want to work to make life for these kids easier. To give them the independence, the freedom of not having to cling to others for everything. Of course, there is little money involved.. Idealistic? Maybe. Impossible? Maybe. Still gonna do it? YES.

However, my future is still uncertain. How do I help kids like these? As a teacher? As I see it, anyone can help these kids, all they need is love and patience. But I've been blessed with a pretty good brain.. I'm sure God intends for me to use it for these kids. How? As a therapist? I don't know. I'm still questioning.

There is a slight problem though.. the only scholarship I know of is a teaching scholarship by the MOE. I can choose to major in Special Education. That means I'll become a teacher.. in a school system?? With a normal syllabus? I wince at the thought of these kids forced to go through a normal academic route. As far as I can see, these kids have excellent motor skills(I've had to run after a few of them before), perhaps music, perhaps art. Why focus them on their weak point, academically?

I would love to study special ed. in the US, I've been reading about how much their special kids strive with all they have to provide. To see how they do it. But funds.. is a major problem. Well, I've been asking God to lead the way. I don't mind going wherever He leads me. Even if it has nothing to do with special ed... all my life I know I've always wanted to have a future that can help others.. so for all I know, He may have an altogether different plan for me.

He gave me brains. So I'm rather puzzled about that. Why? Social workers don't need strings of As to help others. But He gave me the heart to work with the outcasts of society(yes, you can't deny that fact even if you want to).

The thought of entering the business world, accounting world, etc and making big bucks doesn't seem all that appealing to me. Argue as you might, money does not necessarily make you a happier and contented person.

Ok, so maybe I'm too idealistic. I've just been pondering a lot lately.. cause most of my friends have an idea of what they are gonna do(or parents decided for them).. most have started colleges.. even those that haven't already know what they want to do...

Anyway, Jeremiah 29:11 is a reminder not to worry =D : "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Amen!