... has been spent editing in my room, for a friend of mine who's won the outstanding young malaysian award. i must say i am utterly proud to be his friend, and yes, having some free time at hand - few of us took our big and small toys, some borrowed some dug up from the layers of dusk hidden in the corner of the room, and took a road trip down to jenjarom.
soonkam won the award on the category for moral and religious leadership - for his work and involvement (with the rest of the youth as well) in starting children's classes and junior youth empowerment program in a chinese new village called jenjarom. it was my first trip there though i've heard of many stories in that town, and one of the most inspiring things i encountered was this young vegetable seller whom we interviewed. he used to be one of the gangsters, went around doing 'bad things', then somehow he and a few of his friends started joining the program and he actually found himself liking it lots. i saw him singing with the children, holding hands with them (there's few classes, each almost 30 kids crammed in one small center, with less than 5 teachers but lots of young helpers - and most importantly, all happy) walking them to the sink to wash hands while serving tea and biscuits, just small but sincere simple act of service.
no words could fairly describe how the community has transformed - and how this group of young people have helped throughout the years.
the 3 mins video will be screened at the award night before he gives his speech.
(pic1>some of the friends we interviewed; pic2>soonkam & grandma; pic3>friends we met at jenjarom baha'i center)
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