Light Up The Night

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”
— Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

In March, our Didik-Kasih EduCare Program recipient Hidayah Azhar took this quote from Harry Potter one step further by organising an event for Rumah Perlindungan Nur Qaseh to teach children how to make a lamp.

The event, which Hidayah organised as part of Didik-Kasih’s vision that all its recipients learn to give back to those in need, saw children explore their creative skills as they got to choose the design of their lamp covers and the shape of the base.

Hidayah briefing the children on an ice breaker activity.

What was most interesting about the project that it did not simply revolve around making a lamp. The lamp was upcycled from old home appliances, while children were also taught the basic principles of design so that they could make 3D shapes from a single piece of material.

The children also learnt teamwork as they worked together to make a beautiful and functional lamp.

Using a hot glue gun to stick wooden pegs together for the lamp base.

Even though making a lamp sounds like a difficult task for 25 young children, but they managed to do it with relative ease with the help of some volunteers, taking only two hours to produce creative lamps that they can use when they study late at night.

This came as a welcome surprise to Hidayah. “I felt surprised but happy that the children were easy to manage and were very independent. I’m glad that I got to teach them something meaningful and that could benefit them as well,” said Hidayah, who was thankful that the event went smoothly.

Hidayah showing the children a sample lamp.

Her volunteers were grateful for the experience as well. “I learnt how to play with children, how to understand where they’re coming from, and how to give back to society,” said one of Hidayah’s 10 volunteers.

Nurul Ain, one of the participants from the children’s home, was one of the many kids who thoroughly enjoyed themselves. “I had fun! I love the activities. I learned a lot from the volunteers. Everyone is so helpful!”

A group posing with their completed masterpiece!

We at Great Vision Charity Association (GVCA) are very proud of Hidayah and the effort she put in to teach and nurture the next generation with the same amount of generosity that she received from GVCA, in way of a one-off financial aid and monthly help as well.

If you are undergoing tertiary education and are interested in applying for the Didik-Kasih EduCare Program, applications for 2020 are now open! Read more about it here and talk to us at [email protected] for more information.