A publication by ELSHADDAI CENTRE BERHAD. ISSUE 17 JULY 2023 ELSHADDAI NEWSLETTER - JULY 20223 1 NATIONS REDEEMED THROUGH HOLISTIC COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION We are pleased to share with you our heartfelt, God-given vision guiding ElShaddai Centre's work: to see "Nations Redeemed Through Holistic Community Transformation". The last fifteen years of journeying with marginalised, displaced communities on the ground have not always been easy. But time and again, our experiences are like those of a mother holding her newborn in her arms for the first time, where joy and awe spill over and the pain is quickly forgotten as we see another life touched, healed, empowered and transformed. And we are grateful that many of you are with us on this momentous journey. Bryant L. Myers, Senior Professor of Transformational Development, explicitly defined poverty: "Poverty is the absence of shalom in all its meaning." And shalom means peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquillity. Shalom is the way things ought to be. Poverty, OUR VISION WHAT'S INSIDE? PAGE 1 Our Vision: Nations Redeemed Through Holistic Community Transformation PAGE 4 Ampang Newroots Youth Club PAGE 5 Prime Primary Learning Centre Teachers' Retreat 1-3 June 2023 PAGE 6 Unforgettable Journey as a Camp Commander: Letting Our Light Shine! PAGE 7 Sweet Dreams, Bright Futures: The Tasty Revolution of a Refugee Bakery Project - Contributed by Dr Ng Oi Leng
then, has not only to do with a lack of resources but is caused primarily by broken relationships with God, oneself, others, and creation. It results from relationships that are oppressive, unjust, not conducive to life, not harmonious and pleasant. Effective treatment can only come with an accurate diagnosis. Thus, assistance to the poor and marginalised diaspora communities must focus on reconciliation in relationships and community development, not on short-term relief. Nations Redeemed Malaysia is uniquely blessed as host to many displaced people, representing nations (or ethnic groups) from around the world. Redemption means to restore their dignity, purpose, and hope; uplifting communities burdened by poverty, violence, and displacement. Working in partnership with UNHCR, embassies, church leaders, global networks and other humanitarian organisations, we seek to build holistic care systems to protect and rehabilitate communities focusing on education, skill development, livelihood programs, economic enterprises and other social integration initiatives. We work tirelessly to create an environment where individuals and communities can thrive, breaking the cycles of vulnerability and poverty. 2 ELSHADDAI NEWSLETTER - JUL 2023 To some communities who will eventually return to their home countries, like the Indonesians, we work closely with their embassies to prepare them for their future, especially those children born and raised here. The education, skills and support they receive will never be wasted. It will become a powerful tool for personal and community transformation in time, wherever they may be.
ELSHADDAI NEWSLETTER - JUL 2023 3 It is our privilege to extend our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you—our donors, volunteers, staff, partners, and supporters— for being an integral part of this transformative journey. With your continued support, we can redeem nations, empower individuals, and create a world where hope flourishes, one community at a time. Holistic Community Transformation We also firmly believe that true change comes from within communities. ElShaddai Centre acts as a catalyst, empowering communities to be the architects of their own transformation. By fostering collaboration, providing resources, and facilitating participatory development, we create opportunities to reconcile relationships. As we bring people together, forging cohesiveness in fragmented communities filled initially with mistrust, bitterness and envy, we see changes from mutual suspicion to mutual acceptance and, eventually, comradeship. Our end goal is to see healing and reconciliation of relationships in all four dimensions: with God, oneself, others, and creation. Together, we ignite lasting impact as communities become the driving force for change, revitalising societies from within. Dr Ng Oi Leng Executive Director & Education Director
4 ELSHADDAI NEWSLETTER - JUL 2023 AMPANG NEWROOTS YOUTH CLUB - Contributed by Shanisse Goh It’s a bright Saturday morning. In one particular shop-lot in Ampang, a youth centre comes alive with children’s laughter and excitement. The sound of table soccer, clattering of board games, and cheerful chatter fill the air. Welcome to the NewRoots Youth Club. The youth club has its roots in a series of workshops on self-awareness and motivation that ElShaddai Centre conducted with a small group of 5-7 Afghan youth in Ampang since December 2021. Subsequently, ElShaddai Centre continued to engage the same group of youth with a “Better Life” programme, teaching them the importance of community development and ownership. Upon obtaining a physical space in October 2022, ElShaddai Centre began to conceptualise it as a space for refugee youth to gather and grow in sync. Together with the first batch of youth, it was agreed that this space would have a specific focus on imparting the values of social responsibility, growth mindset, and sustainability. With the help of other partners and community members who came alongside, the NewRoots Youth Club was officially launched on 11 March 2023. Its name carries the hope that as the children and youth sink their roots into Malaysian soil, they would grow new roots that would eventually become trees that bear good fruits. Fast forward a few months later, there are now 50 Afghan children and youth who come to the centre regularly. Each Saturday, there are different activities to look forward to, such as picnic and sports, indoor board games, art and craft sessions, movies etc. These activities are platforms for personal growth and empowerment for the youth. When they play sports and board games, they learn sportsmanship, teamwork, and patience. When they make crafts on special occasions like Mother’s Day, they learn to treasure and show love to those around them. A common thread throughout every session is that they are taking ownership of their community, to build an inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. We thank God that the youth club is very popular among the Afghan kids, with ages ranging from 7 to 15 years old. Looking towards the future, we hope to engage the different age groups meaningfully, as well as to increase engagement with their parents. We also pray that the centre continues to serve as a safe place for the children and youth to play, learn and grow. May it be an anchor for them amidst the uncertainties of life. Q: “What do you like about this youth club?” “All of us are a family. Most of the people are from my school and those who are not, are also my friends.” – F, 10 years old “We don’t have games like these at home. And we get to see our friends that live far away.” – B, 11 years old “Every part is fun, we are playing and learning at the same time.” – S, 10 years old “This place is really special for me.” – M, 8 years old The core values and approaches of the NewRoots Youth Club. A lesson on growth mindset, one of the centre’s core values. On the day of the NewRoots Youth Club launch, students, teachers, and donors put their handprints together to form a beautiful tree.
ELSHADDAI NEWSLETTER - JUL 2023 5 PRIME PRIMARY LEARNING CENTRE TEACHERS' RETREAT 1-3 JUNE 2023 - Contributed by Andrea Lee Sixteen teachers from Prime Primary Learning Centre organized a retreat and went to visit Taiping recently, packed in two vans. The highlights were the Taiping Lake Gardens, the Charcoal Factory and the Mushroom Farm. The Taiping Lake Gardens is a beautiful and scenic place, very popular with tourists and locals alike. The young and vibrant teachers were very excited with the place and took lots of photos in all kinds of poses. The more matured ones also joined in the fun. All of us were amazed at the sight of the trees which are more than 100 years old and had to be propped up by steel columns to prevent them from collapsing. The long branches hovering over the lake is really a sight to behold. Along the way, we also visited the Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve, the largest mangrove forest in Malaysia covering 40,000 hectares. Presently, it is one of the best managed mangrove forest reserves in the world. While we were there, we were informed that mangrove trees are actually a source of natural good barrier against tsunamis. The Charcoal Factory nearby is one place that should not be missed. We were taken on a very interesting and educational guided tour to see how heavy logs of mangrove (bakau) were placed in huge kilns and baked. Fifty tons of logs would result in only ten tons of charcoal at the end of 32 days. The Wonder Farm Mushroom is another interesting place to visit. Here again we were given a guided tour to see how grey oyster mushrooms, white oyster mushrooms, Ling Zhi and black fungus were grown. There is definitely detailed tedious care to ensure that the mushrooms will thrive! Finally, the most rewarding from the trip is the delicious and comparatively cheaper food in Taiping. We loved the wide variety of hawker food at the food courts. For RM5 we could get a bowl of Curry Mee, at RM6 for a plate of fried Kueh Teow. What a steal! All in all, it was a good time of bonding and getting to know one another better outside the classroom. Seeing the funny and sometimes crazy side of a teacher is really something. And seeing who would rush for the bathroom and who would allow others to go first also tells you something else in the character of a person. We thank God for an enjoyable three days and with the desire to yield greater understanding amongst us, and we are already planning the next retreat! All in all, it was a good time of bonding and getting to know one another better outside the classroom. Seeing the funny and sometimes crazy side of a teacher is really something.
6 ELSHADDAI NEWSLETTER - JUL 2023 UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY AS A CAMP COMMANDER: LETTING OUR LIGHT SHINE! - Contributed by Dorothy Yet Hello there, I'm Dorothy, and I’m thrilled to share my incredible experience leading our first-ever Character Camp. Our goal was to help campers explore and unleash their hidden talents while having a great time. And let me tell you, it was an adventure filled with surprises! We had 78 youths from 12 different countries, each with their unique backgrounds and talents. They left us in awe with their infectious energy and willingness to step out of their comfort zones. The incredible team behind the scenes made all this possible. We faced some challenges along the way, but we never gave up. A volunteer fell ill just a few days before the camp, but he bounced back stronger than ever thanks to divine healing and a negative COVID-19 test. Our transportation plans hit a bump as well, but we quickly found a solution and got back on track. Even when one of our campers dislocated their arm during an obstacle course, they remained resilient and inspiring. The talent show was the highlight, with campers showcasing their creativity and teamwork. The young talents who took the stage were simply amazing. We had a tough time choosing winners, but we managed to reward those who best embodied the camp's theme, showed great teamwork, and radiated creativity. Thank you to the brothers and sisters who remembered us in prayer. Although there were many oversights and shortcomings in the camp, it was a place of learning for me. As I step down as the camp leader, I am reminded of Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Hope that this report has been an encouragement for you too.
ELSHADDAI NEWSLETTER - JUL 2023 7 SWEET DREAMS, BRIGHT FUTURES: THE TASTY REVOLUTION OF A REFUGEE BAKERY PROJECT - Contributed by Shalmar Sultan Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what inspired you to start a bakery project? What challenges have you faced in running a bakery project, and how have you overcome them? How has your bakery project grown and evolved since its inception, and what are your plans for the future? I come across many refugee families and most of them are in financial distress, particularly single mothers who rely entirely on external support. Whether it's aid from schools or charitable organizations, their dependence on others for survival makes me sad. I realized that a bakery could be a great way for these women to gain financial independence through learning a valuable skill. I plan to train them to become skilled bakers who can create delicious cakes and biscuits. Then, I will assist in marketing and selling the products to the public and we will split the profits. This will allow the mothers to earn a fair and reasonable income through their own hard work. Initially, I faced challenges in terms of manpower and funding for the bakery project. Starting from scratch, I lacked the necessary equipment and ovens, making it difficult to begin. Thank God, I was able to secure a grant of RM35,000 from the APPGM SDG, which enabled me to purchase the required items and establish the bakery. Although I was struggling to manage everything alone, I was blessed with the support of additional staff over time. Now, we have trainers to help with new employee training, and sales and marketing personnel to execute promotional activities. However, we still need more people to join us in our mission of empowering single women through training and providing them with a stable source of income. Our bakery has grown rapidly, thanks to promotions on Instagram and personal connections. We've also set up booths in shopping malls to increase awareness, resulting in more people supporting our project. During Mother's Day, we sold around 100 cakes and 150 cans of cookies, showcasing our success. Going forward, we plan to establish partnerships with cafes and restaurants to further promote our bakery and make it more sustainable. Additionally, we'll continue setting up booths in different shopping malls and eventually launch an online platform for convenient ordering. What role do you see your bakery playing in the community, and how do you give back? Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers about your bakery project? Our bakery is here to bless the community. A bulk of the profits from the sale of the products goes to the community and for the benefits of the refugees. As an on-going enterprise, we still need the funds to run the projects, where 80% of the profits goes to the refugees and 20% is set aside for the running cost of this project. My goal for this bakery project is to empower refugee single mothers to run their businesses independently and confidently, without relying on my assistance or community support. I hope this project will be sustainable and gain widespread support for its success. L2L Yummy Bites life2lifebakery Follow us
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