What is a Jordanian, Botswanian and Mauritian doing in Sentul?

Oh yes, what are these undergrads of Multi-Media University, Malacca Campus, doing in a place such as Sentul Wet Market?

Find out by checking this link :http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=tonytan.habitat&target=PHOTO&id=5282376574086770546&aid=5270304926105513105&authkey=3rFDpYNYRmg&invite=CKCbhOQE&feat=email

Dawn Lee Xiang-E, Riyad Dusmohamud, Ulathando Faith Israel, Sami Mohammed Al-Masri, Keletso Oabile, lesego Keganne and Rosellina bte Roslan decided to spend a Saturday away from the books and mugging to have a life-changing experience of helping at a Habitat build. They were busy preparing for their exams but they had a heart to help someone have a home. They said that the pleasure of clearing the area, the wheel-barrowing of sand, stones and mixing of cement was such a joy and pleasure that they would never exchange for anything else... and of course like everyone of us who volunteered, they wished the smell of the nearby market dump would disappear!

Volunteer Orientation

In the final week of August, we had our Volunteer Orientation at HFHM national office. Amongst the presenters are Dr.Nestor, & our NBOT president, Rose Au. We also had Koleen Palaganas, who came all the way from The Philippines, to help us better understand the work of Habitat for Humanity. Oh, not forgetting Michelle Soh from Singapore, who did a teleconference with us, teaching us how to tell the Habitat Story.

I can say that I really benefitted from this orientation programme. Gaining deeper knowledge of the Habitat cause has given me much motivation for excellence. My heartfelt thanks to all the presenters. It was great.

Opening Ceremony

Last week HFH Malaysia had quite a happening schedule. On Thursday (7 August), we officially handed the keys to Encik Zaharin for his new house. His house was a part of our partnership project with The Dow Chemical Company in Kuang, Rawang. President & Vice President of our national board of trustees, Rose Au & Dato Phang Kong Hee, was there to officiate the hand-over ceremony. Encik Zaharin & his wife were very grateful for HFHM's contribute towards his new home. They took us for a tour around the new house, & used every opportunity to express his gratitude to us. He even treated us with refreshments. Overall it was a rewarding visit for us.

On Saturday, we had the opening ceremony of the HFHM National Office in Taman Usahawan, Kepong. Peter Gape, Director of Regional Programs for HFH Asia Pacific, joined us in the ribbon-cutting that marked a key milestone for HFH Malaysia. The opening ceremony was followed by the national board of trustees meeting.

Operationally, these 2 events have spurred us forward. There're already 4 projects in the pipeline that would kick off by September, & we're very excited!! We will posting more information regarding these projects in the near future, & we sure hope to get as many people as possible to be involved as we we build homes for those who would never have the opportunity to own their home without a helping hand from compassionate and kind donors =)

Jared Leto Visits Sentul

Only 2 weeks into this job & already I've had the honour to meet a Hollywood celebrity in Jared Leto, lead singer of the band 30 Seconds to Mars. They are no strangers to Habitat for Humanity's work. In June, the band joined forces with Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity to work on a home being repaired and renovated through the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles' "A Brush With Kindness" programme. In advance of the build, the band organized an auction of "build slots" to give fans the opportunity to volunteer alongside them and their family and friends. In less than a week, six extra workers were enlisted and over $10,000.00 was raised to fund additional Habitat for Humanity projects.

Jared Leto was in KL town with manager Jonathan Kalter, having just co-hosted the MTV Asia Awards in Genting Highlands. We (Julia, Rose, my brother Emmanuel & myself) met them at Hilton Sentral at about 3.30pm, Sunday, 3 August 2008. We sat at the lobby, & took some time to explain to them the Malaysian need & what HFH Malaysia desires to do. Then, we brought them to Kampung Padang Balang, Sentul, to visit a potential Habitat build.

The family we visited consists of a single mother, Puan Noridah & her two children. The 50 year old house bears a lot of the traditional Malay house's elements - built with wood, raised on stilts, plenty of windows - something that was refreshing to Jared & Jonathan. Unfortunately, the structure of the house has been badly affected by termites, especially the pillars. & with the years of deterioration, the house wasn't safe anymore. Personally I was worried that the house would not be able to hold the weight of the many people who were visiting the house.

"I can tell that she has a lot of perseverance & tenacity. She has held this house literally by her commitment, " said Jared, after examining the situation of the house, " Certainly something needs to happen. She's in dire need."

He further commented, "There's something very charming about the house. It's small & decaying. but it's really nice.... and it's funny because you'll see other houses that are bigger and nicer, & they don't include any of those elements (that this house has), and they don't have a feeling of warmth."

After the house visit, the villagers treated us with rambutan & mangosteen. They were about to offer durian, but Jared hasn't acquired a taste of that yet. Later, we also were invited to visit a house that has just hosted a kenduri. We missed the ceremony, but overall I think that Jared & Jonathan had quite an experience of the Malay culture. The newly weds & their families were very excited to have a superstar come to the 'after-party' too. As the villagers of Kampung Padang Balang sent Jared Leto away with a bag of fruits & the buah tangan from the wedding, one of them shouted, "Jared, don't forget my kampung. Kampung Padang Balang!!".

Overall I thought it was a great experience for everyone involved. Personally I am so grateful to get to know a famous someone who presented himself with humility & concern for a fellow human being. Hopefully, through Hollywood for Habitat for Humanity, more celebrities will come to Malaysia.