Apply for a US Visa in Malaysia

It's my very first time of applying a United States Visa with the U.S. embassy here in Malaysia.
After asking friend and visiting some blogs, I came to this place with a nervous feel.

From the date that I made the DS-160 application for the B1/B2 visa and payment of visa fees $160, I have made an appointment 2 days after, which is the soonest appointment date I could secure.

To apply for a US visa, the first step is to fill up the form online - it does not require any documents to be uploaded, except for a passport size photo. You just need to provide the information going to U.S ie. date of arrival, address and contact person in U.S. and your personal information.

Then get a payment slip printed, and do the visa fees payment at the Standard Charter Bank which you will get a receipt number needed for the second step: secure an appointment for interview.

The nearest time I got is at 8.50am. I arrived at the embassy gate at 8.50am where the security guard showed me the place to drop my identity card and exchange for a visitor pass.

I have to queue up at the gate and get in for a security check and to surrender my phone. All electrical items and backpacks are not allowed beyond the gate.

At the entrance I was given a number. This number was called three times: first to submit passport, DS-160 confirmation page, appointment confirmation page, payment receipt and the green paper showing the procedure of the day; second call was fingerprint biometric recording; third call was the interview.

I was asked for the purpose of going to US and my occupation. The officer typed something into the computer and soon he informed me that my visa is approved. Surprisingly, the entire process from the entrance till exit, it lasted for only 1 hour! So efficient!!!

I am getting my 10 years of multiple entry visa soon!

(although there are saying that Malaysian will be exempted for a US visa next year, I am still very happy for being able to go through this process!)

Smile Action Team: Smile Action Project 7.0 - Reach out to more kids ...

Smile Action Team: Smile Action Project 7.0 - Reach out to more kids ...: Malaysia Smile Action Team Association has sent a team of 18, including 4 local Cambodian volunteers to visit 4 children's home...

This is my latest experience volunteering for Smile Action Project 7.0 in Siem Reap. Enjoy the photos and video!

Happy Labour's Day!

Today is Labour's Day.

This is my first rally for workers' day after Bersih 3.0 and Hijau rally. 

In fact our workers are being ill-treated in Malaysia. We do not have an actual statistic, because the employers have taken over the control and nobody will say a word out unless these workers are escaped. 

Some workers from other SouthEast Asia countries came here worked as domestic workers. These unfortunate women were being ill-treated by their employers: physically abused ie. beat them, poured hot water on them, striped their clothes and beat them, sexually harassed them and even worst raped them. They were also being verbally abused, with their wages and passport withheld, being controlled of their movement and freedom to communicate with their family, given inadequate and clean food, over worked (worked at home and at work place), and not given day off at all. Some even worse, being trafficked to be 

We are not aware of these complaints because the workers have no access to complaint with their limitation. Apparently outsiders have no ideas of what had happened on the workers. What can we do? 

Luckily there is an International Labour's Day remind us who are the labours and why we need to fight for their rights. 

The violations on these people are actually unheard and unseen. With limitation of language and complaint mechanism they are on the disadvantaged side. Therefore, we must raise awareness of public good citizen to do good on our workers. We shall end modern slavery. 

A newly met friend said, what we are enjoying today is actually fought by our grandfathers and fathers. We must contribute at least something for our future generations so that they can enjoy what we have today. He also said, why are these workers want to migrate to Malaysia to work? It is because the poor education leads them being ill-treated. We should end this bad cycle. Even though we are well-educated, doesn't mean we can bully them. What is not right being treated to our workers, we must fight for them, until their voice is heard and concerned. In our society, there are so many voices unheard of, unseen, and being discriminated. They are the "oppressed". We shall not abide them, we must fight for them!

Recently, the new regulations on domestic workers from the government was ridiculously unacceptable. There was no detailed and comprehensive of employers' guideline for the workers and I doubted the officers are merely writing them out as if they are the employer. 
It should not be like this. I should really ask these so called policymakers to work as a domestic workers for a month then only write the rules out. 

It's been a tiring day for me. The journey shall not end by one day. 

PS: if you came across someone, migrant workers, who need help. Please let us know! 

The rally

Not for the rich richer

The 10 thousands and more crowd in Dataran Merdeka

People are United.

Malim Nawar Rainbow Bridge is on MyStartr.com!

Sunset of Malim Nawar

It’s a community project aims at bringing hopes and energy to this village called Malim Nawar. Malim Nawar is divided into two since the KTM railway was built in 2004. The villagers find difficulty to go the other sides and less traffic and populated around this area. The livelihood of the residents have been affected. Thus, we wish to transform this little village with tourist attraction by this art transformation project. 

First, we will paint over the bridge with colour paintings on the walls and handrails. Then, we will install colourful mosaic tiles on the walk ways and staircases (only vertical side) with beautiful artistic designs. 

This project was inspired by a late Chile artist Mr. Selaron who devoted his life to make the Estarian Selaron to become a famous tourist attraction in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

The art works combine body,mind and spirt colour healing initiated by a village raised local artist ,the special meaning is added to the painting process of the skybridge in order to bring the positive effect to people and the environment.

We wish to see a boost of new energy into this small and ageing village. It is therefore we need your help to make our little dream comes true. Please support us as best as you can! 

Could you:

1) Provide a lorry and transport mosaics from Petaling Jaya to Malim Nawar, Perak?

2) Provide paints and brush for our student volunteers to do the painting jobs?

3) Provide tiles instalment materials?

Let us know if you could sponsor any of these! 

Our mosaics sponsored by MML is ready at Klang, and we need transportation fees to channel these beautiful tiles to our hometown. Your support is truly appreciated. 

请加入我们的面子书 Please join our group at: www.facebook.com/groups/MalimNawarRainbowBridge/

彩虹天桥瓷砖赞助商：MML (Malaysian Mosaics Bhd)

To support the project, please visit http://mystartr.com/projects/rainbowbridge

Mystartr.com is the first crowd funding platform in Malaysia.

How to support?
1. Register as user.
2. Pledge the amount you like.
3. Select the rewards you like.
4. Proceed to e-transaction.
5. Pledged successfully!

这是一座神奇的天桥。

很久以前，双溪古月只有一条大街，中间还有个历史悠久的火车轨道。就在2004那一年，新的火车轨道建成后却把这个连接着旧街场及新街场的唯一一条脉搏给切断了。取而代之的，是一座人行天桥以及另一座车行天桥来连接两边的市镇。可是，大街上的热闹已不复往日。。。

从此以后，来往这条大街的车辆迅速减少，因为他们都被接驳去另一边的甘榜去了。从此以后，传统咖啡店的生意、邮政局不再热闹，连镇上唯一一间的银行也关闭了。唯一可让村民学生往来对面的，就是这座天桥。由于镇上的商业活动不多，没有工厂及就业机会，双溪古月其实已经面临人口老化及失业汉增加的问题。

我们无法改变这座铁轨的存在，但是我们能够为这个小镇增添色彩及正能量! 我们希望为天桥成为双溪古月里的一个特色，带动其乡村生态旅游业，让这个小地方更精彩！这个点子的起源，其实是来自于笔者去巴西里约热内卢参观一个旅游景点阶梯时，认识这一位创作瓷砖阶梯的热血艺术家，Selaron.用瓷砖创作是非常特别，在加上笔者的姐姐活跃与身心灵彩绘，所以她结合以色彩能量学为基础的壁画彩绘，让来到天桥的人可以的体验到色彩带来的影响力和正面讯息，和让这座天桥给乡村注入灵气和提高地方磁场。这两种艺术结合可谓马来西亚第一宗。我们很想利用颜色的能量让这个天桥变得更活泼，也希望借此能够吸引游客来这儿寻找河婆家乡美食，到原野拍摄自然景色及候鸟，体验农家生活等。

贴瓷砖彩桥的功夫不易，我们需要义工参与瓷砖拼图和壁画彩绘。恳请大家踊跃支持这个圆梦计划。 感恩！

请问，你能否。。。

1）赞助瓷砖从吉隆坡至双溪古月的运输费？

2）赞助漆及油漆用品？

3）赞助贴瓷砖的材料？

若能够资助一点以上任何的费用就好了！谢谢!

如何以行动支持？

1. 首先，登记成为MyStartr.com 的会员 - 按Sign Up，输入姓名 (Name) 及电邮 (Email address)。

2. 接着，回来彩虹天桥的网页，按 右上角蓝色格里的 “Pledge Now"。

3. 请依您的能力或喜好输入或者选择捐款数目， 我们会依据您的捐款回馈一些小礼物给您。

4. 选择付款银行。

5. 输入款项及根据其指示付款。

6. 大功告成！

Malim Nawar Railway that cuts the town.

Random paint. It's no longer there anymore. 

Our shabby tools and materials.

Bricks XD

Kids started to enjoy the colourful bridge, it stimulates their sense of colours too!

Volunteer devoted his time and energy to paint under the sun light. 

The Fortune Goddess is visiting us on feet. 

Our volunteers and the background is getting colourful!

Tambun the Lost World

It was a Sunday that Clement brought me to have a day trip to Tambun the Lost World.

6th April, we travelled from hometown after helping mom to make "Choyban"(菜板). 

We travelled to Tambun which is not so far from Ipoh city, surround the Tambun hills.

Though I don't really like theme park, but not bad to have an exposure with what this theme park is likely to be. 

Entrance of the gate, feels like we are entering the Giant Gate at the Skull Island with King Kong living inside. 

It's a beautiful scene - green rocky hilly view. It's incomparable to the men-made entrance gate and play ground facilities. 

Nature's work is totally amazing as human can't copy it.

An artificial Ipoh Street that sell Ipoh famous snacks. 

The dry and wet facilities inside the theme park are not many, despite there are a some water ways for us to play with. It's good for children to play with water for the whole day. However I was not feeling comfortable with the kids pool area as the water seems to be not so clean.  The moving water in the river cruise and water slides are just cool. I have had great time with Clement to play along with the 5 water slides.

The compound in this theme park is so huge that they also have an amusement park and some sort of zoo they called Tiger Valley. They keep animals such as Siberian tigers, wild cats, pony and porcupine. Too bad that these animals are kept in the cage, being tamed or being used for show. The caged tigers eat at feeding time, sleep, swim and walk around their little compound and let visitors take pictures of them. The zookeeper seems to be enjoyed showing us their feeding skills but I bet the tigers are bored with their games. What can they do is to compromise with the feeding show otherwise they will be punished, I guess.

In the petting zoo, you can see these animals are so obedient in listening to the zookeepers' instructions. They will always be staying in their designated areas, follow every instructions in order to be fed... It is like a modernised little circus to entertain the visitors.
dd

One of the very disgusting show: tiger feeding. 

African Crane Crown finally opens up its wings. 

Spectacular!!!! Trapping animals in the aquarium. 

A closer look of the world largest alligator snapping turtle in the world. 

Extending its petting zoo area into the hills. I think these wild animals are scared to stay here. 

Red-Green Macaw is cleaning itself. Being tamed and it won't fly away. 

The Theme Park has open a Tin Valley as their latest attraction that aims at education young generation about the Tin mining industry in Malaya. Many cities had been developed due to the rise of tin mining activities such as Ipoh and Kampar and therefore they are building this Tin Valley for us to remember. However the content in this valley is pretty simple. If you want to know more about the tin mining industry, you had better visit the Tin Museum located at Bandar Baru Kampar. The facilities and information are pretty rich and real. 

Tin ore washing. Those times women worked so hard under hot sun and extract the tin ore from the river sand.

Next to the water park is this hot spring area. This pool area is very clean and well-managed. The feeling is like sitting in a hot water bath. It's weird bathing in here under the hot sun.

The hot spring area and temperature is just nice. 

 Finally the sun is nearly set. People start getting up from the pool and shower. We managed to take a panorama view of this water park. Parents, I hope you can bring your children into the wild and nature, instead of visiting artificial nature park with plastic and human made amusement parks. Those things are just going round and round and can't bring real fun to the kids. Children can find games to play with the nature with their imagination I am sure.

I really love the hills in Ipoh. Please, don't destroy the nature we have, because we cannot afford to build a man made hill.

Panorama view of the Tambun Lost World Theme Park.  

Rio 2 Talks about Amazon

Photo source: wikipedia

Recently we went to watch movie "Rio 2". 

The story evolved when the family of Blue and Jewel took a journey to Amazon forest. It brought up the facts of illegal logging in the Amazon forest which has destroyed life of many. Macaw tribe have to hide themselves deep in the jungle before the bad people hunt for them, meanwhile they were also threatened by the destruction of their habitat. 

The story of this movie highlighted the birds are planting the seed of Brazil nut - the source of their food, in the Amazon forest. They can even have war with the red macaws for their "brazilian nut tree farm". Which means, if they want to survive, they gotta plant their own trees! 

The film has revealed that the greediness of human who would rather cut the trees down than protecting the animals living in the forests. They can do all harm on to tree-huggers to prevent themselves being stopped from digging the treasures out, and do agricultural and cattle pasture activities. It is reflective to our current situation. The voice of environmentalist is too weak before the rich developers and multi-national logging companies who ruled with power in this game.

Blu played a hero part by leading the birds to fight against the human destroyers. The sad scenario in this real world is our birds and animals are too fragile in the hands of the bad. 

I hope the kids who watched this in the cinema theatre could realise the situation of Amazon rainforest now.   

"During the past 40 years, close to 20 percent of the Amazon rain forest has been cut down" - National Geography

Read:

Last of Amazon

Save The Amazon

10 Terrifying and Informative Facts about Deforestation and the Amazon Rainforest

Explorer wants to settle down in the Forest

Today is the anniversary of me and my significant half, Clement David. 

We have known each other since last year January, and we get along with each other very well since then. 

Early this morning (actually it's midnight) he was so serious in giving me this present, a photo book compiled with our photos together for the past 365 days. 

The feeling was very special, I read the words with my eyes teary, until the last page of the album, which showed a photo of him holding a ring, and wrote "Will you marry me?" I was stunned and burst into tears again. 

It's a happy journey we have been together. I find no reasons to reject him, he is such a dear, adorable person. He did many things just to make me happy, or happier. I know in every decision he made he has already include me as part of his consideration. 

He is the person who make his words, fulfill it and rarely let me down. Relatively I am imcomparable to his efforts. He would spare his time to do many tiny handicrafts, handwritten books n letters to me. He really earned my respect. 

He is very special man I have ever met. We both aware that we are just clicked and feel happy and comfortable with each other. Aside from the good virtues I look up on him, I just love he himself. A true man.

Thanks for his love again, though I have nothing to give him, nor nothing worth for him to love me. 

I am really lucky to have him in my life. 

Would it be too soon to get into marriage? Sooner or later would still get married, cos I can't run away from him anymore! 

I think it's a sign from the universe that I should settle down first while moving on in search of my path. There is some truth in it though. 

MenMen, happy anniversary. :) 

African Crown Crane human bird dance!

Last Sunday, my boyfriend and I went to Tambun the LostWorld for a one-day trip.
We saw a bird and we had a fun dancing time there! Watch the video till the end for a surprise!

Farewell, Irene Fernandez!

On 31st March 2014, Dr Irene Fernandez has left the world. 

I was a nerd, I didn't know about such an Iron Lady a famous figure who fought for right of estate women and migrant workers in Malaysia. 

Only when I read about a project on migrants' right violation in Malaysia posted on Loyarburouk, I met the founder of Tenaganita, and I was granted the opportunity to work with this NGO. 

I have joined the project team for only two weeks before I heard about her hospitalization due to heart failure, it was shocking but I was sure that she will be fine. However people in the office had already smell something. Many were worried about her condition, including me. 

The day before she fell, I went to her office and talked to her about the cases that I came across while working this project. She was happy that I am opened with a new window and am able to see the sufferings born by these migrants. She agreed we must do something to stop these violations, but takes time. She is wise enough to tell me migrants right violation is not just happened overnight. 

It was the time for sending off. The 2-hour mass was performed at Catholic Church of Divine Mercy in Shah Alam. It was my first time participating in a Catholic funeral. Big ensembly hall, many statues, prayers in the form of standing, sitting, and singing. 

I'm sure we all felt calming, comfort and consoled after the mass. She is back to the Kingdom of light and peace. 

Looking at her face lying in the white colour coffin, she looked calm and smiling. I said 'thank you' to her for bringing me into this project and opened my eyes. 

Dr Irene, your journeys shall not stop here. There are many of us to be your fighters, for justice and truth. 

May your soul rest in peace. 

Ching Ming grave-sweeping

April is the month for visiting our ancestors/late family members' graves. A moment to remind the children and grandchildren to visit them. 

I like this festival as we get to bring the family members together once a year - who travelled from various parts of the country back to this village where they free up together. 

Not only that we prepared their (our grandparents') favourite food as offerings,   Burning some paper money and daily items for their usage in another world. 

According to Chinese tradition, only by burning they can receive the money. Of course, that has it's own story that triggers Chinese to practice later. 

Last time I have a friend clement to accompany my family to go for tomb sweeping, this year I have him, a friend-turn-to-be-boyfriend, to accompany us to the graveyard again, even though he doesn't practice it as a Christian.

Mom was happy that I came back to join the family annual practice, that I was able to accompany her to see my grandparents. Some young kids who never follow their parents to tomb sweeping could never understand why we have such activities. It's actually a sign of reunion. In the old times my father's side siblings had disagreements and they were studborn enough to disconnect with each other, the only opportunity to get together is visit their parents on the Qing Ming festival. 

I told my mom that I will be cremated and my ashes will be thrown into the ocean. Let everything goes back to the earth. How people will remember me? I don't think I need a place in memorial park... Just hang a picture of mine in the house is good enough. Haha. 

 

There is a tomb abandoned for many years. The wordings on the grave stone were faded, the prayer platform was buried with a think layer of sand and hide some words. While we have done repaint the red paint of our oldest aunt's name on her grave stone, we helped to repaint the neightbour's and found out that this faded stone belongs to an uncle of 台山 (tai Shan people, from China) with surname 'yu' (余) and named 'kui' (魁) whom passed away on the same year as my aunt. 

We gave some offerings and thanked his accompany with our aunt. 

The entire ceremony ended in 2 hours. 

Green and Blue Group: Environmental Protection begins from Policy (Guang Ming, 2011)

青藍環境保護組織倚重科學數據‧環保從政策開始

• 副刊
 
• 綜合
 

 2011-08-18 13:31

• 
  “青藍”的成員們熬夜三晚，只為了做出這個立體模型，讓小朋友透過遊戲瞭解吉隆坡市區製造的垃圾，必須經過多遠的距離才能運到土埋場丟棄。“很多人都不知道垃圾去了哪裡。”黃志源說。（圖：光明日報）

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澳洲野火、日本大海嘯、紐西蘭基督城地震，近年來在世界各地發生的大型天災，似乎離你我很近，卻也很遠。居住在馬來西亞的你我除了從新聞畫面上得知這些消息外，又有多少人切身感受到環境正在迅速遭受破壞的嚴重性呢？環保人人會說，卻不是人人在做，“從政策開始改變”是“馬來西亞青藍環境保護組織”確信的目標。

“本地的環保還只停留在資源回收，我覺得還可以做得更好。”身為牙醫的王潤源說道，他向來對環保議題十分關注。無論是在日常生活中，或是參與政治活動，其宗旨都離不開環境保護。2008年，和友人成立了“馬來西亞青藍環境保護組織”（Malaysia Environmental Protection Group Green and Blue），從政策面著手研究本地的環保方向。

大馬具有過百個非營利組織，其中從事慈善福利的佔多數，王潤源帶領的非營利組織內容有何不同？“我們的成員許多正就讀環境工程相關科系，因此我們的走向偏向科學和數據。”他解釋，例如近來組織十分關注垃圾回收問題，便會蒐集數據，並提呈報告給政黨相關人士，讓他們得以在會議上討論。為了推廣環保理念，王潤源和組識成也奔走於國會、州屬會議的會場，擺攤講解環保的重要性和可改善的方向。

慨嘆大馬環保意識落後

“馬來西亞缺乏綠色政黨。”曾經希望透過政治推動環保的王潤源語重心長地說，所謂的“綠色政黨”是以環保、和平、社會正義為共同訴求的政黨，於80年代起源於歐洲、澳洲及紐西蘭等地，是全世界唯一進行跨國串連的政治力量。在歐洲地區，29個國家的32個綠黨和綠色組織在結合成立“歐洲綠色聯盟”（European Greens Federation）之後，2004年2月因應歐盟的運作，進而成立“歐洲綠黨”（European Green Party），現在是歐洲議會中的第四大黨。

王潤源指出，本地已有不少團體在推動環保事業，例如慈濟大力推動資源分類回收，“但追根究底還是要從政策改變，才能全民動起來。”他舉例說，政府推出的“三色桶”計劃沒有相應的後續措施，硬體措施如垃圾車也沒有分隔為三份，人民也只是白白浪費分類的力氣。

正職為牙醫的王潤源非常忙碌，和記者約訪的星期天午後，也是在工作後才進行專訪。問到如何抽出時間從事這類公益活動，他淡然說了聲“還是要抽時間，儘量做。”日前到英法等國探望友人時，在路上也不時注意城市規劃中和環保相關的事項。看到英國近來呼吁“Zero Landfill”（垃圾零土埋）的口號時，也讓他大嘆大馬對環保意識的落後。

2R+1S環保新主張

“大馬的工業發展在進步，但對環境的保護卻在開倒車。”面對大馬95%的垃圾依然靠土埋的問題，“青藍環保組識”副主席黃志源也有一套獨特見解。“資源回收一直立基於被回收的垃圾是否有經濟價值，既然如此我們必須從源頭開始保留它的價值。”

由於垃圾中七成以上為食物殘渣，如果不一開始就先分類，勢必有許多回收物將被弄髒，導致無法回收。就讀馬大環境工程系的黃志源對資源回收深感興趣，決定進行一項實驗，先從本科系的驗區進行垃圾分類回收的實驗。要回收，必須先準備回收桶（Recycle Bin）。

懶分類全丟進垃圾桶

黃志源發現，政府推出的三色桶一套費用為馬幣600令吉，一個學生兩千人的院區，若置放50套回收桶，則耗資3萬令吉。他和組員想出個妙法，收回院區原本備有的垃圾桶，上色改裝為回收桶，只需要動用5000元，省下了2萬5000的開銷。“人是很懶的，在回收桶和垃圾桶之間，通常會選擇通通丟進垃圾桶。”他也觀察了人們丟垃圾的習慣，發現許多人從小被灌輸“垃圾要包成一袋綁好”的觀念。因此他只留下回收桶，“強迫”人們必須進行垃圾分類。

黃志源所進行的實驗得到良好迴響，目前每月可蒐集超過1000kg的可回收資源。超認為，大學是改變人們丟垃圾習慣的最後一道防線，因此這項“回收桶措施”應該落實於全國中小學，讓孩子們養成份類的好習慣。對於政府過去提倡的3R：Reduce，Reuse, Recycle，他也有新主張。“減少和重新利用是我們能夠做到的，但‘再循環’是個人無法達成的，我們畢竟不是工廠。”他笑說，也因此他提倡“2R+1S Reduce, Reuse+Separate”，旨在強調垃圾分類的重要性。

由小做起環保新法

一條條蠕動的大蚯蚓，竟然可以製造肥料？“青藍環保組織”自成立以來，每年都會舉辦讓大人小孩參與的環保活動。他們教導小朋友垃圾分類、製造酵素，甚至找到一種可分解廚餘的大蚯蚓，讓小朋友帶回家，以廚餘餵養，再將蚯蚓排出的糞便當作植物肥料。

以廚餘堆肥，是黃志源目前在進行的環保項目之一。“城市垃圾裡廚餘佔了七成以上。”想要朝解決這問題發展的黃志源，恰巧得到銀行的一筆資助，便和JPSPN（Jabatan Pengurusan Sisa Pepejal Negara）及日本合作，引進一個以細菌分解廚餘，製造堆肥的技術，目前於馬大進行實驗。“操作方法和做酵素差不多，例如一塊雞肉，利用這方法可以在七天內分解到只剩下骨頭。”他解釋說，目前這套模式在印尼、菲律賓已經成功減少了城市裡80%的廚餘量。

“如果這方法操作成功，我們會借力NGO去宣傳。”黃志源表示，呼吁和宣揚是非營利組織的責任，他們選擇透過更多科學化的方式，從實證中推動政策的改變，用自己的方式讓馬來西亞的環保能夠做得更好。

教孩子認識濕地

星期六的午後，“青藍環保組織”帶著親朋好友來到位於布特拉再也的濕地公園。佔地335公頃的濕地公園，是國內僅有的人造濕地，環境優美但人煙稀少。

“濕地在保水、生態方面都扮演著重要角色。”活動主辦人，亦是“青藍”一員的蔡錦莉講解著濕地的重要性。本身修讀生物科技的蔡錦莉，從大學起就熱愛從事公益活動。這一次帶著親朋好友到布城的濕地出遊，是希望人們可以在享受大自然的同時，也別忘了它們正一點一滴減少著。

一行人沿著公園裡的步道漫步，到展覽館裡參觀關於濕地的重要性及分布圖等展示，邊聽蔡錦莉講解濕地的小常識。經過一輪講解後，大家又浩浩蕩蕩登上了園裡的遼望台，俯瞰國內最大的人造濕地，並在習習涼風中畫下了環保布條，也表達對濕地保護的支持。

濕地是野生動物保護區

王潤源也參與了這項活動，穿著白襯衫、黑長褲的他，明顯是下班後直接前來濕地。“這是距離吉隆地市區最近的濕地。”每一年，“青藍環保組識”都會配合世界環境日舉辦一些具有教育義意的活動，而今年就配合了“森林”主題，選在布城濕地進行活動。蔡錦莉說，很多人都忘了濕地也是種特別的森林，除了蘊含水源外，也是野生動物保護區，吸引了種類繁多的動物。在布城濕地公園裡可以找到白鷺、綠鷺等鳥類，是觀鳥者的一個好去處。（光明日報／副刊‧報導：鍾若芳）

Source: http://www.guangming.com.my/node/111131

Smile Action Project in Cambodia (Guang Ming Daily, 2011)

牙醫帶微笑入柬埔寨‧教貧童刷牙

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 2011-03-27 19:17

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  王潤源醫生正為孤兒檢查牙齒，大部分孩子都有蛀牙。（圖：光明日報）

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（吉隆坡27日訊）柬埔寨在70年代經歷長達5年政變的戰火蹂躪，五分之一人口慘遭大屠殺後，經濟從此一蹶不振，並也產生許多社會問題，尤其因貧窮衍生出來的棄童問題。眼見柬埔寨一片落後，逾萬離流失所的孩童在街邊乞討、有的甚至被賣去當雛妓，讓已為人父的牙科醫生王潤源大感心疼。為讓這些孤兒和貧戶兒童重新綻放笑容，感受社會溫情與關愛，他遂與另5名牙醫及4名醫護人員等10人組成“微笑行動計劃”，一行人帶著流動牙科器材飛往金邊為孤兒免費護理牙齒。

義診計劃提早實行

兩天內，義工團共為130位孩童檢查牙齒、補牙及拔牙。為善不落人後，他們打算今年8月再踏足金邊探望孩子們。與此同時，他們也準備把這項義行擴展至國內外各個貧脊地區，好讓所有沒有能力自費接受牙科護理的孩子受惠。

“微笑吧，孩子！你要知道，有人愛著你，不要放棄自己，也不要放棄關愛他人！”就是這個信念促使王潤源組成“微笑行動計劃”，誓要為孩子們找回失去已久的笑容。

這個計劃的固定成員包括另5名牙醫，分別是劉雲薇、謝金城、顏麗花、何庭琪、史蒂拉陳，還有2名診所經理林美儀和蔡錦莉及2名護士。偶爾也有志願人士加入陣容。

王潤源接受《光明日報》訪問時說，在大學期間他便許下要當個“無國界醫生”的願望，且立志要在退休後免費為貧窮人士護牙。

去年4月，他到柬埔寨旅遊時，通過教會的關係拜訪了一所名為“Speu F G A”的兒童護理中心，裡頭住了130名孤兒。當他看著這批被遺棄的孩子，有者甚至被父母販賣到淫窟當妓女的凄涼下場，身為一名父親，他當下感到無比心疼，並將心比心，想像如果是自身的孩子，他會怎麼做？

篤信基督教的王潤源說，在直覺行善不能再等的情況下，他決定提早實現他的義診之旅。“我以前和診所同伴談過，退休後一起到東馬的內陸地區，為需要的人免費護牙。可是處在柬埔寨的那一刻，我覺得這個計劃要提早實行。”

他指出，他們一行人興致勃勃地在今年1月來到金邊投入服務，在短短的兩天內為130名孩童拔牙或補牙，儘管疲累，但心裡卻有雙倍滿足。

“我不覺得自己特別偉大，我只把自己視為隱形天使，去幫助有需要的人，這種善舉是超越一切膚色、種族的表現。”

王潤源回憶說，當他們結束義診之旅並準備離開時，中心特別舉辦一個聚會，並安排一些孩子們對著他說一堆他聽不懂的柬埔寨語，儘管如此，從孩子們的表情，他知道，他們內心是充滿感激的。

“在那一霎那，我覺得自己得到很多收穫，很感動，也帶給我很大的鼓勵。”

5年後柬開兒童牙醫院

王潤源說，他們為金邊孤兒進行口腔義診，是為了帶給孩子們無限的關愛，讓他們感受到社會依然有人關心他們，沒想到反而是他們這些大孩子被小孩天真無邪的笑容和感恩的眼神感動，更激起他們要繼續去關愛這群孩子。有鑑於此，“微笑行動計劃”已積極籌備，在今年8月再度踏足金邊，探望那群可愛的孩童們。

王潤源希望“微笑行動”能夠擴至更多兒童中心，讓更多孤兒受惠，他也計劃每年至少3次去柬埔寨行善。他披露，他也盤算著，5年後到柬埔寨開設兒童牙科醫院。

他一臉滿足地說，這將會是他退休後的工作了。

無法咀嚼蛀牙影響消化力

王潤源說，柬埔寨的孤兒們之所以長得瘦小，和實際年齡不相稱，是因為他們都有蛀牙，以致無法好好咀嚼食物，進而影響消化能力。

他稱，孩子們雖三餐定食，但因為沒有正確護理牙齒，才會引起蛀牙。“當蛀牙引發神經敏感性疼痛時，他們只能服用止痛藥，結果沒有正視爛牙，久而久之蛀牙便直接影響他們的咬嚼方式，進而拖慢了他們吸收食物營養的進度。”

他披露，基於大部份非政府組織都僅提供醫藥服務給東埔寨人民，但牙齒護理的服務卻少見，他於是決定發起“牙醫義診”，為孤兒謀福利。

“一般孩子都很怕拔牙，但這些孤兒雖面露害怕之情，但一點也不會抗拒或大喊大叫，反而乖乖躺下任我們‘宰割’。

經過拔牙的陣痛後，孩子們吃飯時都露出了滿足的笑容，因為他們終於可以好好咀嚼食物了。”

設備不齊全
首次行動失敗

為金邊孤兒展開的“微笑行動計劃”並非一帆風順，王潤源一行人去年8月首次出發到金邊，一度受到關卡阻止，只因他們事先並未通報，結果被當局誤以為從事不法勾當。基於當時他們也沒有帶齊設備，加上當地又沒有適用的器材可護牙，因此也無法如願為孤兒進行口腔義診，只能教導孩子們正確的刷牙方法。

“微笑行動計劃”發起人王潤源說，第一次的“失敗經驗”後，他們才明白到必須事先做足功課，即考察當地的真實情況再伸出援手。

“第一次失敗並沒有打擊我們的信心及熱誠，回來後我們積極與大使館聯繫，柬埔寨兒童中心也成功向外國非政府組織借用開設在中心旁的牙醫診所。”

一切行政方面的通關文件在去年12月搞定後，王潤源特別購買一台流動牙科器材，大伙人再度浩浩蕩蕩於今年1月1日踏足金邊。

不過此次行程只有王潤源、劉雲薇及何庭琪這3名牙醫隨行，還有診所經理林美儀和蔡錦莉、巫裔護士瑪斯杜拉及另兩名義工。

義診隊員的話
孩童惜福我很感動

其中一名牙醫劉雲薇說，她從來沒想過會參與慈善活動，當聽到王潤源的計劃時，她當下就覺得那是個天馬行空的想法。

“結果看著王醫生買了流動器材，一切準備就緒。我就跟著去試看，當我們為孩童們完成牙齒護理後，他們握著我的手放在他們的額頭上，這小小的舉動，讓我很開心，因為他們是那麼地珍惜我們所作的一切。”

從那一刻起，劉雲薇就決定，她要繼續參與這項計劃。

應徵已知要參與慈善

同是23歲的診所經理林美儀和蔡錦莉，5個月前從馬大畢業後到王潤源的牙醫診所應徵時，王潤源已清楚告訴她們，除了診所的日常工作，也需一同參與慈善工作。兩人也不介意這“額外”的工作量，只因助人為快樂之本。經過了柬埔寨之旅，兩人也更堅持參與慈善的決心。

林美儀說，雖然他們只在柬埔寨的“SpeuF GA”的兒童護理中心逗留3天，但已足夠他們回憶無窮，因孩子們都天真可愛，還會主動問候他們，與他們玩樂，讓他們很快就融入當地的生活。

“這趟旅程和我想像中的不同，我的收獲很大很大。”

慈善不分宗教種族

另外，是名佛教徒的蔡錦莉認為，慈善不分宗教與種族，因此只要有需要到她的地方，她一定義不容辭。

目前，除了工作，林美儀與蔡錦莉也要抽時間開會籌備到柬埔寨的義診之旅。不說不知，兩人還是環保份子，常召集朋友們一同爬山清理垃圾。

懂多一點：柬萬名兒童流落街頭

曾因農產富庶而被譽為“亞洲米倉”的柬埔寨，在1970年3月18日發生政變。柬埔寨國王諾羅敦．西哈努克被美國人暗中操控的右翼朗諾政治集團廢黜了。

4月30日，美國和南越軍隊大舉入侵柬埔寨，悲憤的人民為了抗美救國，迅速投向反美的柬共一方，並將他們稱作紅色高棉（赤柬）。

1975年4月，美從越南撤退，朗諾也逃往國外，紅色高棉成功攻陷金邊，但緊接著的是柬埔寨人民慘遭一場殘暴的大屠殺，導演者就是紅色高棉的領袖波爾布特。在他執政的3年8個月時間內，處於戰亂的柬埔寨有200萬人死於饑荒、勞役、疾病或迫害等各種原因，佔當時柬國人口五分之一，是20世紀中最血腥暴力的人為大災難之一。

從此，柬埔寨不但經濟垮掉，也產生許多社會問題，如貧窮、貪污、教育水準低落、疾病傳染的威脅等，尤其棄童案屢見不鮮，形成如今柬埔寨街頭一片兒童乞討的凄景。

根據統計，目前柬埔寨約有1萬名兒童流落街頭，而女孩被販賣成為妓女的事件仍時有耳聞。（光明日報／獨家報導：文:林寶慧）

资料：http://www.guangming.com.my/node/99094

The Star: Volunteers Planting the Future

Monday June 11, 2012

Volunteers planting the future

BY NATALIE HENG 
STAR2GREEN@THESTAR.COM.MY

   

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Volunteers are making the world a greener place.

WADING knee-deep through thick mud under a sweltering sun, with your hands covered in muck, probably isn’t a typical way of spending a weekend. There must be some explanation, however, to the rising number of people who are doing just that.

Operating as a mini army of volunteers, these tree planters would car-pool their way to various sites in Selangor and proceed to plant hundreds of tree seedlings in the ground.

Choy Kim Lee, 24, and Bernard Eng, 23, have been on frequent trips to Section 13 in Shah Alam. Young, passionate and driven by a common goal, the two are part of a growing generation of green-minded individuals.

Mobilised by the relatively recent revelation of social networking sites, finding a cause and acting on it has never been easier, and this has helped to foster a network of volunteer junkies adept at organising themselves through such mediums as Twitter, Facebook, and an ever expanding blogosphere.

Having met as participants in a United Nations conference a few years ago, it was Eng who first invited Choy to go tree-planting at Sungai Damansara.

Choy recalls how surprised she was, on her first trip, at seeing so many youths participating in the event. “There were bus loads and bus loads of them.”

The collective effort resulted in the planting of 25,000 trees along Sungai Damansara as part of a wider Shah Alam River And Trees For Life project organised by Shah Alam City Council, Sathya Sai Organisation, the Department Of Irrigation And Drainage, Forestry Department, and Forest Research Institute Malaysia.

Bernard Eng and Choy Kim Lee are sowing the seeds for a more sustainable future.

The project aims to breathe life back into the city’s landscape by creating natural and shady paths along the river, which can be used by the community to experience the simple joys of nature. Once grown, the trees will also stabilise the river bank by helping to prevent erosion through an extensive root system, and encourage biodiversity at the same time.

Trees have been planted in various parts of Shah Alam, including Taman Bukit Jelutong in Seksyen U8, Dusun Tasik Seksyen 7 and the Sungai Renggam river bank at Section 15.

Recalling his first tree-planting session four years ago, Eng describes what drew him in: “You get to touch the earth with your bare hands, and then you get to watch the trees grow over time from the first day you planted them. It gives you a kind of indescribable satisfaction.”

After that experience which took place against the pitiful backdrop of the Raja Musa Forest Reserve, a heavily degraded peat swamp forest in north Selangor which has suffered from decades of logging and illegal clearing for the purpose of agriculture and human settlement, he became hooked.

He had heard of the tree-planting events organised by Ecowarriors, a collective of like-minded people who mobilise themselves through the Internet to promote activities which support an environmentally friendly lifestyle. He became a regular on their trips and by default found himself organising various tree-planting projects through the Ecowarriors Facebook page. Between 100 and 300 volunteers join the tree planting each time.

Choy enjoys tree-planting for reasons similar to Eng’s, and thinks it’s a great way to improve landscaping and the community’s quality of life. Aside from the common perception that tree planting can combat global warming by increasing the earth’s carbon sink, she thinks the activity has a greater role when it comes to spreading awareness about global environment issues.

“People need to ask, why are we here, planting trees? In school, I learnt about global warming in text books. We know what it is, we know what CO2 does, all that stuff comes up in our exam questions. But they don’t ask us, what can we do for the earth?” she points out.

She says schools need to play a bigger role in encouraging awareness and critical thinking when it comes to tackling looming environmental issues. Waste management, the coming energy crises ... these are problems which, she says, require solutions.

Growing trees: Volunteers planting tree seedlings on a bank of Sungai Damansara in Shah Alam, Selangor. Many Malaysians do not mind getting their hands dirty when it comes to greening the earth.

“I think this is a task not just for youths, who need to advocate for change, but also for teachers who can play a role in encouraging young people to think about these issues.”

Both Choy and Eng have chosen careers which will allow them to, in one way or another, play a small role in shaping the future.

Choy shares: “I graduated with a degree in Biomedical Sciences from Universiti Malaya in 2010 and am going to continue my studies with a Masters in Public Health. I am particularly interested in the impact of environmental change on public health, for example, how global warming can lead to spikes in malaria cases.”

Eng, on the other hand, has gone for a more lucrative trade – chemical engineering. He is currently finishing his final year at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and hopes to start a career in the field of renewable energy.

“In my course, we learn a lot about green technology stuff, like designing plants. Right now, I am doing a project on hydrogen technology, which may one day support hydrogen as an alternative fuel to oil and gas.”

For now, these dreams will have to wait.

Among the thousands of trees being planted along Sungai Damansara are fruit trees such as mango, durian and guava. The plants grow but inches per year, but then again, caring for the environment is a game of patience.

Choy and Eng are dedicating their future towards a greener, more sustainable tomorrow. But just like their tree-planting activities, it will be the generations of the future who will benefit from the scrumptious fruits of their labour.

■ To join Malaysia’s growing community of tree-planters, go towww.ecowarriors.blog.com or www.facebook.com/groups/ecowarriorsmalaysia. The National Tree Planting Campaign portal, www.treesforlife.gov.my, provides regular updates on various tree planting activities.

Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/story.aspx/?file=%2f2012%2f6%2f11%2flifeliving%2f11117081&sec=lifeliving