This is a subject that I have long mulled over, and only now have got a reason to proceed with. Orphanages. And I restrict the subject to those run by Islamic bodies.
Two weeks ago I was approached by an Islamic-based society for a donation for a Maulidur Rasul celebration here in Johor Bahru, and the caller reiterated over and over again, in a very persuasive manner, that the makan-makan is for "anak-anak yatim, ye, Puan..". I did not want to argue or ask too many questions: where will the `anak-anak yatim' come from? Orphanages in the State?
Because I know that in times like this, the Maulid, Hari Raya, or any religious calendar, the orphans are treated well and abundantly. They will be invited to almost daily `makan' by various charitable organizations or even local artistes eager to serve and appear in the news for doing `good'.
And at other times...where do these unfortunate children eat? At their orphanages, of course.
Are they remembered during the International Children's Day in October? I wonder...do they celebrate their birthdays? If there is a circus in town, does anyone take them there? Have they been entertained by magicians or even the A&W Bear or Ronald McDonald? Have they ever been allowed to run around in Malls where there are men who twist balloons into funny animal shapes? What about Baskin Robbins or Tutti Frutti or Pizza Hut? Do they have Facebooks or Twitter like our children do? Do they know about iPhones or iPads? Twiddle with them? Are they allowed to do so, by the managers? In brief, are they allowed to grow up normal?
When my husband and I were in the districts, my husband became a committee member of the local orphanage. One night they had a meeting in my house, and my husband was to chair it so he sat there, and a moment later walked into the room and came out again with a `kopiah haji' on his head, and sheepishly whispered to me, "Forgot..this is Lembaga Anak Yatim meeting."
I peeked and saw a table of about 12 men, old or middle-aged, with the kopiah or songkok and looking very, very sober indeed.
Then it was Hari Raya and I had a `feast' at home and invited the Lembaga as well. Fine. Except that the children and their supervisors arrived in uniforms of dull blue batik...children as young as 6 or 7, in blue batik...the girls in baggy baju kurung and wore black tudungs and the little boys in similar batik shirts that cuffed at the wrists. And songkok. And they lined up in proper rows for their food and laughed in well-mannered giggles. All the while I thought of Oliver Twist...how accurately Charles Dickens described the scene in his book, and that was in the 19th century. I was talking about 2006.
It is commendable that they are brought up as perfect Muslims, as long as they do not become misfits in their own society. These children go to school in school vans, with the name of their Home emblazoned on the sides - Rumah Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim So-And-So, and in smaller inscriptions, `Kenderaan ini diderma oleh...'. And they troop down as the whole school watch them. So what? So...they might as well have all these labels tied around their necks. Let the whole world know where they come from, who they are, that they are CHARITY. KEBAJIKAN. That's what. How they keep themselves cheered, I do not know.
Would the 12 elderly men know what these children want, after knowing what they need? I observe this more keenly when Ali grows into a young teenager, with teenage demands: "Ma, can I have iPad for my birthday?" then change his mind and asked for an iPhone4. And yet changed his mind again and again, and each time with some novelty or other. He wears Bermuda shorts and strut around in Ipenama slippers, self-assured and confident as he sometimes mind my Internet Cafe. He is able to work out a schedule for my staff there so that everyone gets a day off. Of course, I have to scream and shout daily for him to get his homework done or to perform his solat, but that's part of discipline without being overbearing. At 15, he smiles impishly and not even his Abah can resist it when he says, "Abah..nak Netbook..."
Do the young men at the Orphanages smile just as mischievously, and if they do, would anyone there notice it and get swayed? Or would they be lectured on the vices of modern technology? Would they go to school and watch with envy at their friends' Converse schoolbag or Nike shoes, while they wore the Bata shoes donated by a Yang Berhormat somewhere? Luxury..no no. I can almost hear the 12 elders, with much sadness in their voice, telling these little parentless children, that they are poor...they cannot demand...be thankful for what they have...
The real world is out there, changing at an accelerating rate. You buy an iPhone4 today and next month iPhone5 is out. You learn on WindowsVista, and now its Windows7.. kids are gregarious, confident, they know what they want..they are taught to be heard, not merely seen.
Teachers can no longer bully them if they are late for school because school children are taught to stand for their right: "Sir, I was late because there was a massive traffic jam. Can you do anything about that?" We teach children to be bold and brave, not shrink back in fear or inferiority.
So..come on, all those with money and name..give these unfortunate children a taste of the real world. They do not want to eat good food, they also want popular foods...part with your money on their birthdays with quality merchandise or technological crazes. Let them be brave and confident. Let them be normal. Get Ronald McDonald to come round to the Homes with burgers and fries...and please, all the 12 wise men, it is not really necessary to paint the school van in such big bold letters to announce where these children come from, is it? And let them work part-time outside. At Internet Cafes. Or Boutiques. And let them laugh with real mirth, with genuine joy.
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