Featured Club of the Week: MADU Club

You have had a long week in college, lessons are getting harder to comprehend, assignments are piling up and you’re wondering when you would finally have time to curl up in bed and read that delicious novel that you are dying to devour. Finally, the weekend arrives.

You look forward to having some “me” time. Don’t we all? How many of us would be willing to give up our Saturday mornings and spend them at college?

As a matter of fact, we have a group of about 40 big-hearted students doing just that every fortnight. They are – the M.A.D.U. Club! Just in case you’re wondering what M.A.D.U. stands for, it stands for Make A Difference United.

So what is M.A.D.U. all about? Here’s what some M.A.D.U. members said.

“We aim to help underprivileged kids. We help them learn how to improve in the English language and also aid them in their reading skills, hoping to see them benefit from the various skills that have been taught. We also include activities where the children learn arts and crafts,” explained Alanna Ong from HH1, the president of M.A.D.U. club, when asked about the objectives of the M.A.D.U club.

“Through my experience as a M.A.D.U. member, I realized how fortunate I am compared to the underprivileged kids,” said Sacha Wong, a M.A.D.U member from HB1.

“M.A.D.U. has taught me to be more compassionate towards the less fortunate,” said Jimmy Lim, also from HB1.

“The kids that come are really sweet and nice,” said Catherine, from HH1.

On Saturday mornings, the club holds activities for the kids. These kids are mostly orphans or poor children who are schooling. Their ages range from 4 years old to 13 years old. They come from urban poor communities and 5 orphanages such as Rumah Hope, Rumah Keluarga Kami, Rumah Juara, Rumah Ozanam and Persatuan Purelife.

The morning starts off with simple but fun ice-breakers which get the kids warmed up. Some of these games help the children learn how to work together and enhance their soft skills. Next, there is the arts and crafts session where kids learn how to make wonders with their own fingers. The M.A.D.U. members assist, help and teach the children various skills. The reading program is also held. Members help the children learn how to read and speak well. Something which I found interesting was that, at the end of every morning, both members and children would write journals on what they have learnt. After all, it is important for a person to reflect on things after participating in an activity.

The club’s materials are sponsored by Yellow House, a body which helps children express themselves creatively. It was developed by the Malaysian Friends of UNICEF, in celebration of children’s rights. M.A.D.U. meets every fortnight on Saturdays in the Delta Theatre. If you have a heart for underprivileged kids and a capable pair of helping hands, email the M.A.D.U club at: madu.tcsh@gmail.com

By SARAH TAN YANN JIA Photos by SHARIDA HASSAN