I've come to the conclusion that I'm a sort of 'part time' blogger. Not that I don't want to post but just haven't got the time.
There is so much I want to share but its difficult sometimes to express what I see and experience with Reach Out.
Words really can't adequately describe some of the things.
But I try. Because I feel that sometimes things need to be said.
The last couple of months in Reach Out have been totally amazing.
I always wanted to have an NGO that could empower people to take up the cause of eradicating poverty under our guidance and support, but that was so difficult to establish before because of personalities within the organisation.
The energy was dark, false, without substance.
And now...amazing!
We have so many volunteers, not stay at home read the face book folks, but guys and girls who get onto the street and walk the frontline.
Young folks.
Folks who do this with no other reason than it needs to be done.
And then there are our sponsors. Not all large corporations, but students, housewife's, kids, who donate food, bring water, buy curry puffs, bake cakes, cook their own food with friends.
This is community at its best, everyone sharing and working for those in need.
And that's how it should be.
That's what I always envisioned when I started Reach Out way back when.
Now there is light, truth, and solidity. The energy has to be felt to be believed.
The Run Leaders, Zakir, Hasif, Hafiz, Khairul, Mutaquim, bring an energy of care and compassion to what they do.
I see how our street friends react and engage with our volunteers. There is a respect for them and it goes both ways.
Our people give dignity to those in need. They work quietly with focus, care and true compassion.
They truly inspire, not just others to volunteer with Reach Out, but inspire the poor to get up and take control of their lives.
Because they see that we care. That we give them the voice that they don't have. That we work the hours that nobody else does and in places where nobody else goes.
There's Feexa who works tirelessly for sponsor hip, arranging CSR and other programmes, helping folks get onto the street and work in our programmes. Even at midnight she is available to talk with volunteers, sponsors and the like, making sure all is well for Reach Out.
There's Jenny who works quietly in the background with all the secretarial and administrative needs for the organisation.
There's Maple and Tiki, committee members who live now in Bangkok, but who have been with us since the beginning, and who never miss a committee meeting and are always supporting us although they may be in another country.
There's Dato' Mustafa, who lets me use our offices for packing and storing, and also lets my boys run around delivering and collecting goodies we need for operations.
Each person adding something in their own way for the needs of others.
I may not be the most spiritual person in the world (yes I pray, believe, fulfil my obligations, and live my life as I have been commanded to do), but I do believe, without any doubt, that I am blessed to be able to do this work and work with the people who form the "Reach Out family".
So the darkness ends. The falsehood evaporates. The substance holding back the positive has melted into insignificance.
And there is light, clean, clear and bright. There is truth in the work and the objectives. There is a solid core to those who work with Reach and call themselves volunteers, who are proud of what they do and why they do it.
And that will be the everlasting legacy for those individuals, for Reach Out, and for those we serve.
The colours of Reach Out will always be there as long as someone is in need.
There is so much I want to share but its difficult sometimes to express what I see and experience with Reach Out.
Words really can't adequately describe some of the things.
But I try. Because I feel that sometimes things need to be said.
The last couple of months in Reach Out have been totally amazing.
I always wanted to have an NGO that could empower people to take up the cause of eradicating poverty under our guidance and support, but that was so difficult to establish before because of personalities within the organisation.
The energy was dark, false, without substance.
And now...amazing!
We have so many volunteers, not stay at home read the face book folks, but guys and girls who get onto the street and walk the frontline.
Young folks.
Folks who do this with no other reason than it needs to be done.
And then there are our sponsors. Not all large corporations, but students, housewife's, kids, who donate food, bring water, buy curry puffs, bake cakes, cook their own food with friends.
This is community at its best, everyone sharing and working for those in need.
And that's how it should be.
That's what I always envisioned when I started Reach Out way back when.
Now there is light, truth, and solidity. The energy has to be felt to be believed.
The Run Leaders, Zakir, Hasif, Hafiz, Khairul, Mutaquim, bring an energy of care and compassion to what they do.
I see how our street friends react and engage with our volunteers. There is a respect for them and it goes both ways.
Our people give dignity to those in need. They work quietly with focus, care and true compassion.
They truly inspire, not just others to volunteer with Reach Out, but inspire the poor to get up and take control of their lives.
Because they see that we care. That we give them the voice that they don't have. That we work the hours that nobody else does and in places where nobody else goes.
There's Feexa who works tirelessly for sponsor hip, arranging CSR and other programmes, helping folks get onto the street and work in our programmes. Even at midnight she is available to talk with volunteers, sponsors and the like, making sure all is well for Reach Out.
There's Jenny who works quietly in the background with all the secretarial and administrative needs for the organisation.
There's Maple and Tiki, committee members who live now in Bangkok, but who have been with us since the beginning, and who never miss a committee meeting and are always supporting us although they may be in another country.
There's Dato' Mustafa, who lets me use our offices for packing and storing, and also lets my boys run around delivering and collecting goodies we need for operations.
Each person adding something in their own way for the needs of others.
I may not be the most spiritual person in the world (yes I pray, believe, fulfil my obligations, and live my life as I have been commanded to do), but I do believe, without any doubt, that I am blessed to be able to do this work and work with the people who form the "Reach Out family".
So the darkness ends. The falsehood evaporates. The substance holding back the positive has melted into insignificance.
And there is light, clean, clear and bright. There is truth in the work and the objectives. There is a solid core to those who work with Reach and call themselves volunteers, who are proud of what they do and why they do it.
And that will be the everlasting legacy for those individuals, for Reach Out, and for those we serve.
The colours of Reach Out will always be there as long as someone is in need.
