By Nancy Nais
KUCHING, April 27: Thirty-five orphans and underprivileged children were treated to a fun day-trip to the fire station and shopping for the coming Hari Raya Aidilfitri today.
The event was jointly organised by the Safety and Health Occupational Employees (SHOES) and state Fire and Rescue (Bomba) Department.
The children, aged six to 14, were taken to the Tabuan Jaya fire station to have a feel of real firefighting gear, use water hoses and ride in a fire engine.
They toured the premises in fire trucks with the loud sirens on, giving them the excitement of a lifetime.
Firefighters pitched in for the event, creating fun and hands-on activities, including fire and safety cartoons featuring the famous animated twin brothers Upin and Ipin.
The children were taught how to ‘Stop, Drop and Roll’ if their own clothes catch fire, causing lots of laughter and giggles in the room as everyone, including their teachers, were having fun.
Apart from that, the children also had the chance to don pint-sized firefighting uniforms, with some help from firefighters.
All of them were also given ‘duit raya’ and vouchers worth about RM200 each, where they were brought to Mydin Hypermart in Petra Jaya to shop for new clothes and necessities.
SHOES is a three WhatsApp groups ‘All About Safety’, ‘D’Peacemaker’ and ‘Safety and Security KL’ personnel from various bodies, including hotel, hospital, media, businesses and banking establishments in Kuala Lumpur.
Its representative Hamidun Ismail said this was the fourth year the programme `Kami Sayang Kamu’ has been jointly held with Bomba.
“This year, we decided to make a change by doing it in Kuching, Sarawak. We have successfully raised funds through contributions from various parties mentioned above, and Mydin Hypermarket also agreed to host the orphan’s visit,” Hamidun said.
Thanking SHOES for their undivided support towards the underprivileged, state Bomba director Khirudin Drahman said any sincere events and intentions to help the underprivileged should be emulated.
“I believe if our intention is good, then it will be good. Apart from treating these children, we are also educating them and our communities. I sincerely pray that one day, all of them will grow up to be good leaders and practise what was thought.
“A great trip to the fire station is a wonderful experience for these little boys and girls. Children usually get very excited when they learn how important fire prevention and fire safety can be,” he said.
Khirudin strongly believed that one of the best ways to reduce fires outbreaks is by educating the younger generation.
The department has been focusing on educating young children in the state on the importance of the 3L — ‘lupa, lalai, leka (forget, careless, lazy) — by using fun and hands-on learning modules.
“This is the only way to approach small children and expose them to fire awareness in a relaxed and easy-to-understand manner. I believe when these children are exposed to or participate in such learning method, they will remember because it is enjoyable,” he said. — DayakDaily
