Deepavali shopping spree for Rumah Kebajikan Karunai Illam children

Kuala Lumpur, 22 October 2018

Deepavali is an important time for Indian families in celebrating the victory of light over darkness and good over evil.  In conjunction with the celebration of Deepavali, Da Ma Cai through its Staff-In-The-Community (SITC) program spent a meaningful day with children from Rumah Kebajikan Karunai Illam (RKKI.)

The joyful day started with the Da Ma Cai volunteers gathering at RKKI. Right after a short tour at RKKI, the volunteers spent time interacting with the children through recreational activities including Deepavali trivia questions and colouring of the printed traditional rangoli designs, diyas (earthen lamps, the most iconic decorative item for Deepavali). These activities turned out to be an excellent way to get into the festive moods.

The best part of any festival is enjoying the delicious food, children had a feasting time indulging into the sumptuous vegetarian buffet spread that was specially prepared. Chatters and giggles filled the hall as volunteers also sat together with the children during the lunch.

A favourite Deepavali tradition is buying and wearing new and colourful clothes. Therefore, all children got themselves ready after lunch and head over for an all-expenses-paid festive shopping. With the assistance of Da Ma Cai volunteers, the girls spent an hour choosing their clothes and shoes. By the end of the shopping, everyone was feeling happy and contented and all the girls return with bags of items on their hands.

“I am thankful as this is the first time I went for shopping with my friends,” said the overjoyed 13 year-old Sara Devi Krishnan.

In the spirit of giving and sharing, another RM3,000 cash vouchers were handed to the home’s Executive Administrator, Madam Luckshmi to purchase daily necessities for the Home.  In appreciation, the children performed cultural dances to entertain the volunteers.

“At RKKI, we focused on academic lessons, but we are not forgetting other leisure activities that will help the children to identify their strengths and develop their future goals. Their lives can surely be improved,” said Dr Raj, council member of RKKI.

RKKI is a centre for underprivileged girls located in Taman Ehsan, Kepong. It is set up with the aim to meet the ever demanding need to nurture, care and educate underprivileged girls. Aside from providing residential care to underprivileged girls, RKKI also provides general education, training, guidance and counselling services to those in need.

 “We are pleased that we are able to brighten up the lives of children at RKKI this Deepavali. We hope that our act will serve to inspire the community to get involve and contribute to the less fortunate,” said Da Ma Cai spokesperson.

For details or donations, please refer to http://karunaihome.org/.

Da Ma Cai is a brand of Pan Malaysian Pools Sdn. Bhd. (PMP), Malaysia’s authorised numbers forecast operator. On an annual basis, Da Ma Cai actively supports various causes in the areas of education, social welfare and public health through a wide range of programmes and activities carried out in the country. Following the acquisition of PMP by Jana Pendidikan Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (JPM), all of PMP’s net dividends that JPM receives will be donated to The Community Chest. With this structure, Da Ma Cai has effectively been transformed from a for-profit organisation into a social business, providing long term donations to The Community Chest for the benefit of the Malaysian community.