Bright Sparks: May 2013

Computer Training by Traders Hotel

According to Wikipedia, Computer literacy is defined as the knowledge and ability to use computers and related technology efficiently, with a range of skills covering levels from elementary to programming and advanced problem solving. Computer literacy can also refer to the comfort level someone has with using computer programs and other applications that are associated with computers. Another valuable component of computer literacy is knows how computers work and operate. Hence having basic computer skills is a significant asset in the developed countries.

On 19th April 2013, Anna brought a computer specialist Bro. Hong from Traders Hotel to Bright Sparks to give a computer training to the secondary school children age 13 & 15. The training was held from 3pm - 4.15pm. A total of 9 secondary school children participated. They were from St. Joseph’s Home, Children Protection Society and individual family.

For this training, the children were taught on how to prepare a presentation by operating Microsoft Power Point. It is a very beneficial training program to the children as they can now operate Microsoft Power Point for their school assignment. While learning this useful tool, the children too have an opportunity to enjoy the work of their own creativities at the same time.

I like computer lesson!

Earth Hour at Traders Hotel

On 23rd March 2013 at 8.30pm – 9.30pm, hundreds of millions of people around the world switched off their lights for one hour to display a commitment to protect the one thing that unites all of us – OUR PLANET EARTH

The environment issues facing our planet often seem overwhelming. Earth Hour gives people at everywhere a hope. Uniting behind a common purpose demonstrates that we can make a meaningful difference.

Earth Hour is a worldwide event which was organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and was held towards the end of March annually, encouraging households and businesses to switch off their non-essential lights for an hour to raise awareness about the need to take action on climate change and to show concern for our environment. The event, conceived by WWF and Leo Burnett, first took place in 2007, when 2.2 million residents of Sydney participated by turning off all non-essential lights. Following Sydney’s lead, many cities around the world have also adopted the event in 2008.

Today Earth Hour has managed to inspire a global community of millions of people in 7,001 cities and towns across 152 countries and territories to join in this event to show a massive concern for our planet earth.

There is no doubt that the world is facing some of the most critical environmental challenges in its history that may make the journey to a sustainable future seem difficult. But there is still hope in saving our planet earth and the change have to come from each and every one of us. Hence let us work together to make a difference collectively.

In Penang, the Earth Hour was observed at several places. One of the places was at The Traders Hotel. On that day, the children of Bright Sparks were invited to be a part of this remarkable event at the Traders Hotel. A total of 15 children participated. They were from St. Joseph’s Home and individual families.

The event started off with a buffet dinner at about 7.00pm. Follow by switching off the lights at 8.30pm – 9.30pm. During the one hour, the children were brief on what is Earth Hour is all about.

Next, there was the lighting and cutting of the Earth Hour cake ceremony. The chef of Traders Hotel has intelligently bakes the cake that looks exactly like our planet earth. The children were amaze with the chef creativity!

At 9.30pm, all of us were gathered together for a group photograph before all the children were sent back safely to their homes.

That night was such a meaningful night to the children as they not only have the opportunity to dine finely in Traders Hotel but also learned about the Earth Hour too!

Mmmm...delicious food!

Wow, look at the Earth Hour cake! So nice!

I love the cake! It's so yummy!

Fun & Games by City Parish Mandarin Youth

According to Wikipedia, fun is the enjoyment of pleasure, particularly in leisure activities and a game is structured playing, usually undertaken for enjoyment and sometimes used as an educational tool.

Like most children, besides focus on studies, Bright Sparks children love to sing and have fun & games too!

During the recent school holidays, a group of City Parish Mandarin Youth came to Bright Sparks on 28th March, 2013 to organize a fun & games session for 15 Bright Sparks children age 10-11.

This is the Mandarin Youth very first time outreached to Bright Sparks Centre. The event started at 10am with the youths teaching the children some songs and simple dance step.

Next, there were lines up of games for the children who were well planned and arranged by the youths. The youths not only managed to encourage all the children to participate in the games. There were also good interaction between the youths and the children. All the youths and children had an enjoyable and exciting time spent together.

The program then ended with a snack sponsored by the youths. It was indeed a very happy and great event for the children. Some of the children said that they look forward for more such activity with the youths in future.

Wow...singing & dancing is so fun!

We from the Bright Sparks were very pleased with the effort and time the youth put in to organize this event for us. We would like to convey our heartfelt thanks again to Jerome and his mandarin youth team from the City Parish. Bravo to all of you!

Getting to know you! I like this game!

Art & Craft Classes at Bright Sparks

According to Wikipedia, "What Is Art?" is an essay by Leo Tolstoy in which he defines art in terms of good, truth, and especially beautiful.

Tolstoy felt art must create a specific emotional link between the piece and its audience, one that "affects" the viewer. Thus, real art requires the capacity to unite people via communication (clearness and genuineness are therefore crucial values). This aesthetic conception led Tolstoy to
widen the criteria of what exactly a work of art is. He believed that the concept of art embraces any human activity in which one emitter, by means of external signs, transmits previously experienced feelings.

As for handicraft, sometimes more precisely expressed as artisanal handicraft, is any of a wide variety of types of work where useful and decorative objects are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft, and applies to a wide range of creative and design activities that are related to making things with one's hands and skill, including work with textiles, moldable and rigid materials, paper, plant fibers, etc.

The children at Bright Sparks love art & craft too. We started some art and craft classes like Tanglung making using mineral bottles, colouring with crayon and colour pencils. Then in March 2013, we have Mary Magdalene from La Salle Learning Centre volunteered to teach the children on how to use paints creatively, she also taught them how to do paper cutting, print art, straw puppet and Origami.

We also have other art classes such as batik painting by teacher Maria, finger paintings by teacher Anne, clay art by teacher Maria, teacher Mary Magdalene and Margaret and pendant making with beads by Jelorie Peroja from the Philippines.