Fun at LH Bright Sparks tea break!

On 13th September, the Bright Sparks children started learning the basic of cooking. The children learned how to prepare their own tea break. They were taught of the steps on how to make toast bread with butter and jam by the centre’s caregiver, aunty Margaret Chin. Aunty Margaret then taught the children how to cut and serve the toast bread. She also showed them how to cut the oranges as dessert.

On 19th September, another group of children learned how to cook mushroom soup for tea break. They were taught of steps on how to cook and serve the soup with bread. The children enjoyed the cooking lesson very much and they also love the soup they cooked.

On 20th September, Anna Yoon came and taught the children how to cook pancakes. 9 children came. There were from St. Joseph’s Home, Children Protection centre and 2 girls from an individual family. Firstly, Anna showed them the steps and then she let the children tried on their own. It was interesting and fun for the children and all of them enjoyed making the pancakes and having it for the tea break.

Oh, mushroom soup. My favourite!

Mmmm...It's so delicious!

I'm learning how to make pancakes!

Oh, I just love cooking!

Okay, let me show you how to do it after that you can try and do it on your own

Dell's Finance Team Outreach Programs at LH Bright Sparks

On 17th July, a group of 100 staffs from Dell came and did an outreach at The Lighthouse. They went to the Bakery, Drop-in centre and the Bright Sparks centre. They helped baked chicken pies, volunteered to cook and clean up the Drop in centre.

At Bright Sparks, Dell divided themselves into 3 groups. One group was in charge of giving computer training. One group was in charge of gardening and the other group was in charge of mural arts. There were about 20 children came that day. They are from the Noah’s Ark, Crystal Family Home and 1 child from an individual family.

The group that was in charge of giving computer training taught the children how to type a document by Microsoft Word, how to make charts by Microsoft Excel and how to make presentation by Microsoft Power Point.

The group that was in charge of the mural arts painted the wall at the back of the Bright Sparks centre with a few children. Some of the staffs from Dell even came a few days earlier to made preparation. The wall painting was very nice and fun. The children just love painting the wall.

Besides that, a group of Dell who was in charge of the gardening also did a wonderful job at the little garden in front of the centre. They sponsored 80 plants for the centre and did all the planting themselves.

The program then end at 4pm with a snack from Dell. Everyone went back with a happy and fulfilling smile on their face. It was indeed an unforgettable day for the children and the volunteers.

I like computer lesson

Gardening is so fun

I love to paint on the wall

Wow! Look at the mural arts!

Housekeeping skill training at the Traders Hotel

The Traders Hotel had conducted a training on housekeeping skills for the Bright Sparks children age 12-15 years old at the Traders Hotel on 21/6 at 3pm-5pm. 11 children participated. They were from St. Joseph's Home, Crystal Home and individual family.

The training were very beneficial to the children. They were taught how to make the bed, tidy and prepare a hotel room when a guest checks out. They also get to go for a tour in the hotel guided by Ms. Anna Yoon, the hotel's Communication Manager. The children were brought to the different departments in the hotel to learn up how the hotel functions every day.

The children were very happy that they were given the opportunity to visit the Hotel and learned up the different operational work in the hotel. It was indeed a fruitful trip for them. The trip then end with a tea sponsored by Ms. Anna.

A day at The Botanical Garden

The Traders Hotel invited some of the Bright Sparks children to Botanical Garden on 8th June 2013 in conjunction with the World Environmental Day. It was organised by the HSBC group together with the Traders Hotel. The theme is : Keep our rivers clean.

The event was an exposure and learning trip for the children. About 10 children participated. They were from the Crystal Home and Noah's Ark. In this event, the children learned about the importance of water, water supplies and how to maintain our rivers to keep it clean and clear.

The event started at about 7.30am and end about 2.00pm. There were fun and games organized by the Botanical Garden staffs for the children. Traders Hotel also provided breakfast and lunch for the children. Everyone went back with an enjoyable and unforgetable experience.

Children, please pick up the rubbish from the river

See, this is how we do to keep the river clean & clear

Okay, lets' play !

Look at the camera and smile everyone!

Singing Class at The LH Bright Sparks centre

Started singing class with the primary school children. The classes are conduct twice a month by a couple.

Initially some of the children said to the couple, "I can't sing, teacher." But, the couple were very patience with the children and committed to their volunteering work.

As time past, the children began to love and enjoy every singing sessions with the couple. Their voices have also improved. Even the visitors from Intel praises them.

Soon the children will be learning the Christmas carol to prepare them to sing at the coming Christmas party in December at The Lighthouse Drop-In Centre.

I Love Handycrafts & Beadings

The children at Bright Sparks love creativities! In the month of June 2013, we have Jelorie Peroja from the Philippines teaching 5 children from The Noah’s Ark how to make paper flowers, cross pendants, beads bracelets, beads cross key chains, paper beads bracelets and necklace, small Jewellery boxes and paper basket.

The children just can’t stop making the beads. They enjoy doing the bracelets and just can't wait to learn more handy craft work from Jelorie.

Besides, the art & craft work. The Noah’s Ark children also love to study and they are very open and motivated to learn, grow and improve themselves. They love to read, write and count. They are able to speak good English and other languages. Their favorite class at Bright Sparks is music. They will sing and dance with the volunteers in the class. The teachers really enjoy having their lessons with them.

I enjoy doing handy crafts

My beautiful piece of handy work

My creative bracelet made from paper beads

Cooking At The Garden

On 29th May, 2013 Erina Law, one of the Bright Sparks generous and helpful volunteer came with her daughter and a friend to conduct a cooking camp with the Bright Sparks boys and girls age 10 to 15. About 10 children participated. Some of them were from St. Joseph’s Home and some were from individual family. For some of the children, it was their first time in cooking a meal. It was also the first cooking camp to be held at the new Bright Sparks centre.

At this cooking camp, Erina taught the children on how to cook Western cum Asian delicacy. The menu of that day was fried Macaroni, ABC soup and mouthwatering Jelly.

The cooking camp started at 10am with Erina teaching the children step by step on how to prepare for the lunch. First of all, the children helped Erina carried the table, portable gas and some kitchen utensils to the garden at the back of the Bright Sparks. Next, she delegated the work to the children. Some of them were requested to wash the vegetables and cut it into smaller pieces. Some of them were requested to wash the utensils and prepare the table for the meal. Next, Erina taught them how to fry the macaroni. Each girl was given opportunity to fry the macaroni as Erina stand by their side and guide them.

Then, it’s time to cook the ABC soup. Erina show the children how to put in the ingredients and boil the soup. She also reminded them to watch the time to ensure the soup does not dried up.

Erina loves the children and she loves cooking for the children. She always said that, children need nutritious food and vitamins in their growing years. Therefore, she likes to prepare good and healthy food for the children.

The children had a fun and enjoyable time in the cooking class. They were not only learned how to prepare and cook for lunch. But, most importantly they learned how to come together as friends and cook a meal.

The program then ended with a delicious meal served by the children. Both Erina and the children had a wonderful time together. Some of the children said that they hope to have more cooking class with Erina and the volunteers in future. They also copy down the recipe from Erina before they go back.

On that day, all the children went back home with a smile on their face feeling happy and satisfied with their cooking!

A Trip to Tropical Spice Garden

The Tropical Spice Garden is one of the main tourist attractions in Penang that one shouldn’t miss. At the Tropical Spice Garden, visitors get to experience an enchanted paradise and South-East Asia’s one and only award-winning spice garden. Besides that, this tourist hotspot has also ranked number 2 out of the 38 top must-visit attractions in the island.
Tropical Spice Garden is actually situated in what was once an abandoned, rubber plantation along Penang's north-western shores (an eight acre valley fronting the shores of Teluk Bahang).
At Tropical Spice Garden, tourist will get to experience an enchanted paradise and South-East Asia’s one and only award-winning spice garden. Inside the garden, there is a showcase of landscaped garden that consists of tropical collection from all over the world. Hence with more than 500 varieties of tropical herbs and spices, tourist can be sure that the nature sight and sound from the Tropical Spice Garden is definitely a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city.
On 18th May 2013, Bright Sparks children were invited to the Tropical Spice Garden by The Traders Hotel. About 35 children and 12 adults visited the garden. Upon entering into the Tropical Spice Garden, we can smell the nice and natural aroma of the perfume plant that welcomes us.
There are 3 Tropical Spice Garden trails to follow such as:
• Spice Trail - Over 100 varieties of tropical spice and herbs plant
• Ornamental Trail - A huge collection of exotic flora.
• Jungle Trail - A showcase of ferns, wild orchids, palms and other significant jungle flora
We were on a guided tour organised by the Spice Garden personnel. We were brought to the garden’s trail which begins at the front office of the spice garden. The trail was a remarkable experience as we were given an opportunity to gaze around the beautiful flora and the lush nature garden. The visit indeed was magnificent as we also learned about the different spices and its benefits.
Then, the children were brought to an open space of the garden where there were a treasure hunt game prepared for the children. The children were divided into groups and they had fun running up and down of the hilly garden looking for the recycle items. Before continue with the next programs, some of the children managed to play in the small river. They deep their little foot inside the cool water and some were allowed to catch some small fishes in the river.

Next, we were lead to the playgrounds were they children had a chance to play the slides. The children were so excited with that game till they forgotten about lunch.
At about 12.45pm, we were informed that lunch has been prepared for us. So, the children stop playing the game and all of us went for lunch. The buffet lunch was delicious! On top of that, at the place where we have our lunch, there was a breathtaking ocean view that can be catch from there too! It was indeed a cool and relaxing place for both the parents, caregivers, volunteers and the children to be with one another and it also helped them to foster better relationships.
After lunch, before the children left for home separately, Anna from Traders Hotel gave each child a nice souvenir to bring home. In appreciation to Traders Hotel, 5 children from Noah’s Ark sang a few songs and dance for everyone. Though the trip can be quite tiring for some of us but the bottom line is “all of us had fun”
The event then ended with shopping at the Spice Garden gift shop. Some of us manage to buy some pretty little souvenir for ourselves before we depart.
Thank you,Traders Hotel. It was truly an unforgettable trip for all of us!

The children learned to pound the spices which can be use for cooking and medication

It's time for Treasure Hunt!

                                               

The boys not going to miss the fun in the river!

The girls too have fun in catching the fish in the river!

 

Oh, the slide games is the most exciting games 
of all!