On the 5th of March, YSS personnel visited MRSM in Kuala Kubu Bharu as a follow-up to identify the problems and concerns of those who successfully got seats in MRSM for the year 2004. This centre is situated on a hillside. It provides a good environment to study for these brilliant young kids who enrolled their good selves just two weeks ago. We were so proud of these kids because of their strength to leave their beloveds miles away just to gain knowledge. Despite that, they just switch on from kids to teen world and they are really doing great things here. Life in MRSM is something different because at the age of 13 most of us are still spoon-fed but here they have to be independent.
We were told that around 20 Indian students were offered place in this centre, but we were somewhat disheartened because only 10 had registered so far. Anyway this was the first time so we expect the parents and also students to be more conscious about the opportunity given and in future we do hope that there will not be anybody who miss this golden chance.
When we arrived, we got a very warm welcome from Mrs. Murni, the Students Affairs Officer and the counsellor who assisted us to meet our “young future leaders.” Altogether12 of them from Form 1 & 2 attended this meeting. At first these kids were shy and afraid to voice out their views but my Head of the Department, Mr. Manikam was very friendly and somehow he managed to break the ice.
They highlighted some problems they had faced and also some interesting stories from the first two weeks. They seemed very close to each other and the form two students have taken care of their ‘freshies'. Along this discussion, we noticed that these kids were very happy to have us with them, maybe due to the conviction that they are not alone or neglected and there's somebody for them to rely on if they are facing problems.
The major issue was the financial problem among the students. Every month each student has to pay RM 30 for food and also other direct expenses like dobby, stationeries and textbooks. We had identified that 3 of the students badly need financial aid and one of this student is from a single parent family. YSS took a serious measure to overcome this matter and within one week, we managed to find some good-hearted people to bear the cost. The trio will get RM 60.00 monthly.
Second matter was the adjustment to the new environment; some of them are finding it difficult to adjust to the food and other minor problems that can be solved with the vale of giving and taking is practised. We encouraged them to visit their counsellor regularly so that the management is aware of their problems.
Lastly they mentioned their need to go to temple at least twice a month. According to the management, they have no objection to this matter if there is somebody willing to take charge of the trip and also the students. We have promised them that we will arrange local leaders to take them to a nearby temple.
It was a fruitful visit because we really enjoyed our time with our ‘ best young brains'. Hopefully they can survive in MRSM with the support of YSS and also other Indian based organisations.
Address:
Tingkat 5, Menara Manickavasagam No 1, Jalan Rahmat, 50350 Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia
Phone:
6-03-4041 5958
Fax: 6-03-4041 5681
Email:
enquiries@yss98.com
