Mr James Raj : YSS Community Development Officer (Perak)

I’m most delighted to write again on this theme as it encourages me a lot simply because I can see and hear, how the work of YSS had made an impact in the lives of people whom I’m working with. People can be divided into three groups; those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what’s happening. We at YSS are those who make things happen and it’s clearly seen from the testimonies of our service users that they in turn become active agents of change.

Balakrishnan has been an active volunteer since he was introduced to YSS a year ago. He is 17 years old and he is in form 5. “ I’m most grateful to YSS for the encouragement and motivation I always get when I attend their programs” says Bala. “Previously I used to wander around without proper guidance and goal setting in my life, today I want to be somebody in my life, I want to help many people and I want to continue to serve the community through YSS” continued Bala. Bala aims to get good results in his SPM and determines to put a lot of effort to achieve his dreams. He believes in this quote that he picked from YSS; success is achieved by ordinary people with extraordinary determination.

Tamilchelvi is another active youth who join the YSS volunteer team last year. At first she was very shy and always hid her self behind the curtain, this due to her low self image. “ I used to shy away when I'm given any responsibility that requires me to speak in front of people,” says Chelvi. “ After sometime, I began to realize that within me I’ve got a lot of abilities and strength that of valuable use to bring a change in my society. I’ m glad to be with YSS and they have indeed helped me to discover my hidden abilities and now I no longer shy and afraid to speak and coordinate any responsibilities given to me”, added Chelvi with a big satisfactory smile.

Sathiapriyan is a school drop out. He dropped out of school when he was in Std 4. He is now 12 years old. He has been referred to me to place him in a Children’s home where he would be able to learn discipline and shown love and care. Both his parents passed away. He stayed with his uncle, but his uncle and aunty could no longer look after him. According to his uncle and his former school headmaster, he is known for his mischief, indiscipline and bad behaviour. We managed to secure a home in Ipoh that looks after children, youths and the elderly.

A few days later after his admission into the home, he ran away and thank God the home management staff was able to locate him and brought him back to the home.

Now it has been 4 months and I’m surprised to witness the changes taken place in him, I had the opportunity to speak to him and gave him some advice and the boy was bright and diligently listened every word said to him “I regretted my mistakes and I want to be a good boy and I will not bully anybody”. “I like to stay in this home and the aunty here is arranging me to go back to school again, I want to study hard and become an engineer”, says Sathia with a lot of confidence. Ms. Carol said that Sathia’s behavior is slowly changing and he has been given the responsibility to look after boys who are younger to him, teaching him to be a good leader and role modal. “ I have three brothers and I take care of them, aunty said I should be a good brother”, says Sathia proudly. Now Sathia is also an agent of change in his own way, this is something for you to ponder and act; The best rose bush is not the one with the fewest thorns, but that which bears finest roses.

(Submitted on 7th April 2003)