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Dewan Tunku of Kelab Golf Negara Subang was filled with touching tributes and tears of gratitude for 25 professionals and 27 children when they were celebrated after participating in a mentoring programme, entitled Footprints on 14 May 2010.
The six-month programme was organised by the Vijayaratnam Foundation, which matched the children aged between nine and twelve from two orphanages, Ti-Ratana Welfare Society and Agathians Shelter, with employees of the QI Group of Companies and Independent Representatives of QuestNet Malaysia. The programme is sponsored by QuestNet Malaysia.
The children, from two orphanages in the Klang Valley shared how the Footprints mentoring programme had touched their lives and helped them to believe in their ability to achieve their dreams. They performed for their mentors and other guests at the Footprints Testimonial Night held to commemorate the culmination of the programme.
“Research has shown that children who have a mentor tend to show improvement in their school performance, have better social skills and are more resilient to drug and alcohol abuse. These children, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, have had few good role models in their lives, and we hope this mentoring programme will give them the confidence and skills they need to deal with life’s challenges, find the right path in life and realise their dreams,” said Datin Umayal Eswaran, Chairperson of Vijayaratnam Foundation, who was present at the event.
The highlight of the event was the testimonials segment where Mentors gave their experiences and shared their journey of the programme in the last six months. It was a touching moment as the Mentors spoke from their hearts.
The event continued with the certificate giving ceremony by Dato’ Vijay Eswaran, Executive Chairman of the QI Group _ and Datin Umayal Eswaran, followed by the award ceremony to appreciate the hard work and determination showed by outstanding Mentors.
The five awards were the Most Enthusiastic Mentor which was won by Miss Parmeet; Most Promising Mentor which were won by Miss Lina Kik and Miss Nurulaisah. The Second Runner-up for the Best Mentor was won by Miss Veni Kandiah and the First Runner-up went to Mr. Vincent Goh. The Champion for the Best Mentor award for the 2009/2010 session was won by Miss Punitha Narayanan for an outstanding _performance in her role as a mentor.
“There was many a time in my own life when a word of wisdom or a kindly hand directed me back to my path when I strayed. We all need these. The Footprints programme is essentially aimed at providing that to all these children, who have been left by the wayside. In essence if it were not called Footprints, it would be called Guiding Light, for that is essentially what these mentors are to the children. I congratulate Vijayaratnam Foundation in putting together this programme, “said Dato’ Vijay Eswaran.
The Footprints programme kicked off in October 2009 with a training session for the mentors conducted by the Achievers Platform at QuestNet Malaysia headquarters in Petaling Jaya. Subsequently, the mentors were paired with the children, whom they met twice a month for personal mentoring sessions. The mentors also accompanied the children on several activities organised by the foundation. These included a visit to the zoo and the Disney on Ice at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, as well as a pottery class and cricket clinic. |
