Sex education will benefit teens

Tuesday July 13, 2010

TEENAGE pregnancies are on the rise. As of April this year, the Welfare Department had already seen 111 such cases compared to 131 cases throughout last year and 107 cases in 2008.


The dramatic increase of such cases must not be taken lightly or with a lackadaisical attitude. Political parties, parents, teachers, religious bodies, non-governmental organisations and the public must act to curb this disturbing issue immediately.


This is the reason we need to implement the character-based curriculum which includes sex education in schools, colleges, universities and other learning institutions to help young people make right choices regarding high-risk behaviour such as having sex before marriage.


I am surprised at the mentality of some politicians, parents and teachers who think that sex education will only teach youngsters to get involved in premarital sex. Why the taboo about sex education?


There are already so many embarrassing cases, including students caught on camera performing sexual acts in schools which were uploaded on social networking websites such as YouTube and Facebook.


Are we going to wait for more explosions of immoral activities; unwanted pregnancies that lead to abortion cases or more babies being abandoned plus an increase in single-parent families, in addition to the rising statistics of sexually transmitted diseases? Think about it. We have to act fast.


As parents to three children aged between three and 10 years old, we have been educating them about self respect, moral values and self-protection which include sex education.


As facilitators for character-building programmes, especially the “No Apologies” — abstinence until marriage programme by Focus on the Family Malaysia, we also help to educate youngsters, including students, on the dangers of premarital sex and its consequences.


There are ways to help youngsters curb this problem.


They must inform their parents of their whereabouts and follow the time or guidelines set by their parents. They must avoid overstaying in friends’ houses or being involved in late night activities.


They must also know their boundaries when mingling with old or new friends of the opposite sex.


For counselling, they should talk to their parents or a trustworthy adult of the same sex like a teacher or professional counsellor.


They should read good books and articles or surf the Internet to get information on the dangers of premarital sex and its consequences.


They should also attend character-building, moral uplifting and sex education programmes.


Be knowledgeable so that you will not fall into any plot or trap.


To protect yourself from being a victim of abuse, attend self-defence classes.


Also join outdoor activities, uniform bodies or take up music classes to occupy your time and stay away from bad hats.


Finally, make an abstinence oath (not having sex before marriage) and attend spiritual or religious activities. Get involved in community work by joining NGOs such as the public service or welfare societies or clubs.

KUMARATHEVAN-JOSEPHINE

Perfect lesson:

United Animals Kingdom (UAK)

The cat excused herself while the dogs, chickens and goats had their peace talk recently.

What a privilege to see animals living in harmony.  

Unity can be learned from animals too.

Picture was taken at orang asli village in Gua Musang, Kelantan. - B.Kumarathevan 

Ultra protection

On guard

With his super-powers, Man Ultra zapped away the intruder and put it where it belongs...

by Josephine Kumar

Published in The Star Thumbnails on

6-May-2010

"This kindergarten in Penang doesn’t have to worry about their safety. Ultraman will protect them from any intruder".

Malaysian teamwork

Let’s give the car a 1Malaysia push.

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Published in The Star Thumbnails.

*A group of onlookers gave a helping hand to push the overturned car back to its wheels. Fortunately, a lady driver and a passenger escaped unhurt in the mishap that took place in Gua Musang, Kelantan, recently.

10 ways to promote 1 Malaysia

History speaks louder than just words. We should learn from our forefathers the ways to leave in harmony. The lifestyle of our nation in the past has showed us how the community of the days of old lived together in tolerance and high respect for different races, cultures and religion despite some minor hiccups. It is shameful if we fail to continue to embrace the uniqueness of Malaysia.

Ten simple ways that can help promote 1 Malaysia concept to foster greater unity among multi-ethnic Malaysians:

1)      Parents show good examples by giving due respect to neighbors, colleagues, friends or even strangers of various races.

2)      Adults should not speak negatively about other races or religions openly.

3)      Stop calling names such as “keling” etc towards people of different races.

4)      Children must be encouraged to mingle and play together without looking at the differences. No partiality should be practiced.

5)      Teachers must play a greater role by motivating students and cultivate an attitude to appreciate different cultures.

6)      Government agencies must organize more events to promote greater unity. Don’t wait for festival seasons or elections.

7)      Non Governmental Organization’s including associations, clubs and societies should work together with multi national companies or small and medium industries to organize sports events, seminars and camps that includes all races.

8)      Education Ministry must consider revoking the quota system and allow equality and positive challenges in the education system.

9)      Religious leaders who supposedly to be pious and God fearing should practice high tolerance and always work towards solving the differences in opinions in a friendly and conducive environment.

10)  Politicians and law makers must be wise in giving statements or when making decisions concerning issues related to multi-racial society.

My hope and prayer is that Malaysia will continue to live in love, peace and harmony.

Salam 1 Malaysia!


published in http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2010%2F5%2F20%2Ffocus%2F6295809&sec=focus

A THOUGHTFUL JOURNEY

One fine day I was walking by the streets

Making music in my heart

and giving thanks to the Creator

who was watching over me

As I pass by a little junction

the music in my heart quiets down

then I saw a young boy

whose eyes were filled with tears

approaching me for a drop of coin

and a gulp of water

I paused for a moment

and started thinking and said to myself

how fortunate I am compared to this little one

I do not need to beg for food and money

because there is somebody who cares for me …….

Thank God, Oh! I thank my God for that person

Little while later

as I continued my journey with my head bowed down

suddenly the loud sound of police  and ambulance siren

captured my attention

I started running towards those red lights

that was turning round and round

on the top of those vehicles

Some three dozen of people were rushing here and there

looking at something on the ground at a bushy area,

when I went closer to the spot, I was heart broken

and tears were rolling down my eyes

my heart melted like wax

and I asked myself: "Why this evil incident must happen?"

when I saw the body of a new born baby full of maggots

thrown away by its own flesh and blood,

What sin has this infant done?

Humans give birth and they are the ones who kill the child without mercy

As I wiped away my tears

I looked up at the sky

saying: God, thank you for the one you prepared

to give birth to me for I was not been neglected

but rather received cuddle and kisses

that keeps me go on my journey called 'life'.

Day was getting darker

as I was walking back home with deep thoughts,

from my neighborhood I heard a voice

of a little girl crying

and pleading for mercy to her parent

not to hurt her anymore for she can't bear it any longer

‘Oh! not again,’ I told myself  and before I could  reach their doorstep,

the little girl with wounds covering her body

and with blue black eyes….ran out of the house

to find refuge when she couldn’t tolerate the torture

My mind was crumpled

and questions that rose up in my mind

kept pinching my broken heart

but when I looked at the photo of my mother

which I kept in my wallet

my gloomy face turned to glow

when I thought of her goodness and love

Mother, I thank you for what you’ve done in my life,

you could have abandoned me…….but you didn’t

you could have abused me….

but you’ve not even thought of it

you cared for me, loved me

and showed me the way of life and love in the LORD.

I will always thank my God for you

and never put you away from the frame of my prayer;

Please forgive me if I’ve ever hurt or sinned against you,

Mother…I love you.

(A special dedication to all mothers)

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!!

By: Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

KJ Generation Resources Newsletter 3

A team of nine young adults from United States created a stimulating learning environment in just a few moments and gave a perspective that English is easy to learn to the local students in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

The students who are anxious to learn and upgrade themselves in communicative skills in English speaking was so joyful and enjoyed themselves in their respective classes which is according to their age groups.

There were glee and great expectations in the faces of those students. For most of them, this was their first time encountering a native English speaker communicating with them.

The trainers use creative approach to teach English to the students of different races and backgrounds at KJ Generation Resources (KJGR), recently.

KJGR is a community centre that focuses on conversational English and character building programme for all ages.

Those who attended the classes comprise of Malay, Chinese, Indian and Indigenous (Orang Asli) pupils, were happy and enjoying themselves as they were learning the international language.

Besides the friendly approach used by the trainers, the other things that caught the students’ attention was the skit done by them to help the students to hear and understand how native English speakers communicate.

The students who were later asked questions based on the skit also had the privilege to play various educational and word games including using alphabetical letter tiles to form vocabulary.

At the end of the programme, most of the students were enthusiastic to practice to speak in English with those foreign trainers.

End

          Trainers and some of the students are discussing about an educational game they are about to play.

             A student is finding a synonym to a particular word while his peers and the trainers look on.

                               Students and trainers playing a game using the alphabetical letter tiles.

            

Attitude like rubbish

  Recently, my brother and I went to repair my car at a workshop in Pusat Bandar Utara, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur near Pasar Borong Selayang Baru. I got a shock of my life when we entered that residential cum semi industrial area.

 

  My first question was: “Don’t they know where to throw their rubbish?”  To me it looks like the residents there have a bad attitude towards cleanliness and do not care about people’s health. 

  It is disgusting. I can’t imagine how the people there can put up with the stinking smell. It’s truly an eyesore.   

  According to a Malaysian shop owner there, for couple of years especially since the immigrant workers occupied these residential area they have turned most of the roadsides into a dumping ground.

  He said, residents have been putting up with maggots and flies that enter their homes and shops.

 As I went around that area, I saw some residents simply getting rid of their domestic and industrial waste wherever possible.   

  These shows how bad are the attitude of some people towards cleanliness. Hope the relevant authorities will take swift action before it causes other health related problems. 

  I also hope that this place will not turn into another dumpsite like the one along Kampung Retnam Pillay, Kuala Lumpur .

 Few days ago, The Star highlighted that the students of Chung Hwa Independent School and SK Sentul are greeted by flies and filth each time they walk to school along Kampung Retnam Pillay.

  The area in the village that is under a highway is the latest illegal dumping ground for people getting rid of their industrial and domestic waste. The pile has also extended to an empty plot of private land.

   I suggest that the government should soon launch a campaign with a slogan like: “Keep our country clean.” I believe, this will curb the rising dumping woes in our nation.

Posted on Star Citizen's Blog on Thursday, March 04, 2010

Comments

All it takes in any residential area are a few scumbags (usually low social standards immigrants)to filthy up a good neighbourhood and then you will see local scumbags joining them as it they are ia a pesta of rubbish throwing! Slogans and campaign may have a small effect because these scumbags don't really read anything you put up! The only way is to send in plain-clothes officers with hidden cameras and film all these scumbags throwing rubbish everywhere and then print out the photos and start to identify and arrest them for rubbish clearing punishment on Sundays! Once the see the filth in their hands and smell the disgusting smell of what they throw around, maybe they will learn!

By victorchew46, 4-Mar-2010

With the peoples'horrific attitude towards cleanliness, the Government should indeed launch a campaign with a slogan 'Keep our country dirty'. This I believe is also in line with the Government's dirty policy!

By darren5261, 4-Mar-2010

Slogans will not help us. The Gomen MUST do the RIGHT thing. All they ever do is SIT on their behind and wait for $$$ to fall on their lap. Go to any Gomen dept, sit down and observe what the public servants do, and you will come away, with disgust. Stop to look at those doing repair works for TNB, Jabatan AIR and so on, you will realise, Malaysians have a peculiar way of doing things. If work requires that 2 persons is sufficient, they will send 10, if not more to attend to it. So you may ask, how many technicians do they send, to change a light bulb? LOL.... you'll be surprised. That is why, the present Fed Gomen have to "FEED" such a BIG NUMBER of their "orang kita", with our tax $$$. (^_^)

By pierrelewis, 4-Mar-2010

kumarathevan, We can say the slogan in many places, KEEP our country clean. Shouting in front of police station, yelling in front of parliamentary building and everywhere, this slogan fits into very well. Selayang whole sale market and it surroundings are always filthy and smelly ever since I have known the place as old pasar borong and the new as well. Whose responsibility is to collect the rubbish whether it can be from household perishable, non perishable heavy items, garden waste and industrial waste? If we have to collect, pack and sent these to the dumpsters, why should we pay tax to the authorities? MPS building is not very far from this location. The relevant authorities also go for marketing in the same place which is not maintained regularly. Why do our wet markets look very dirty? Again whom should be blamed? Has The rubbish to be collected once every two days, if it is necessary dispose the rubbish once or twice a day to keep the place not only clean, but also prevent the wet items to decay in the market and the roadside. The conditions undervalued prestigious shop units, even few banks had vacated from this area and leave the upper units of these shop units to be rented out cheaply to the foreign workers. Building and having everything big, tall, technologically advanced and expensive is not important, but how do we maintain to have these facilities usable, intact and problem free is more important. Shall we send our civil servants and politicians to some crash course to educate them?

By lakshmiregu, 4-Mar-2010

Brother lakshmiregu, don't waste more public funds by sending our civil servants an dpoliticians to some crash courses to educate them lah! They cannot be further educated already! Cources are holidays for them where they are given top class accommodation and 5 to 6 meals a day. After a week they put on 10 Kg and work slower in the office! If you can find me 60% of the civil servants in any particular office that's not overweight, I give you a treat!

By victorchew46, 4-Mar-2010

I just hope the Selangor MBSA can read this, the back lane(public) at jalan 31/59 in Kota Kemuning Is piled up with rubbish thrown by those Bangladeshi workers at one of the factory. I once approached them and asked if they are the culprits and they just smile and answered 'YES'. To say that I was find( it took a group of 12 personnel to come into my factory to look for that offence I made) for a small piece of plastic behind my own factory compound is a million times less then what is found out there on the road!

By higs, 4-Mar-2010

In my neighbourhood at Century Gardens, a group of health fanatics come in the mornings from all over Johor Bahru to do TaiChee; they clean by sweeping their courts then dumping all the rubbish by the roadside. I confess if i know, where the said leader is staying, i'll employ and supervise someone to discard a lorry load of rubbish infront of his house - it a good deed deserves another. i am ashamed of myself that most of us, Malaysian Chinese do not care for the comfort of our fellow countrymen.

By stupidoldman, 4-Mar-2010

how to get the message thru? how to ask 'rubbish-in-the-form-of-humans' to take care of rubbish? might as well think of a way to throw out those 'walking rubbish' first.

By woody_invincible, 4-Mar-2010

Un-beetle-ble

When beetles fight these battles in a bottle with their paddles and the bottle’s on a poodle and the poodle’s eating noodles... ...they call this muddle a puddle poodle beetle noodle bottle paddle battles. — Dr Seuss

Published in the Star thumbnails on Saturday, 27-February-2010


by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan


(A young man found a new pet - Goliath beetle in Cameron Highlands.)

High and dry

Lucky for Atan it’s casual Thursday at the office – he had just done his weekly laundry last night.

by K. Judith Kavithra (published in Star thumbnails on 25.2.10)

"Go get the pants down before it rains".- Kumar

Invaluable lesson

Mother hen here decided that it was time to explain to her charge the most important question in life: Why did the chicken cross the road?  
by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan
Published in The Star Thumbnails on Tuesday, 2-February-2010

(Chicken crossing a road in Gua Musang, Kelantan)

Quote: “Take one step at a time and you will reach your destination safe and sound.” 

  KJ GENERATION RESOURCES NEWSLETTER-2

21 February 2010

  Young Malaysians of different races are reading a book together at our mini library in Gua Musang, Kelantan.

  Dear friends; Our heartiest greetings to you and your families.

  Since we began our social concern work in Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia, beginning May last year (2009), we have been busy making connections with the locals through Character Building Program and English Conversational Classes for all ages.

  Up to now, we have 16 students including an adult in our training center. We have all the races attending our classes.

  In the near future, we hope to see more students of all races including the Orang Asli joining our classes. We are also raising funds to help or subsidies needy students.

  As you can see in the above picture, part of our effort is to encourage greater unity among different races who attend our classes.

  We truly believe that unity need to be built from the very young. We have taken the challenge to encourage our students to speak in English as well as work together in unity.

With love & regards:

B.Kumarathevan - S.Josephine

KJ Generation Resources 

Gua Musang, Kelantan, Malaysia.

LOVE STORY- Happy Valentine

FAMOUS or FAME-LESS

Let me share with you a tale of two persons,

‘Mr. Famous’ and ‘Mr. Fame-less’.

Mr. Famous always have many followers while

Mr. Fame-less often follows someone.

 Famous could make a blunder and calls it: “It’s just a small mistake,” while Fame-less attempts to correct a silly mistake and it can turn out to be a laughing stock.

Famous often gets priority while Fame-less sometimes treated cruelly. Famous may say something nasty and later turns around and say: “Oh! It was just a slip of tongue.” Well, Fame-less could voice out his rights but he could be slammed with a warning: “Watch your tongue!”

Anyway, the morale of the story is,

Mr. Famous may not be always right and

Mr. Fame-less is not always wrong.

Whether you are famous or fame-less, that doesn’t matter.

What matters most is, will you be a honorable person

by standing tall in righteousness and condemning all injustice?

The end.

Kumar.B

U.N.I.T.Y is achievable

Let us train our young Malaysians to show:
Unconditional love,
No partiality,
Interdependent,
Trust one another and
Yearn to live in peace. 

Salam 1 Malaysia!          

Over-lah!

Oh My Gosh

Overload, over speed, overturn.

by Kumarathevan Balakrishnan

Friday, 29-January-2010 on Star Thumbnails

 (The driver managed to avoid ramming into a lorry but he was not skillful enough to keep his trailer from overturning at a junction in Gua Musang, Kelantan, recently. He escaped with minor injuries.)

Who is strong??

Do not judge someone’s strength by their outward appearance.
Strength is what they are in the inside and not how they look in the outside.
Stay strong! - Kumar

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

 As a loyal citizen of this country, I would strongly urge the perpetrators and those masterminds behind the several attacks on religious places in our country, to immediately stop their nasty and demonic actions.

The latest incident of the dumping of severed heads of wild boars at two mosques in Petaling Jaya is truly disgusting, shameful and should be condemned in the highest manner.  

This evildoers are simply hurting the feelings of the peaceful citizens and trying their level best to create disunity and chaos in our nation.

I regard this as an act of terrorism that should be curbed immediately before it could stir the racial fire. This blatant action of irresponsibility and disrespect shown to the multi-cultural people of various religious backgrounds is intolerable.

“Repent and stop provoking the peace loving Malaysians! Your evil ambitions and attempts will come to nothing because the country has a tract record of peace and harmony for more than 50 years even though there were incidents long ago and some minor hiccups here and there.”

I call upon my fellow citizens to stand united and stay calm. However, with all your heart and mind reject the work of the enemy of peace within our country by promoting love and tolerance in your own respectable way.

We have to stop pointing fingers to one another despite of the fact whether we are a member of a political party or a normal citizen. Think for a moment about your family and the future of this country.

We need to work hand in a hand with one another and trust God to maintain peace and harmony in the country, so that our next generation will continue to enjoy peaceful life. 

Blessed are those who pray for the peace of his or her country. 

“In this life we cannot always do great things. We can only do small things with great love.” - Mother Teresa.

Posted by: kumarathevan 

Published in Star online Citizen Blog on Friday, January 29, 2010

 

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Comments

Yeah. This is the time to use the ISA! Threat to national peace.

By peteronghl, 29-Jan-2010 

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Yes kumarathevan,

Enough is enough. It is never ending for quite sometime, one after another like these incidents have been preplanned to provoke various races and religious people.

Malaysians are 52 years old democrats and do not they think that Malaysians are matured enough to decide what is good and bad.

Stop all these non sense deeds immediately.

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By lakshmiregu, 29-Jan-2010

No peter, the ISA is not the solution. It is never a solution. You should not support laws that circumnavigate the proper judicial process.
Innocent until proven guilty does not apply with preventative detention, it is simply a law that makes problems dissappear for those who wield it.

By engleberthumpadink, 29-Jan-2010 

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