The excitement continues

Just another week to go to our Family Day outing and for the past week I had to make quite a number of phone calls. There will be 23 adults and 35 children (age ranging from 6 months to 16 years) from the PLWHA families joining us and out of these, 10 of the adults and 22 of the children are from the families under my care. Naturally I had to make the most phone calls!

Although they had informed us earlier that they’d be joining, we had to confirm again as there may be some cancellations due to whatever reasons. From our past experiences in handling the Family Day outings, there are bound to be those who cancel but never bother to tell us - which is fine if we don’t have to pay first. For this year’s outing, we are going under group package to cut down on cost, and so we have to pay in full at least 7 days before the date of the event.

When I called my PLWHA clients who are coming, they told me their children are already all excited. They have already decided on what to wear and all those stuff. I am not surprised if they have already packed their things in their bags.

Yah had already arranged for her neighbor to send her and the children to the bus station. It’s not easy getting a bus from her kampong early in the morning and if she is to wait for a bus from her place, she’d probably reach Ipoh late. Yah also told me that her younger sister, who was happy that Yah’s children are getting the chance to go for such an outing, actually bought some new clothes for the children to wear. She may not earn much herself, but she was so happy for them, she thought it was the least she could do.

When I called Zainab, although she was excited at the prospect of bringing her children for the Family Day, she had her concerns. She asked if she had to bring any money to buy food. She usually gets her pay in the middle of the month and since our Family Day is on the 5th, she’s usually broke at that time and may not be able to afford buying food at the park. Only when I assured her that everything is provided for and that she didn’t have to bring any money did she finally give an affirmative YES.

Out of all those I called, only Sha had to cancel as she and her family was moving to another house that week. Maybe she can join us during some other outings. Bashar (brother to the late Lily and the new guardian of Lily’s children) also assured me that he will bring all of Lily’s children to join the fun. Meanwhile Fuzi said she’d be taking a “teksi sapu” as there is no public transportation from her place.

Anyway, other than confirming their attendance, our calls to our clients are also to inform them of all the arrangements – where to meet and what time… what to bring… what not to bring… who’s fetching who… and all those stuff.

4 volunteers will be waiting at the bus station to fetch those from outstation who are taking the bus to come to Ipoh. Most of those who need a lift from the bus station are my clients. They know me, but they don’t know the rest of the volunteers waiting there so I will have to coordinate things there and I too will have to be the last to leave the bus station to go to the park.

Since the theme park does not allow outside food to be brought in, we had to remind the families not to bring any. They have never been to such a place before and if we don’t remind them not bring any food or drinks; they may just think it’s best to bring some of their own. And who knows, it is now rambutan and durian season…. you know…

Other than that, the theme park also has dress codes for those who intend to get themselves wet either in the pool or at the water slides. No this no that… actually in the dress code posted outside, even track bottoms are not allowed, but the nice gentleman who’s handling our package told us they are rather flexible on that. So we just told our PLWHA clients to wear something suitable. As long as they don’t jump into the pool in a sarong, it’s quite okay. They can bring in t-shirts, shorts, swim suits…bikinis…or trikinis… as long as they don’t bring zucchinis! Outside food not allowed, remember? :) And speaking of which… if I wear a track bottom, long sleeved t-shirt and a headscarf; will that be considered a trikini too? Three piece whaaat… But anyway, if they don’t intend to get wet, then they can wear whatever they want.

All the above guidelines may be something we take for granted but not for these families. Many of them never had to chance to visit such places and so if we don’t forewarn them on the do’s and don’ts, they may just be like the “rusa masuk kampong” kind… or in this case, the “ayam kampong masuk bandar” kind… (Unlike the volunteers who are more of the “ayam baru bertelur” kind – so kaypoh…)

I just hope everything will run smoothly… and most importantly, that the weather will be fine…