Another awesome CSR initiative and this time it is in Malaysia, at a small kindergarten called Tadika Permata Scientex located in no. 49 Jalan Bacang 19, Taman Kota Masai, 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor. This preschool is a little different from other kindergartens as it enrolls children with autism spectrum disorder from the age of 4 years old.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that affects how people interact with others, learn and behave. The symptoms generally appear in the early years of life. ASD is not an illness. We can also see it from a different perspective that the brain thinks in a different way. Autistic children find bright lights or loud noises overwhelming and traumatic. They will get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events.
In Tadika Permata Scientex, they adopted a one-to-one teaching methodology. In a one-on-one setting, there are less distractions and allow students to maintain heightened focus and attention in class. During this “personalized time”, teachers can provide differentiated lessons based on the individual student’s specific needs for reading, writing and calculating. Whether in-or-out of classroom, we want to build their self-confidence and interest in learning.
Every small celebration is worth celebrating. The 14th of July CSR program is a first for AARSB Malaysia. On that Sunday, 7 bubbly AARSB representatives (from HR, workshop and operations) joined hands with 95 students and 7 kindergarten teachers in a planting activity of 100 plants, containing vegetable, herb and flower species, to build a fairy garden in the kindergarten.
The initial worry that weighted on AARSB team on the autistic children’s reaction to strangers is quickly rinsed off with cheerfulness and enthusiasm from an equally cheerful and lively AARSB team. (If you may agree with me) Children are the plants; and we are the gardeners. Seeding the plants, growing plants and keeping them alive can provide the children (and our AARSB team) a sense of self-esteem and accomplishment.
Fairy gardens symbolize the harmony between us and the marvels of nature, and gardening is a calming after-school activity. I have taken the bold liberty to name this new garden the Garden of Hope on behalf of AARSB and Tadika Permata Scientex. The root beliefs of Garden of Hope, which is inspired by the good efforts of AARSB, are imagination, commitment, responsibility, cooperation and hope. Playing with dirt itself is therapeutic but is a neglected activity in our busy urban everyday lives. Have you gotten your hands dirty lately?
