Highlight a place to call home - BorneoTalk Official Website
Highlight a place to call home - BorneoTalk Official Website
Highlight a place to call home - BorneoTalk Official Website
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Soul City<br />
young people <strong>to</strong> be more involved in<br />
social and charity work.<br />
“It is so important that we<br />
encourage our children <strong>to</strong> take an<br />
interest in charity or social work from<br />
an early age. It not only benefits<br />
which ever worthy cause they take<br />
on but I believe that it can also play<br />
a big role in boosting their own<br />
personal development,” she said.<br />
“These days most youngsters are<br />
reliant on things <strong>to</strong> be done for<br />
them. They are not as self sufficient<br />
as when we were their age. Many<br />
families have helpers who do many<br />
of the daily household chores and<br />
therefore, kids become dependent<br />
on them, even <strong>to</strong> do simple task<br />
like washing their school shoes for<br />
example.”<br />
“As parents we are busy with our jobs<br />
so we also depend on our helpers<br />
<strong>to</strong> manage the <strong>home</strong>. Therefore,<br />
as parents we have <strong>to</strong> teach our<br />
children <strong>to</strong> be self-sufficient. At the<br />
same time, it is crucial <strong>to</strong> moni<strong>to</strong>r<br />
their movements and <strong>to</strong> be aware of<br />
certain dangers out there.”<br />
As patron of several NGOs, Toh Puan<br />
feels that it is her duty <strong>to</strong> be involved<br />
as much as she can.<br />
Not wanting <strong>to</strong> be a ‘patron tidur’<br />
(sleeping patron) she emphasizes that<br />
she wants <strong>to</strong> be able <strong>to</strong> concentrate<br />
on the NGOs that she is involved in<br />
and makes sure that she is briefed on<br />
their calendar of events.<br />
“I want <strong>to</strong> be aware of what’s<br />
happening, big or small, I try <strong>to</strong><br />
attend as many events as I can<br />
<strong>to</strong> give moral support and at<br />
the same time share my views <strong>to</strong><br />
ensure its effectiveness in <strong>to</strong>day’s<br />
climate for the betterment of<br />
our people. I want <strong>to</strong> encourage<br />
the younger generation <strong>to</strong> join<br />
NGOs that interest them. It is<br />
good <strong>to</strong> have something <strong>to</strong> be<br />
passionate about. It gives you a<br />
sense of purpose and giving back <strong>to</strong><br />
society. It is even more satisfying <strong>to</strong><br />
see, when its implementation has<br />
worked <strong>to</strong>wards the progress and<br />
sustainability of any individuals. I get<br />
myself <strong>to</strong>tally involved in moni<strong>to</strong>ring<br />
the results, <strong>to</strong>o.“<br />
On the subject of rural women,<br />
Toh Puan believes that NGOs<br />
like the Sarawak Federation of<br />
Women’s Institute (SFWI) has done<br />
a lot <strong>to</strong> empower rural women, <strong>to</strong><br />
encourage them <strong>to</strong> progress, <strong>to</strong><br />
become leaders, entrepreneurs or<br />
simply be part of a capable work<br />
force in the community.<br />
Toh Puan, who is patron of SFWI, has<br />
been a member of the NGO since<br />
she was 14 years old. She re<strong>call</strong>s<br />
back then they did a lot of cooking<br />
but were also involved in helping<br />
during political campaigns. Although<br />
there are many NGOs nowadays,<br />
she said they are all aiming <strong>to</strong>wards<br />
the same direction which is <strong>to</strong><br />
empower not only women in the<br />
rural areas but also encouraging the<br />
young people <strong>to</strong> be more involved in<br />
community work.<br />
“Women <strong>to</strong>day are lucky. There are<br />
many opportunities out there for<br />
them <strong>to</strong> progress and I hope they<br />
grab the chance <strong>to</strong> do so. Many<br />
years ago, women were considered<br />
second-class citizens, which is still<br />
true in most countries. If you don’t<br />
go <strong>to</strong> school then you stay <strong>home</strong> and<br />
get married.”<br />
“That was the mentality back then.<br />
Women were expected <strong>to</strong> be in the<br />
<strong>home</strong>. Today things have changed.<br />
We see so many women who are<br />
highly educated and have become<br />
leaders in their field. Even so, we as<br />
society must remember <strong>to</strong> balance<br />
our family and work life.”<br />
Besides SFWI, Toh Puan is also<br />
very involved in the Girl Guides<br />
Movement of which she is also<br />
patron.<br />
“I was in the Girls Guides. I am very<br />
excited <strong>to</strong> see our new headquarters,<br />
which should be completed soon. I<br />
am also happy <strong>to</strong> see the SFWI’s new<br />
building progressing well. It should<br />
be completed soon also.”<br />
Many would know that one subject<br />
that is very close <strong>to</strong> Toh Puan’s heart<br />
is the Children’s Orphanage Home<br />
(Lembaga Pelawat Rumah Kanak<br />
Kanak Kuching) where she has been<br />
involved for many years and have<br />
given invaluable contribution.<br />
“Many of the children who are<br />
there are either abandoned or<br />
abused. I feel that they also deserve<br />
a chance <strong>to</strong> be loved and <strong>to</strong> have<br />
the same opportunities as other<br />
children.”<br />
“Some are adopted by families.<br />
However, the process of adoption is<br />
very strenuous as potential parents<br />
are screened before a decision is<br />
made. This is important as these<br />
children are vulnerable, so placing<br />
them with the right family is of<br />
utmost importance.”<br />
According <strong>to</strong> Toh Puan, the<br />
government run orphanage is <strong>home</strong><br />
<strong>to</strong> orphans until they are 18 years<br />
old.<br />
“Every child deserves a chance.<br />
As a caring society, we must work<br />
<strong>to</strong>gether <strong>to</strong> bring hope and healing<br />
<strong>to</strong> these children, many who have<br />
been through difficult times. I urge<br />
everyone <strong>to</strong> open their hearts, either<br />
as supporters or volunteers <strong>to</strong> be<br />
able <strong>to</strong> bring both physical and<br />
emotional healing <strong>to</strong> the children,”<br />
she stresses. At the same time Toh<br />
Puan also <strong>call</strong>s on young girls not <strong>to</strong><br />
be involved in pre marital sex and<br />
<strong>to</strong> understand the consequences<br />
of unwanted pregnancies. She also<br />
pointed out that it is important<br />
for children <strong>to</strong> remember their<br />
responsibilities <strong>to</strong> their parents, their<br />
aged parents.<br />
“Often, we hear of children who<br />
leave their parents at old folk’s<br />
<strong>home</strong>s. They don’t visit and they<br />
don’t care. It shouldn’t be that way.<br />
We must create a foundation of a<br />
caring heart in our children from<br />
young. Love and responsibility go<br />
hand and hand. It is something that<br />
I teach my children <strong>to</strong>o,” said Toh<br />
Puan.<br />
As the wife of the Head of state,<br />
balancing her family life and public<br />
life can be challenging. According<br />
<strong>to</strong> her, the best way is <strong>to</strong> simply be<br />
happy.<br />
“It is also my secret <strong>to</strong> staying<br />
young,” jokes Toh Puan, who enjoys<br />
gardening and planting local fruits<br />
during her spare time.<br />
Apr-Jun2012<strong>BorneoTalk</strong> | 9