Christmas party at the Assumption Learning Centre

As the Third Sunday of Advent heralded the theme of joy, the facilitators of the Assumption Learning Centre (ALC) organised a Christmas gathering to share this joy with their 16 students at the learning centre in SCIC on 11th December.

The event kicked off promptly at 2 pm with a facilitator prayer-huddle to thank God for the opportunity to gather and to ask for God’s blessings upon all as well as on the gathering. During the prayer, they also remembered ALC initiators and animators, Anne and Joseph Vairappan, who were called away because of a death in the family.

With Christmas carols in the background, the gathering swung into full gear with games led by Kathlin, such as musical chairs, ice cream stick-pom-pom relay, balloon hockey obstacle race, and blow-wind-blow. Those who won prizes were thrilled to receive them. They were also served with food and drinks contributed by generous well-wishers and facilitators. There was so much food that the students could ‘tapau’ some home to share with their families.

In keeping with the spirit of giving, each student was given a Christmas gift. No words could express the joy that was written all over their faces, as their names were called out and they came forward to receive their gifts and share what they received with one another.

The Christmas gathering ended at 4 pm with thanks and good wishes for a merry Christmas and a happy 2023 till they meet again in January. Everyone felt very happy and grateful to God for the opportunity to ‘give and receive’ in this ministry. One of the facilitators quipped that the jubilant looks on the faces of the students and their progress achieved at the ALC made it worth the while to serve in this ministry.

The 6-month-old ALC is the brainchild of Anne Vairappan, who saw the need to help children learn the 3Rs as well as to promote inter-personal and communication skills. After getting the green light from parish priest, Rev Fr Dominic Santhiyagu, Anne together with other like-minded individuals and with support from the Assumption School Alumni who saw it as a way of continuing the Lasallian tradition and spirit, started the ALC.

The ALC is also supported by the NBVM/SCIC Projek Kasih and other generous individuals who believe in giving all children who want to learn, the opportunity to learn to spread their wings and fly. The ALC welcomes all children who wish to learn, regardless of their religious background and looks forward to continue serving them in the new year. (By ALC)