A Visit to Asian Art Museum: An Extraordinary Experience

On the 31st of Dec 2015, the volunteers and their student-friends paid a visit to the Asian Art Museum @ UM. This was part of an out of classroom experience for these students - to learn more about Asian culture. 

The volunteers

As the volunteers waited for their students, they had an informal discussion about the progress of each student. The issues they faced and preparation for their final exams which begin the following week. I am proud that they are putting aside time and energy for this programme even though they have a whole lot to do for their finals. May they be rewarded and be given ease in dealing with everything that they do. 

While waiting for the Palestinian students

Adam and Amanda (the children) joined as well this time to assist where necessary as well as learn more about Asian culture!

All of us 

As the student-friends arrived, volunteers immediately decided who was to go with whom and where. Quite tickling to see them get excited and anxious at the same time, these volunteers. :-)

Sajja - lost in her eyes

Sajja, the 8 year old, seemed phased out early in the morning (it was 11am!). Perhaps, weapons weren't her cuppa. Now that I think about it, Im not sure if the volunteers chose the right museum for these Palestinians. gasp. Weapons...destruction...well, we learn a new thing or two each day.

Aiman and Yousef 

Aiman and Yousef spent some time over pottery and such. Yousef showed a lot of interest when Aiman explained about the exhibits. Aiman in her usual chatty self, of course mesmerized her student.

Saif, saif & guardians

Saif is the quiet one who slowly eases into questioning. Here in this picture, he was looking at 'saif's (Arabic word for knife/sword?). Well, that was the joke of the museum. Madihah created it. 

P Ramlee and Palestinian

It was quite amusing to see Sajja flipping over pages of P Ramlee pamphlet, I think left after a P Ramlee exhibition at the museum. I am not sure if she understood, but as long as she was happy...flip away...

Sajja and Adele

The volunteers explained and described while the palestinians asked questions and nodded, mood was educational yet flat, we noticed. Whaddaya expect - it is a museum...

Anyhow, the mood instantly changed when we brought them to the 3rd floor where all the musical instruments are housed. Gosh, the energy and smiles! We should've probably brought them to Pusat Kebudayaan. :-) Sajja practically leapt off her wheelchair to get closer to the instruments. The boys went clanging and booming with the knockers.

Adlina and Sajja

We didn't realize that Adlina is an accomplished Gamelan player! She played for us wonderfully, I was impressed. Adlina took Sajja's hands and beat beautiful music into the air. Well done...

Sajja at it

The Palestinians and volunteers were at it creating such cacophony at the museum, it was a delight to watch.  

Creative Cacophony 

The Palestinians were introduced to songket, Malay vessels, carvings, keris, other weaponry, Chinese pottery, Indian idols (not the singing type), cups and saucers, Muslim art etc. We hope they would remember this visit and have benefited from it. 

of friendship

Adlina is one volunteer with such twinkle in her eyes whenever she deals with Sajja, I am amazed. I hope this genuine interest and care would spill over as she goes out into the teaching profession and prays that she (as well as the other volunteers) would benefit from this experience. 

Till the next post! Au revoir.