::my beloved fReaKy cHamps! Tekad Selangor::

From 28th - 30th January, i went to a Promuda's Tekad Selangor camping program. A program to inculcate the importance of thinking outside the box for kids of age 17; some sort of motivational program for kids to look ahead and beyond (after SPM).

Promuda, which consists of young professionals is an NGO-based association. i've been a member since 2000 but kept dormant from any of their activities until this Tekad project seized my attention. (yeah! since i love camping). this is a very interesting camping ever in my life as my previous campings were based on fun-filled soulless (let say brainless) action..purely physical, baby..

The D3KAT team, a team we established during the ToT program, gathered at Azura's house at Sect. 7 Shah Alam. All of us - Yuzaini, Oza, Inas, Wong and Cik Jee, the host - Azura and I took our bath, prayer and dinner at Azura's before convoying with two cars via KESAS highway. Oza and Wong eventually lost the way during the convoy, holding to our motto, all for one and one for all, we waited for her to catch up and reached Pusat Kokurikulum Tekali, Ulu Langat Selangor by 2123.

28th Jan - wee hours 29th Jan

After being briefed by Jai - the Head Security and Ziad - the Logistics Head on the tentative programs, the launching, and delegation of work to welcome our champions (the kids) we put up tents until 1 ish in the morning. I couldn't sleep as i was so excited to meet them up the morrow morning. i remembered woke up from my tido-tido ayam, to move all our bags outside the tent from getting wet by the drizzling wee hours rain. the bags were purposely put outside as we wanted luxurious space inside our sleeping area (yeah...right!) hehhe...i remembered walking zombie-like, grunted and Azura was also looking mamai to make sure the "jajan bag" are safe and dry. Why the jajan bag was very important? simply because we did our 12:30 - 245 pm Friday shopping dedicated for these mengunyah session goodies..then amazingly, we continued sleep like babies. some sort of remote-controlled robots we are huehue...

29th Jan
Being up and about 6 am, coaches are instructed to standby with their responsibilities and assignments. by 830 the first bus came and followed by the next 4. All 178 students came from different schools urban and rural alike. These champions as we called them, are multi-racial and that was the reason why the coaches are from different professions and races, lawyers, businessmen, accountants, scientist, engineers and doctors.

I volunteered to be one of the usherers from the point of arriving to the registration counter to the camp site. it went fabulously smooth. From 9 am onwards, the program started mostly for breaking the ice with each other called Langkah Pertama or the First Step...The most difficult task that I've experienced was how to gel in every champion from different schools and races. Yep! it was tough as the only champion who talked and started was Nad, the Bomba Gal or Hip hop gal (due to her choice of clothing and attitude). My squad- The Freaky Champs are made of Nad, Fatt, Julie, Pei Yoon, Zaki, Vivek, Liew, Ata', Ratih, Mathily and Zul. At first they were quite reserved and hard to give out ideas. It was Nad who really made the squad to came out with their squad's name, banner and cheers (after I cheered out my D3KAT's cheer, and Azizi's (partner) thrown in idea :P

It took them up from Career module to Tsunami's module to gather some ideas and open mind...started from that on, the momentum started and they gained their sense of belonging during Hati ke Hati Module..a module to share your ups and downs and difficulties...it really worked! But i was the one who shed more tears...huehue...I don't want my champs to lead a life like what i did before, mistakes, my "challenges" and so forth...that made me broke down to tears...but hey! I said..look at me now..i have my own assets i own and i have such beautiful life now...What makes us beautiful IS what we are now..and what we have become...and not what we were before..

From that module on, Freaky Champions is family and we had our meals together (funny the core just realised this after our 12 am Sunday meeting). It embedded in our hearts and mind how precious life is and what lies ahead of them. The champs were really restless and excited - how did I know? well...my tent was just next to one of their's. Their giggles and late night story telling made all their kakak-kakak unable to doze off..aduss!!! zombie again...oh well!!

30th Jan
This was The Day we bode farewell to our champs. After Subuh prayer, all of us had this excellent Jungle Robics which I enjoyed...the Sway Sway Roll, The March March Clap...are my fave steps..it seemed to me that everybody enjoyed this...Today, the prepared modules were mostly physical..unlike yesterday's motivational and soul fillings activities. I volunteered to be a judge in Tekad SIM module...a simulation of a scenario or objects which the champions need to think and deviced of. It so happened that Tekad SIM became a favourite among the coaches - entertainment people (remember no Astro, no music?).

surprisingly, what I observed, the most "difficult" platoon (they called themselves the Budak Lembah and Budak Melawati) happened to be the most creative platoon in Tekad Selangor..A platoon consisted of 5 squads. They are indeed creative and smart..but they behaved quite err...hard to control..The event climaxed when Hazami came in singing his Tekad song. He did some Heart-to-Heart as well and the champs loved him! It was easier to seize their attention using singers/ artists as they are popular.

We wrapped the program by 4 ish which ended by the coaches hugging and shaking hands with all the champs, wishing them the best of luck in future...I met up with Fatt...shaking his hand and squeezed in my own token of appreciation to him..He was a true leader, and how he opened up during each modules made me regarded him as special. Eventhough i chose Nad as the champ among the champs in my squad, personally Fatt is special. i wish The Committee allowed us to choose a boy and a gal, not because of sex segregation and gender equality...but what i'd like to highlight was each boy and gal champs are special..Nad, who experienced social and attitude difficulties turned to a gal who made everything happened...she was the pom-pom gal..the generator..but Fatt was the engineer, the person who made it all perfect!Fatt broke down to tears...as soon as he discovered what i gave him. I couldn't even look him in the eyes and quickly made myself dissappeared. Maybe somebody saw me cried cos' i felt really attached to each one of them, but i don't care less. Azam kept teasing and pulling my leg for this.

We made a move back to Shah Alam, away from the tranquility...away from oxygen-condensed jungle, natural water and fauna magical sounds..back to the warmth of a home. I was in a car with Azura and Inas..most of our time, we talked about Tekad, its champions and err...guys..(what do you expect?) ehehhe...Yuz drove Oza's car together with Cik Jee. We gathered at Azura's house, had a quick shower and sent Yus to KLIA.

What made me happy was how we managed to sent Yus and after Azura's feat on pulling some chords to make sure he can board the plane back to Kerteh. (hehhe Azura, one free roundtrip ticket to KK, please?) As D3KAt team means closeness...we truly made it into reality. Being together and being with great souls...To Azura, Inas, Cik Jee, Oza and Yus -you guys ROCK!

mOi:-
I've snapped few photos, but due to technical problems, i couldn't upload it til now..be patience ya! will let you guys see how wonderful to work with these champions, great coaches, great secretariat and as a whole a great TEAM indeed! bravo! bravo! huehue... i miss the whole thing already ("_)