Today is the day we have been waiting for! The "Give Hope, Give Life" Food and Funfair is finally here! Organised by The Church of Our Lady of Fatima in collaboration with ReHAK (Reproductive Health Association of Kelantan) to raise funds for KAWAN (acronym for Kumpulan Sokongan KAnser WANita or Women's Cancer Survivors' Group) this event saw an unprecedented 40 booths taken up and more than five thousand coupons being sold!
Hours even before the event officially started at 10.00 am, the grounds of Fatima Kindergarten was already filled with helpers and volunteers, setting up their food and goods, cooking utensils etc.
After speeches by Fr. Robert Daniel and Associate Professor Siti Hawa Ali, 10 women cancer survivors were invited to cut the ribbon and release the balloons in the simple opening ceremony. This was followed by an opening dance by a group of young children dancers from Kem Desa performing in perfect rhythm to the accompanying classic Chinese pop song.
There was also a children's colouring competition at 11.00 am and Free Breast Examination and Free medical checkup were provided in the Kindergarten rooms. Prizes were given away to the winners of the colouring competition by Mr. Gormok Singh, Mr. Alex Poh and Associate Professor Siti Hawa.
The youths from KCYS were also on hand to help out in manning the booths, in various duties such as welcoming the guests, and especially in entertaining our guests with modern dances and live band music! There was even a Chinese Caligraphy booth by Mr. James Wong who wielded his brush on rice paper beautifully. Our own Jovita Noel had her own booth, busily decorating finger nails and palms with Henna! The Sarawakian ladies had their own booth to sell handicrafts and hand made costume jewellery.
All kinds of food were on sale - from Punjabi delicacies to Indian cakes, Chinese 'muair chee', western pizzas to cendols and apom balek and ayam pericik, and a variety of Kelantanese cuisine and cakes, nasi kerabu, laksa, karipaps - you name it, we have it! Health concious customers can get health food and organic soya beancurds, vegetables and even plants sponsored by Wee Garden to take home.
Despite the intermittent rain and soggy grounds, the food and funfair was swarmed by supporters and people from Kota Bharu, Pasir Mas and even as far as Kuala Krai. They came from all walks of life, race and faiths to show their support and to enjoy the various foods and items being sold at the different booths. They came in the rain, to show their approval to "give hope, give life" and give light and joy to all!
Praise and Thank God for this beautiful turnout today!
And we would like to thank everyone, as Fr. Robert puts it, from the 'youngest to the eldest' who have helped in their own little way in this project.
We would like to express our grateful thanks to Fr. Robert for initiating this Food and Funfair and to thank especially the organizing committee under the leadership of Francis and Gina Lai.
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| The Tent-booths on the Fatima Kindergarten field |
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| The Welcoming Committee, faithfully and cheerfully welcoming our guests. |
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| Fr. Robert giving his welcoming speech |
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| Associate Professor Siti Hawa Ali in her opening address |
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| The 'Perfect' Couple' who led the Organisation Team for the Food and Funfair. |
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| Opening 'Cha-Cha' dance by young girls form Kem Desa |
The Participating Booths at
the Food and Funfair:
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| Shirley Bates, Pauline Ooi and Maria Kang at their 'green ' booth |
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| Auntie Catherine and partners at their booth |
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| Kelantan Buddhist Association with their puddings |
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Kelantan Sikh Group cooking on site various Punjabi Delicasies
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| Mr. and Mrs. Gerard Yeo in their original, natural dried sea-food from Sabah |
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| Tasty Tosai and Chapati by Mrs. Francis, Sharmini and Mrs. Soosay |
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| Jenny Teo cooking on the spot |
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| Paul and Rachel Lai at their personal booth with cheese crispies and other Western snacks. |
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| The Poh Family Booth offering Mee Rojak, selling like hot cakes and 'Muar chee' |
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| Hand-made and home-made Ribena Jam, Pineapple tarts cookies and even doormats! |
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| Apom Balik and other Malay delicasies |
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| Fresh organic vegetables for the health-conscious |
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| Made in Kelantan keropok lekur |
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| Medical Staff waiting for Blood Donors |
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| Health Exhibition staff at the Cancer health Exhibition |
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| Pudding and Chicken rice and banana chips booth manned by KCYS |
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| Fresh Vegetables and 'dukus for sale! |
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| More KCYS members helping out at one of their assigned booth |
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| Colouring Competition for children |
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| Children busy with their coloring |
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| Jovita Ann Noel skilfully draws henna art on hand of Mrs. Hady |
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Mr. James Wong, Champion Caligrapher
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| Our East Malaysian Ladies from Kem Desa with their handicraft and costume jewelery |
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| Mr. Gormok Singh giving away the prizes for the Coloring Competition.(4 years old) |
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| PPC Chairman, Mr. Alex Poh with one of the Coloring Contest 1st place winners (5 years old) |
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| Dr. Siti Hawa Ali congratulating Colour Competition winner |
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| 'My Three muskeetees' Winner of Colouring competition with mother and siblings |
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| Dr. Siti Hawa with the 1st Place winner of Coloring Contest |
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| Anne Yeo and her Korean Pop Dance group |
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| The Kelantan Sikh Group were the first booth to be sold-out! |
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| Dr. Kamalanathan, President of the Hindu Sangam, with Fr.Robert, Dr. John and Associate Professor Siti Hawa |
