HORSE RIDING

Wednesday evenings are a time of joy for some special children. Thanks to Turf Club, these children get to go horse riding. Many children from New Horizons get to enjoy this privilege as well.

Today is one of the few times I enjoyed myself with the children as well as the horses. Teachers of NH take turns to go to Turf Club to help out as they might be in need of helpers - for both the horses and the children.

At first, I walked alongside a child sitting on the horse, but after a while, I was entrusted to lead a horse. Knowing that I'm first-timer, they gave me a tame horse, or so they thought. It's a white horse with black spots, like a dalmation and it had a tendency to rub it's head against me when we stopped. The horse sometimes 'rebelled' and went off track and another helper had to help me to put him back on the right track. However it was a great experience and I truly enjoyed myself.

It's really great to see how much the children love horse riding and respond to it. The horses are usually ponies for younger children and bigger ones for the older children. Some of them can identify the horses by name and they follow what the instructors told them to do.

Of course, there are also children who are afraid to go on horse. They need to be given time to adjust to it. They go for a few sessions before can willingly sit on the horse. Even sitting on the horse for 5 minutes is an achievement.

Special children, whether they have physical disability or not, benefit a lot from horse riding. For one, they learn good posture. They also gain self-confidence when they are up on a horse. And these children get to see things from a different view - from the top instead of always looking up for those who are wheelchair-bound. I have seen how much horse riding has done for some of the New Horizon's children. And I hope more children will be able to enjoy this as well.

THE UNSUNG HEROES

What makes a hero? Who are heroes to you? The people on the plane who tried to stop the terrorists from crashing into World Trade Centre? The doctors and nurses who continued working in the hospital during SARS outbreak? They are definitely heroes. What about people who seem ordinary to us?

Teacher's day was has already come and gone (16 May). I read about teachers who were awarded for their contributions. They are being called Tokoh Guru, Superguru...and I'm not sure what else. This led to one question into my mind - what about special education teachers?

This is not to belittle the contributions of mainstream school teachers. They undoubtedly play an important role in educating and shaping the young generation. It's just that the special school teachers' role are belittled, or not mentioned at all. What's more with New Horizons teachers or others who work with other NGO, whom I don't think are regarded as teachers by the government as they are not trained by them?

I remember, when I was in school, we celebrated teacher's day in a grand scale. There was special assembly where special guests were invited to commend on the contributions of teachers. There would be performances by students and they would also buy gifts in appreciation of their teachers. I believe the trend does not change much even though I have now left school.

How will teacher's day in New Horizons be? How is it any different? The difference is that there won't special assemblies, guests and so on. Most of the children won't be able to express their gratitude. They don't even know the meaning of teacher's day, lest to understand the significance of it. They come to the centre and life is as usual for them.

Though the children did not express themselves on teacher's day, the teachers were not forgotten by the parents of these special children. They will show their appreciation by cooking or buying food as well as gifts for the teachers. Not only on teacher's day, but some parents do it all year round.

These are the teachers who gave the parents hope when they saw despair, saw potential in the children when others saw only disability, love the children when others reject them.

They might not be able to get a word of 'thank you' from the children but their parents will not be able to stop thanking them. Their tireless effort in teaching, reaching out to their children are apparent for everyone to see.

Michelle (Godma), Celine, Diane, Seok Chyi, Wan Wai, Pooi Kuan and Kavita - I salute you for the wonderful work you have done. God has enriched many lives with your presence.

You are truly the unsung heroes.