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Tamil-speaking youth sell flowers |
| Posted by Diocese of Penang (pgdiocese) on Nov 15 2010 |
PENANG: Visitors to the Christian Cemetery at Western Road, Penang, never fail to notice a group of energetic noisy youths doing a brisk business selling flowers and candles on Nov 2.
These youth are from the Penang Islanders Tamil Youth Network (ITYN), a group of Tamil-speaking youth leaders and volunteers from the different parishes in Penang. They meet regularly to plan activities for Tamil-speaking youth in the island of Penang. The Flower Sale during All Souls’ Day is their one and only fundraising project. One month before All Souls’ Day, the ITYN members can be seen selling coupons in all the parishes in Penang.
A coupon entitles the buyer to exchange it for five stalks of flowers, a box of candles and a cup of drinking water at the cemetery. The money is used to buy flowers from Cameron Highlands. Simon Joseph, 26, the coordinator of ITYN said, “We receive good support from the parish priests for our Flower Sale project.
The priests publish our notice in the bulletins and make announcements from the pulpit. Then many of the parishioners buy the coupons from us.” Simon shared that this was the fifth year running the Flower Sale project. Each year, their average earnings come to about RM4000.00. ITYN focuses on the spiritual and personal development of the Tamil-speaking youths.
The programmes help the youth to build leadership skills, deepen their faith and make them realize their responsibilities. There are 20 members in the committee and they meet every week. Regular monthly gatherings are open to all. They have organized activities like Persons Are Gifts camp, facilitators’ skills training, talks on Christianity & Religious Situations, sports, praise and worship, and spiritual formation.
ITYN is at the moment planning to improve its music ministry, by training more youths in the Music team. They are planning to purchase music instruments, eg drums, amplifier set, keyboard, etc. In order to raise funds for the purchase, they will continue with their Flowers Sale project every All Souls’ Day. — By Lucia Lai
Last changed: Nov 15 2010 at 11:56 AM
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