Latest news with #withLove
The Star
03-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Planning for greying Petaling Jaya
Mohamad Zahri (second left) and Petaling Jaya deputy mayor Aznan Hassan giving tokens of appreciation to senior citizens during the unveiling of the draft Petaling Jaya Care Economy Action Plan 2025-2030 during a community event in Taman Aman. — YAP CHEE HONG/The Star A FIVE-year action plan has been drafted to transform Petaling Jaya into an age-friendly, caring and inclusive city. Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) unveiled the draft of its Petaling Jaya Care Economy Action Plan 2025-2030, including the 'PJ Food with Love' programme at a community event in Taman Aman. In a statement, MBPJ said the city, which is among the earliest urban settlements in Selangor, is now facing the reality of a rapidly greying population with 12.6% of residents aged over 65. Neighbourhoods such as Section 17, Section 19, SS3, Taman Medan and Kampung Tunku are seeing some of the highest concentrations of senior citizens. This reality demands strategic planning and the provision of a more holistic, inclusive and sustainable community care support system. Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Zahri Samingon said the plan was a comprehensive strategy for building a high-impact care ecosystem. 'This plan not only focuses on providing services but also touches on caregiver professionalism, facilitating care centre licences and compliance, developing care data and technology as well as economic opportunities,' he said. The mayor added that the plan would facilitate cross-sector collaboration between the government, communities, non-governmental organisations and the private sector in realising Petaling Jaya's aspirations of become a caring, age-friendly and inclusive city. The Care Economy Action Plan 2025-2030 is aligned with the state government's policy but has been localised to meet the city's needs. It was developed through extensive engagement with community members, government agencies, NGOs and operators of more than 200 care centres. Stakeholders came together during a February workshop and again in May at a technical working group session to ensure the strategy is grounded in reality. The 'PJ Food with Love' programme, meanwhile, is aimed at senior citizens living alone who may be especially vulnerable. This programme is implemented through a strategic collaboration with Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia (Agecope) Selangor, ManagedCare Sdn Bhd and Le Maison Blissful. The initiative will deliver nutritious meals to homes, ensure regular health checks by medical teams and provide panic buttons for emergencies. Volunteers from Agecope Selangor will make weekly phone calls to check on recipients. Corporate partners such as Sunway Integrated Properties Sdn Bhd have contributed food and souvenirs for beneficiaries.
The Star
15-05-2025
- General
- The Star
Changing lives through education
Students' joy, gratitude make challenges in career worthwhile, say teachers PETALING JAYA: They are more than teachers – they are parents, protectors and givers of hope. Long after retirement and outside official classrooms, their passion for teaching endures. For these teachers, it's not about the money – the hugs, the smiles and the whispered 'I love yous' from children are the greatest rewards. These are educators who believe fervently that every child, regardless of background, deserves a chance to learn. Mary Stella Anthony Alphonse, 69, first stepped into a classroom in 1979 and officially retired in 2015. Yet every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, she teaches English and Mathematics to underprivileged children aged seven to 12 in Port Klang. She was first asked to help by a group of nurse-nuns back in 1992, and she has never stopped. 'We also provide food, transport and even basic life skills like cooking or dental care. 'Their eagerness to learn keeps me going,' she said. There have been hard times: She once faced the challenge of teaching a special-needs child in a mainstream classroom, at a time when awareness was lacking. But she remained steadfast. 'The beautiful moments outweigh the difficult ones. I love every minute and will continue as long as I can.' Sengkuttavan Manickam, 66, remembers well the day he started teaching: April 13, 1979. His fondest memories were from his early years in Kemaman. His headmaster had challenged him to produce one student who could get an A in English. When the results came, four of his students scored As. 'I still remember their names – Azman, Khairul Anwar, Rosdi and Zalina. They still keep in touch,' he said. He reminisced about dusty shirts and long walks to school in Kemaman whenever he missed the bus. Now retired, he teaches through the Gurukulum Seva, an initiative he and friends began as a means to reach underprivileged students. 'Some hug me before class. That alone is enough. It's been a full life and I love it. I stick to what my parents taught me – do good and good karma will follow.' He too has had his ugly moments. Once, a parent threatened to sue him for not appointing her child as a prefect. Tulasi Govindasamy, 75, was never a formal teacher but she has spent decades giving tuition and the last 13 years teaching refugee children in Bangsar. 'I'm a cancer survivor, and this keeps me going. Being around the kids makes me happy. 'When they say 'I love you teacher', I feel I must be doing something right and that they feel safe with me. That's enough to make me content,' she said. Hazdalila Zai Ibrahim, 38, was inspired to teach after watching To Sir, with Love, a movie that deals with social issues in schools. For the past 13 years, she has been doing exactly that at Yayasan Chow Kit, working with children who are underprivileged, stateless or part of migrant and refugee communities. 'Every morning, when they say 'Selamat pagi, Cikgu' with a smile – that's the moment I look forward to,' she said. These teachers, many of them unsung heroes, hold the key to the future success stories of their charges. And so, they deserve all the gratitude they get on Teachers Day.
Jordan News
16-03-2025
- Business
- Jordan News
Jeeny Launches 'Riding for Gaza, Giving with Love' to Support Families in Gaza - Jordan News
Jeeny Launches 'Riding for Gaza, Giving with Love' to Support Families in Gaza As part of its ongoing commitment to social responsibility, Jeeny has partnered with Tkiyet Um Ali to launch the 'Riding for Gaza, Giving with Love' campaign, aiming to provide essential food supplies and necessities to families affected in Gaza. This initiative seeks to ensure that those in need receive vital support in preparation for the holy month of Ramadan. اضافة اعلان As part of this campaign, Jeeny has committed 15% of the value of rides completed by its passengers during the initiative toward funding food packages and essential supplies. This initiative was not just a financial commitment but a reflection of Jeeny's belief that true social responsibility is about collective action and tangible impact. Jeeny's support did not stop at financial contributions. Employees from Jeeny actively participated in the campaign, joining Tkiyet Um Ali in packing and preparing aid boxes filled with food and other essentials to be sent to families in Gaza. This involvement highlights Jeeny's belief that true social responsibility extends beyond donations; it requires action, engagement, and a shared sense of duty toward those in need. Jeeny's partnership with Tkiyet Um Ali highlights the role of the private sector in humanitarian relief efforts and reinforces the company's commitment to leveraging its platform for positive social impact. With Ramadan being a time of generosity and giving, this initiative aims to bring hope and relief to families facing immense hardship. Jeeny remains dedicated to initiatives that strengthen solidarity and provide real support to those in need. This campaign is a testament to the power of collective action and the impact that businesses, communities, and individuals can create together.
Chicago Tribune
28-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Review: Hugh Jackman's warm ‘From New York, with Love' has Broadway songs and a star wanting to share the spotlight
NEW YORK — Here's the thing about Hugh Jackman. His talent merits a spotlight, he looks very good (still) in a spotlight and, unlike the vast majority of his peers, he can absolutely be relied upon to know the name of the spotlight operator. Jackman, for the record, also has learned the names of the veteran pair of Radio City Music Hall house organists, the musicians in his more-than-amply sized orchestra, his backup singers, his clutch of dancers. On the opening night of Jackman's new show 'From New York, with Love' at Radio City Music Hall — a 24-show residency that continues weekends, on and off, through October — he introduced so many people to his fans, about the only people left anonymous were the grand old venue's ushers. Jackman, who at 56 has entered what you might call the Jean Valjean stage of his career, has morphed from a presence that I once heard accurately described as the corporal embodiment of pure sex to a warm-centered, bearded Aussie patriarch who now has been famous long enough to learn that the lasting satisfactions of celebrity come from your power to shine the spotlight on someone else. Thus he paid ample props to BFF Gus Worland, a pal since kindergarten sitting in the seats and a media personality who has campaigned to draw attention to the suicide problem among men. He introduced his physical trainer, Beth Lewis, told us of her long-held dream to be a Rockette and then produced out of his hat two actual Rockettes from the wings so as to fulfill said dream. And he even grabbed what might have been the world's most introverted violinist from the back of his band and pushed her into the spotlight, sprawling sheet music and all. It was not an easy match. 'She can't wait to get back up there,' Jackman said to the audience, as the fine fiddler scurried back to a clearly preferred anonymity. Still, there was a new glint in her eye from this Ozdust ballroom. For much of the audience, though, the most thrilling guest star of 'Hugh Jackman Live From New York, with Love' was Jackman's BFF No. 2, the actor Ryan Reynolds, who caused a big flurry when he first wandered to his seat and then popped up with a microphone to do a vox populi bit with the crowd before delivering an unsolicited, and clearly genuinely felt homage to Jackman's qualities as a pal and mentor, or in the preferred parlance, the 'gotcha for life' friend that we all should make sure stands permanently at our side. When it came to those two, one had to wonder, who was doing whom the bigger favor? Either way, healing was on the agenda, even if the name of Jackman's widely reported belle Sutton Foster at no point escaped his lips. He certainly is entitled to that much privacy. Jackman's show is a blend of Broadway (the Friday set list included 'You Will Be Found' from 'Dear Evan Hansen,' 'Ya Got Trouble' from 'The Music Man' and a measure or three from 'Oklahoma'), homages to his movie career ('Stars' from 'Les Miserables,' several selections from 'The Greatest Showman,' a clip or two from 'Wolverine') and, most substantially, the songs of Australia's own Peter Allen. That allowed Jackman to pay tribute to fellow Aussie Olivia Newton-John by performing (quite beautifully), 'I Honestly Love You.' This former Boy from Oz also rolled out Allen's 'Don't Cry Out Loud,' once a big hit for Elkie Brooks, and, most movingly of all, 'Quiet Please, There's a Lady on the Stage,' written by Allen in tribute to his fading mother-in-law, Judy Garland. If Qantas were smart, they'd be running charters for this show, such is Jackman's palpable affection for his home country, even if he did wrap things up with 'New York, New York,' a city that long has loved him just as much. The man of the night is in fine voice: Such big stars in their mid-50s often forge rewarding shows to attend, for all the reasons above yet before the vibratos start to lengthen and the need to maintain fame in the face of callow youths ('Who's that again, dad?') starts to intrude. For sure, it's hard to imagine a performer in his 30s comparably worrying about whether this two-hour, intermission-less show placed too much pressure on the typical male bladder, but Jackman's enormous charm and user-friendly architecture is perhaps best summed up by his freely offered assurance that anyone headed by necessity to the Gentleman's Lounge need not apologize but move proudly up the aisle, perhaps saying hello to the crew on the light board as they pass them by. Chris Jones is a Tribune critic.
