A Lamp in the Darkness

Every day, we read about crime, corruption and all kinds of human wickedness. With the decline in morals at every level of society, it seems as though there is no hope. Even children are affected by the spirit of this age. Teachers have a hard time maintaining discipline in the classroom and some even find it difficult to teach because unruly students disrupt their class.

Children's Ministry coordinator Khoo Siew Choo has been thinking about this problem for some time. She came up with a program called Xiao Ming Deng (The Little Lamp) but it only really took off last year. What is Xiao Ming Deng about? "We basically tell stories to the children and teach them to memorize verses. There is also an activity sheet for them to do after each lesson to reinforce the message," says Siew Choo. Values such as faithfulness, honesty, obedience and caring for others are taught, with the lessons modified from Sunday School materials.

Response has been good. A primary school teacher told Siew Choo that after a lesson on repentance, one of her students went up to her and said he was sorry for the things he had done and wanted to turn over a new leaf.

So far, six primary schools are using the Xiao Ming Deng material. Last month Siew Choo went to speak to the students of SJK (C) Soon Cheng in Muar during school assembly. The headmistress liked the message on setting a good example and asked her teachers to make sure the students applied what they had learnt throughout the week.

Some Sunday Schools and a day care center in Kepong are also using this material. "I plan to promote Xiao Ming Deng in every state. I have a contact who is a book distributor. This Christian brother will help me find out which schools are interested in the program," says Siew Choo.

The material is being translated into English and there are plans to use it in kindergartens as well. For more information, contact Siew Choo (siewchook@gmail.com, hp: 012-678 4132).