Pesta Chow Kit Kita (part 3 - last part)

They came from all over.

A visitor checking out the leaflet that was distributed.

Local artistes were on hand to lend support to the event.

The highlight was the unveiling of the Chow Kit map mural by the VIP guests...

... who were non other than the young participants themselves.

One of the activities was the walk-about tour of the area with small skits being performed by the participants.

A short briefing to those who registered for the walk-about.

One of the stops was Jalan Chagar, where I grew up.

A game of marbles anyone?

One of the children playing badminton with a racket made of cardboard.  Guess who he was portraying...

... ME!  (The banner says, "Rubbi as Uncle Shaik.")

Every of the children performing had an adult 'side-kick' as a safety precaution.

In addition to those on took the tour, passes-by also stopped by to watch the performances.

Each of the performances was based on an actual person in the Chow Kit area...

... and it was carried out as close as possible to where event took place.

The two street painters at the graffiti wall.

The local arts community lending support to the event.  Sorry that I'm not able to identify them.  (My age shows, doesn't it?)

The facilitators being recognized.  Kudos for their untiring efforts working with the children. 

One for the album, the children and the volunteers that day pose for a group photo.

Three cheers for a job well done.

I'm so looking forward to Phase 2.

Pesta Chow Kit Kita (part 2)

At about 11.30 a.m a street parade was held to promote the Pesta and to invite the local inhabitants to the event.

This is part of the Faces of Chow Kit photo exhibition.
Chow Kit is more than just Malaysians of Malay, Chinese and Indian origins.  It includes the various groups from Sabah and Sarawak such as Kadazan, Dusun, Iban, Penan and others.  A sizable community of peoples of Indonesian, Thai, Myanmar, Nepali, Bangladeshi and other Asian nations also exist here.  Of late peoples of African and Middle Eastern countries can be seen here.  Chow Kit is a true melting pot of all peoples of the world.

The street parade was lead by the White Percussion Unit who had volunteered to perform at the Pesta.

The local 'Arts' Community has been very supportive of the whole project.

Don't be fooled by the pieces.  It's not always chess, sometimes it's just checkers thats played here.

The parade went right through the Chow Kit market.  Here the volunteers are handing out leaflets about the Pesta.
Leaflets and posters had been distributed in the area during the past few days, however it was not as 'noisy' as today's distribution. 

This is the way 'ayam pencen' (lit. pensioned or retired chicken - layers that are past their prime laying age) is prepared for sale.

My friend, Farook, who has a 'teh tarik' (tea) stall in the vicinity of Masjid Pakistan came out with his son to check out the 'commotion'.

An elderly Chow Kit 'regular' studying the leaflet. 

The parade ended in about an hour.

"Where is my portrait?" is probably on his mind.

"Is that me?...naw... cannot be."

Visitors to the Pesta were just as colourful at the Pesta itself.

A crowd is always a good location for any enterprising person.

I liked this.

It was hard work for the volunteers but it was fun too.  I don't know if the banner at the back (LUCU is Malay for funny) had anything to do with it, but these volunteers were having a whale of a time.

To be continued.....

Pesta Chow Kit Kita (part 1)

The Pesta Chow Kit Kita was on the 21NOV10, so I'm coming very late with this post.  Then again, better later then never, they say.



The Malaysian Insider was among those who covered the event.  I especially like this article as I'm visible in the last photo.  


Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia also has some excellent photos of the event. 

The event was to start at 2.00 p.m. but the place was a hive of activity when I got there about mid-morning.

Some of the mock road signs with the portrait of the persons after whom the roads are named and a short write-up.

A bit about the project, taken from a banner hanging there.  For more information visit ChowKitKita.com

One of the facilitators/volunteers busy on a display.

When you volunteer as a facilitator, you pay your own expenses (which includes anything and everything you or the children may need to use), manage the children under your charge, do all the hard work - basically you are a full time / unpaid worker for the children.  Your reward - maybe your photo will appear in an obscure blog such as this. 

The make-shift stage being erected.

One of the major objectives of phase 1 of the project, mapping the places of worship in the area.

Paper models of the places of worship.  There's a Masjid, two Gurdwaras and a number of Chinese Temples, some of which are exclusive family affairs.
There are even a couple of churches in the area, but due to the sensitivity of the parishioners they cater to (including guest workers, sex workers, reformed addicts and other 'out-casts' of society) they requested that their privacy be respected. 

Some of the volunteers for the day listening to a briefing by the facilitators.

Some of the children behind the 'street name' portraits.

Artist and model posing for me.

To be continued...