We are celebrating the "Wonder Women" who live among us

In this week leading up to Mother’s Day, we would like to honour the wonder women in our country – ordinary women living extraordinary lives. Proud mother of three and grandmother of two, Rita David, raised her kids with tremendous devotion and joy. One would assume the 57-year-old would want nothing more than to sit back and relax after years of hard work. But in 2014, she decided to give just a “little bit” more – to over 70 underprivileged children when she co-founded Little Penguins Literacy Consultancy. The centre teaches more than 70 children. “Being a mum has been the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced, especially knowing that our children take after us in so many ways. However, it’s so rewarding when you get to see all your kids grow up to be fine young adults and parents themselves,” said the bubbly, spirited woman. Instead of putting her feet up in her golden years, Rita answered the call of God to help raise other children with love and care as well. I have always desired to help the needy, especially in educating the young. “In fact, it was the vision of my late uncle, Rev Robert Mahalingam. His earnest desire was to help educate neglected children. He was saddened and burdened by the plight of children who dropped out of school at an early age, especially due to drugs and gangsterism. “Actually, it was his desire to open a literacy centre, but his desire wasn’t fulfilled as he was called into the heavenly realm. But before he passed on, he told me about his desire for me to fulfil his dying wishes. His wife Rev Vasantha Mahalingam is our advisor now.” A firm believer in a solid education being the foundation for a bright future, Rita followed through with the dream in 2014. “I, personally, had great passion to help underprivileged children, especially in wanting to see them become successful scholars." I have always believed that education is the only element that can overcome poverty. “Hence, I started this literacy centre in 2014 and by God’s grace we have sustained the centre for the past seven years, producing three undergraduates and I believe more graduates to come. I’m being assisted by my righthand man, Joel Jackson, and four helpers.” Former kids from the centre who are now helping to teach younger kids. Together this team of volunteers has touched the lives of more than 70 children between the ages of three and 18-years-old. The centre also feeds these underprivileged children when they come for classes, as some of them can only afford to eat once a day. “If their life was difficult before, it is immensely worse now that the pandemic has hit. Many of their parents are out of work and are barely able to put food on the table." Be The Hero That You Want To Be “I have a great mission to educate 100 underprivileged children, despite race and status. Education must be the umbrella that children can protect themselves with as they grow, so they don’t have to live in poverty anymore. “I have a great desire to own or rent a four-bedroom house, to be able to run the literacy centre in a bigger space, which would allow for lots of activities, such as indoor games, indoor camps, to convert every bedroom into a classroom. Rita David dreams of having a bigger space to house more children. “It would be a dream come true to have a playground, a sand box, and an inflatable swimming pool for these children. I am still praying that God will send us the people we need to help fulfill this dream,” added the visionary. She has always believed that nothing is impossible, especially if you put your heart and soul into it, and trust God in everything you do. How does she remain positive while juggling so much? By clinging on to the wise words of her late father. “There are only two beliefs in life – believe in God and believe in yourself. And when you learn to put your trust in God, you will have more confidence in yourself, then you can change the impossibilities into possibilities,” she recalls his words four months before he passed away. Her selfless wish this Mother’s Day is to treat the kids in the literacy centre to a feast of Satay and Ais Kacang. Never ever compare yourself to other mums because every mum is unique in their own way. If you ever wish to compare, compare only to your self. “The greatest love of all is to love yourself, be that hero you have always wanted to be. Sometimes no one will notice the good works you do. Often times people might not even appreciate you; not even your own family. It is in those times that you should give yourself a pat on the back. “Be bold to speak your heart’s desire. Be your children’s best friend. Always remember, you are a MUM - the rarest gem in the universe,” she concluded.

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