Dreaming Big Dreams

"Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and dream which, fulfilled, can be translated into benefit for everyone and greater strength for our nation. " -John F Kennedy

Serangeeve Sukumar, or more fondly known as Geeve, is a resident at the newly renovated SHELTER 3 in Petaling Jaya. He has come a long way since joining SHELTER 1 (home for children) at the age of about four of five. After completing his primary education, Geeve moved into SHELTER 3 (Home for teenage boys). He completed the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) last year and is currently studying in the Taylor’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Sijil Kemahiran Malaysia (SKM) programme. Upon completion of the course, he will receive a Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism.

Geeve’s interest in the hospitality industry started after Form 5 when he was working in a restaurant in One Utama for a month.

“I enjoyed working with people, the customers, and seeing their different personalities. Some of them were nice and friendly and would talk to me, some were not as nice and friendly. But I found that I liked working with people.” He said.

Recognizing Geeve’s interest in hospitality and seeing the potential in him, the SHELTER staff workers were keen to see him further his studies in that field and encouraged him to do so.

“After SPM, I wasn’t doing much, just helping in SHELTER, doing house chores. Uncle Evan (SHELTER 3 staff) saw an advertisement (for the Taylor’s school’s course in Hotel Management) in the newspaper one day and encouraged me to sign up so I did lah. He helped me through the interviews I had to go for – bringing me here and there, giving me advice,” said Geeve.

Geeve was accepted into Taylor’s programme and is sponsored by Pan Pacific Hotel in Kuala Lumpur, one of the hotels participating in the programme. Upon completion of the academic section of the course this July, Geeve will begin a three month long practical training programme at Pan Pacific Hotel. After the three months, he has a one-year contract with the hotel and will begin working as a waiter in the hotel’s banquet hall.

Despite hardships and his humble background, Geeve is just like any other teenager, with big dreams and ambitions for his future.

“After I finish my one year contract, I want to go back to Taylor’s and study for a diploma. Then, I want to work in Pan Pac in Singapore for two or three years, if I can. After that, come back to Malaysia,” he said when asked about plans for the future.

“I would like to get promoted, from a waiter, slowly go up and maybe become a manager in Pan Pac one day. There are other things I also want to do, like buy my own motorbike because the one I am using is actually SHELTER’s. I also want to be able to move out of SHELTER…and other things lah!” he added.

However, despite his desire to move out and be independent, Geeve still wants to maintain close ties with SHELTER.

“I still want to come back to SHELTER to tell the kids about how they also can be successful. I also want to donate to SHELTER.”

To Geeve, SHELTER has had a great impact in many aspects of his life – personal and spiritual development, providing an education and giving him opportunities in life that may not have been available to him otherwise.

Of his experience in SHELTER, Geeve says, “I am really thankful to SHELTER for everything. SHELTER has taught me a lot of things and helped me a lot. I wouldn’t have all the experiences and chance to do things if I didn’t come to SHELTER.”