Grow to Glow

May 09, 2025

By Jennifer Duarte
After completing their major school exams, many young people look forward to relaxing, having fun, or picking up a part-time job to earn some pocket money. However, six Form 5 schoolleavers in Ipoh decided to take on a different kind of challenge - by joining the Grow to Glow programme, a two-month initiative conceived by Fr Aloysius Tan, parish priest of the Church of St Michael.

In the programme, the six participants, five boys and one girl, spent their weekdays at the parish from 9.00am to 4.00pm. They engaged in a variety of activities, including a personal development programme, a visit to an Orang Asli settlement, and even worked together to prepare lunch for the group on one occasion.

A major component of the programme was a five-day personal development programme facilitated by Martin Jalleh. It focused on both personal and interpersonal growth, as well as addressing common youth issues. Participant Fabian Yoon shared that the sessions inspired him to deepen his faith. He was especially moved by the film Facing the Giants, which reminded him of the importance of trusting in God.

One of the more memorable experiences was a visit to an Orang Asli settlement in Lenggong. Before the trip, participants helped pack essential supplies such as food and clothing. Due to limited space in the four-wheel drive, only four of them could make the journey. Bernard recalled the drive up steep slopes as both dangerous and exhilarating. Once there, the group helped distribute items like biscuits, slippers, and clothes.

Aloysius Robinson described the visit as refreshing and eye-opening, appreciating the peace and beauty of the natural surroundings. Swimming in crystal-clear waters made him feel truly connected with nature. Henrick, another participant, was saddened by the hardships the Orang Asli face — lack of electricity, insufficient food, and widespread health issues. He was grateful that a medical team accompanied them to address some of these needs.

Since the programme coincided with Lent, the participants were also actively involved in the parish's Lenten activities. They collected donations from parishioners, shopped for food rations for the underprivileged, and took part in liturgical preparations such as burning old palm leaves for Ash Wednesday and selling hot cross buns on Holy Thursday. Choo Yue Wen, the sole female participant, particularly enjoyed the charitable shopping spree for the less fortunate.

They also attended a leadership course alongside other parish youths and students from Sam Tet Secondary School. This was conducted by Helena Michael, a certified trainer and lecturer from HELP University. Another standout experience was a weeklong visit to the Little Sisters of the Poor in Penang. “Besides mopping floors and serving meals, we learned how to engage with the elderly — even playing mahjong with them,” shared Bryan Choong with a smile.

Over the two months, participants also explored the history of the Bible, learned about the diocesan Sahabat Orang Asli ministry, and even picked up soap-making skills.

Initially uncertain about what the programme entailed, the participants all agreed it far exceeded their expectations. Henrick summed it up best: “My time was definitely spent more meaningfully than if I had taken a part-time job.”

The Grow to Glow programme offered a unique blend of intellectual, spiritual, and community formation. As Martin Jalleh noted, it was “an excellent experiential programme — informative, practical, relevant, and holistic.” All six participants said they would wholeheartedly recommend it to their juniors in the years to come.