Tuesday, April 6, 2010

THE FORGOTTEN FOREIGN GARDENERS.



 
 an adaption of a Mob1900 creation


Young shoots are sent to the nurseries. In this critical stage of their growth, these young shoots get the best of attention and nurturing from GARDENERS. No, this is not a post on horticulture. I am referring to one group of gardeners – THE LA SALLE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS. They taught my late Pa, some of my uncles. They were my teachers and my brother’s too. I even became one of them for a spell. It was during my sojourn with the Christian Brothers that I was amongst the lucky ones who took turns to care for one of the pioneer French Brother (Brother Henri) during his last days. Bro. Henri was one of my Pa’s teachers in St. George’s Institution, Taiping
So what brought about this post was a posting in the Centre for Policy Initiative . on Bro Vincent Corkery 

 
What I want to highlight is:
 Brother Vincent Corkery, who comes from Ireland, has served in Malaysia since 1948 or a span of more than 60 years. Several years ago, he applied for Malaysian citizenship after having obtained the necessary pass in written and oral Malay, but his application was rejected without explanation.
 People, bear with me as I put to print about this gallant but forgotten Foreign Gardeners.

Text from e-Lasallian network 
Like many great sagas, the story of the Christian Brothers, also known as the La Salle Brothers in Malaysia began with an honourable ambition and a daring dream. Honourable because they desired to educate and enlighten the ‘downtrodden and poor’ in the East where education was a luxury, only for the rich. Daring because in 1852, a group of six La Salle Christian Brothers (three French, two Irish, one American) made an undaunted journey by sea from France to the Far East, to pledge their future in an alien country totally unknown to them. On board the ship “La Julie” heading for Singapore were also five Sisters of St. Maur, more commonly known as the CHIJ Sisters (who set up all the Convent schools that we know). Sadly, the Reverend Sister Superior succumbed to the strenuous journey and died within sight of the island.
Nevertheless, the Brothers and Sisters struggled on to achieve what they had travelled thousands of miles to do. Three of the Brothers remained in Singapore while the other three travelled to Penang the result of which was eventually to be the St. Xavier’s Institution, or SXI for short, the mother of all Lasallian schools in the country. Soon, Lasallian schools proliferated throughout the country and the Brothers earned the respect of all – teachers, students and their parents. During the pinnacle years in the 60’s. 70’s and 80’s, there were no less than 60 primary and secondary schools set up by the Brothers.


Their Malaysian dream fulfilled.
           
As a testimony to the Brothers’ contributions, the Official Year Book of the Federation of Malaya 1967, when reporting the quality of education in schools run by the Christian bodies expressed:

 “….. the Mission schools, particular those under the direction of the Roman Catholic Christian Brothers and the American Methodist Church were chiefly responsible for the rapid advancement in English education. And by 1914, some three fourths of the boys receiving education were in those schools ….. It is a striking  tribute to the selflessness of these men and women that they should have gained  the ready confidence and affection of both parents and teachers despite differences in religion and culture …...”

Available school records before world war II , in fact showed that
74% of the boys and almost all the girls were in Mission schools.

For countless Malaysians who have had the privilege of studying under the La Salle Brothers, their education has been a wholesome and rewarding experience. They received more than quality education. They are imbued with moral values that have put them in good stead in life. This is an acknowledged fact and it explains why the alumni hold the Brothers in high esteem and their Alma Maters close to their hearts even though they left school decades ago.

However, circumstances became restrictive for Mission schools with the implementation of the National Education Policy in ‘69. This, coupled with increasing materialistic pursuits, young men find it difficult to think of a life as a Brother. As a result, the number of Brothers in the local education scene dwindled over the past decades with less than a handful still actively serving in the teaching profession. They are but a few gems striving gallantly to preserve the moral values and the traditions of the La Salle Brothers in today’s education by adapting these universal and timeless values to contemporary conditions.

The Brothers’ diminishing presence ironically provides the spark that ignites the fire for the refounding of the La Salle Mission in this country; only this time round, through the ALUMNI  and in a bigger dimension given the large number of LaSallians supporting the Cause.


+++++
When Bro Vincent applied for Malaysian citizenship, it meant RENOUNCING his Irish citizenship. I do not have to remind HRH the Sultan of Selangor, the PM of Malaysia and his cousin the Minister of Home Affairs (all Old Boys of the Brothers) and hordes of other luminaries that whilst thousands from across some seas have been given easy citizenship, Brother Vincent’s is still in limbo. 

Dang, he has spent his live here, 
nurtured thousands here and 
he just wants to be a Malaysian and 
maybe die as a Malaysian HERE!
IS THAT SO DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND.
MUST HE BEG? 

+++++

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22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Bro Cockery has all my sympathies. He, in the eyes of muslims is an infidel. The reaction from the govt is quite automatic, they prefer to give an indonesian thief his malaysian citizenship than give the citizenship to a deserving man from Ireland who happens not to be a muslim. Remember there is no meritocracy in Malaysia and never will be.

Ungrateful malaysia.

Anonymous said...

xenophobia in full bloom. race is of paramount importance. we let 3rd raters run the country.

halim.

Umar Rentaka said...

I remember Bro John D' Cruz, now a Father. He was the Bro-Principle of St. George's Ins., Taiping. Yes, I agree fully with you Uncle. They gave more than education. They gave the actual education, which is moral education. And they gave these by their personal example of speech, conduct and behavior. They molded the students by their love and the students followed them because of that love which surpassed race, religion and creed. Rare breed of teachers they are.

Anonymous said...

A VERY BIG THANK YOU for bringing all the Convent schools into Malaysia. It is a pity for Brother Vincent. Just because his skin is not brown enough. WTH?!

Malay-sia.

anthony said...

Recognition should be given to all the Christian brother and sister for their dedication in providing quality education to all in regardless of race or religion. I am from one of the mission school .. ACS Malacca. The dedication of the teacher ion the mission school is far far greater comparing to current government school.
There is one reason why we have children paying for tuition class after school provided by the very teacher who teaches them.
In our days, all the tuition is provided free by the dedicated teacher..
Hei, even our PM had his education in the missionary school.. can we check with our PM.. what is in his mind
?

Anonymous said...

Aiyah

Why did he not go over to Southern Philiipines and then enter Sabah? He would have got his MYKad by now.

PARAMESWARA

Anonymous said...

If he had been a Haji Cockery, he would be granted a citizenship even without applying for it. Probably a Tan Sri title as well.

That's BN for you.

alibaba

Starmandala said...

Xenophobia is one of the more reprehensible effects of tempurungism, which benefits only Jaguh Kampung types. Mahathir wanted to be the biggest samseng in his own country, that's why he kept the even bigger IMF samsengs out!

Anonymous said...

so long that D' MONKEY rule the country, slim chance for brother vince even Queen Elizabeth to get citizenship.

but more filipinos get IC for supporting D' MONKEY!!!

Screw umno said...

indonesian trader squatting in chow kit can get PRs and citizenships easily.... anyone else who are not muslims, tough luck! it doesn't matter what these non-muslims have done for the country... it is no go as long as Barisan Nasional rules the federal govt... so let's kick out the corrupt, paranoid BN govt come the next GE!!!

Anonymous said...

Bro Z, My sympathies goes to Brother Cockery as I am a by-product of missionary schools like St Michael's. St Xavier's and St John. Without doubt the Christians Brothers were the best educators our country Malaysia ever had from the early 40s till the late 80s.In fact we are so blessed to have them, otherwise many of our leaders would not be able to speak good and decent English today. What is so wrong in giving them our Malaysian citizenship especially taking into account their sacrifices for our country in the field of education. I just cannot understand our Government's policy.Obviously, there is no compassion attitude from our leaders inspite of having achieved sound education from the very schools these Christian Brothers taught. I am ashame to say the least. May God Bless You Brother Cockery and wishing you a speedy recovery. I sincerely hope God will open the hearts and eyes of our beloved leaders.

tupingera said...

Who gives a damn about the gardeners, all they care is to plunder the harvest....the gardeners are mere collateral damage in their lust for power(aka ketuanan melayu).

Old Fart said...

Considering, according to UMNO, Malays were supposed to be confused by the use by Christians of the word Allah, was there any record of the success of the LaSallian Brothers of the conversions of Malay boys and girls to Christianity or Catholicism?

motherchell said...

Bro Cockery, there are lots of us who are with you. The sons of the soil have sold off the humus that all gathered by hard working gardeners as you. They have a ready supply of their kinds to further make the soil infertile with artificial embedding. They have kept their amended History under a big stone with embarrassment and shame! Only they know their botanical names---far away from englande!! 400k gardeners enrich the World from Malaysia/year!!

flyer168 said...

Bernard,

Everyone is sympathising with Bro Cockery's plight.

I spent time studying in St John's Institution under the late Bro Lawrence's administration in the 60s.

Yes, we were all "EDUCATED" with the Universal Honourable Values & not with just the Paper qualification from the Missionary Schools then...until 1969 when the established "Queen's English" Education System" was "Strangled, Eroded & Destroyed" by the Ketuanan
Powers that be...with their 2010 Education System & Moral Values that has failed & failed & failed...

Sad to see the PM & MHA Hisham.. forgetting their early Educational Roots in St John's & the Christian Brothers..

May God bless Bro Cockery & grant him his wish.

Anonymous said...

If Brother Cockery was an illegal Indon immigrant, who has been in the country 6 months, he would have automatically qualify.

BodohLand only wants uneducated peasants from the same earth prince stock and/or special religion.

Qualified, educated persons are not welcome, lest they formant ideas into the minds of the rakyat. Ideas like democracy, fairness, equality, justice, freedom.

nstman said...

Cheats, liars and racists get recognised in this blessed country. Contributors get sidelined. This flies in the face of 1 Malaysia.

ahoo said...

A nation that can rewrites their history in the manner that benefitted them is a nation that will not learn. If the current govt cannot remember the service and contribution of the past educators, then this govt knows no shame. They will not be able to develop human resources as their views are warped.

Lord, I thank you for those mission schools and their scholars. Their unselfish and devoted lives have enriched so many of us and we are grateful. Please continue to bless each and everyone of them. Energize them when they are weary and may they always have your presence with them wherever they go.

Ralfie said...

Isn't this up and coming perkasa youth chief something?

http://www.facebook.com/armandpju?ref=ts

raj raman said...

Bro Cockery,
I am extremely sad for your predicament and ashamed this country run by ungrateful "HUMAN".
Thank you very much Bro Cockery for your kindness and sacrificed to this Country.

rajraman666.We can be racial but can't be racist and we human must be grateful to Human like you for the rest of our life.
Thank you.

Enche Gaban said...

nak jadi rakyat negara lain pun bukan senang. Susah juga nak mohon. Sibuk sangat nak jadi rakyat sini buat apa.

Anonymous said...

even a bollywood actor without contributing anything at all can be awarded a datukship !! DAMN !!