Starchild: Malaysian children's tribute to women for International Women's Day

Mikaela Goh Xin Rui, 8

On March 8, women across the world will celebrate International Women’s Day. This special occasion aims to celebrate women’s numerous achievements.

The first International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations kicked off in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland in 1911. Since then, in conjunction with IWD, women’s achievements are highlighted often throughout March on various platforms, including in The Star. Let’s hear what Starchild readers have to say on the topic, International Women’s Day.

Nine-year-old Lim Sheng Hao looks up to his 58-year-old Physical Education teacher.

“She can teach 25 classmates of different characters – well-behaved, naughty and playful. She is also very active in Scouts activities in school. Of course, she will be mad when we don’t finish our homework.

Lim Sheng Hao, 9

"When my classmates are naughty, she will punish them. But, at times, she tolerates them; she has lots of patience. My dear teacher is also kind, thoughtful and dedicated to her work. I hope that everyone will be patient and understanding like my teacher when they get older. Last but not least, I would like to wish everyone a Happy International Women’s Day. It is a day to honour the merits of women and promote women’s rights.”

Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, 8

“The late Queen Elizabeth II was a courageous woman who always put her country above herself. She was not supposed to be queen, but her father became the king after her uncle (the king) abdicated. When her father died, she inherited the throne and went on to serve her country for many years before her death last year. I think she was a remarkable and exemplary woman,” writes Bethany Wang Qi Syuen, eight.

Wong Cheng Yang, 9

Nine-year-old Wong Cheng Yang thinks his mother is a superwoman. “She does a lot of house chores for us every day, and she holds a full-time job. I love her so much. Thank you for doing the housework like mopping the floor, washing the clothes, doing the laundry, cooking and washing our dishes.”

Wong Jie Ern, 7

Younger sibling Wong Jie Ern, seven, loves her mother, calling her the woman who does wonders for the family. “She helps me with everything. She does the laundry, and helps me to shower. She lets me play games and sleeps with me every day. She doesn’t only work but prepares yummy breakfast for my brother and me. She also does the house chores.”

Haley Khoo, 6

“Women do wonders. I love my grandmother because she cooks delicious food. I love my mother because she always hugs me. I love my teacher because she teaches me,” says Aini Nur Ilham Ainuddin Wahid, six.

Aini Nur Ilham Ainuddin Wahid, 6

Chuah Seng Koon, seven, thinks his mother is a woman of wonder. She makes beautiful but simple breakfasts for him to take to school. “She cooks yummy but nutritious lunches and dinners for the family. She washes our dirty clothes and folds them. She sweeps and mops the floor. She takes great care of my brother and me whenever we are sick. Furthermore, she buys the groceries. Sometimes, she will also buy presents for us even though it isn’t our birthdays. She is the best mother that I could wish for. Mum, I love you very much.”

“Dear Teacher Heng, you are the super woman in our class. You are always caring and patient in teaching us. Happy Women’s Day to all women,” says Mikaela Goh Xin Rui, eight.

ITEM: Malaysia has some very beautiful beaches. We are spoilt for choice with Langkawi Island, Redang Island, Sipadan Island and Tioman. Do you like to go to the beach? Tell us what you enjoy most about the beach. Could it be swimming in the sea, building sandcastles, catching crabs or lazing under a coconut tree?

E-mail your contributions to [e-mail] by March 17. Please put “STARCHILD: Beaches” in the subject line of your e-mail.

Scanned drawings should be in jpeg format, with a resolution of 200 dpi. Your contributions must carry your full name, age (open to children aged 12 and below only), gender, phone contact, and address.