Here's something noteworthy to share... A piece which Li Yen has written in her article for the Mind & Spirit column in NST.
Compassion On The Streets
Mind & Spirit: NST Life & Times 16/11/2010
BY CHIM LI YEN
BEING of service to others is an integral part of the journey in achieving fulfilment in life. It is about being there for someone with no expectations of anything in return. No underlying motive of recognition or compensation. Even doing service in exchange for good merits or for a ticket to heaven is an ego trip — expectations in disguise.
Service is simply about being there with your heart wide open to support a cause or another person. When was the last time you participated in making someone’s life better? In a world where everyone seems obsessed with material possessions, job promotions, good food, fame and money, the volunteers at Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) truly demonstrate what it means to be of service to others. While the rest of us are painting the town red on a Saturday night, the volunteers wander around the streets in the Klang Valley to distribute food and comfort to the forgotten members of society. “Our goal is to get our clients off the streets permanently by assisting them to reintegrate into society and be self-sufficient.
The food distribution programme is a tool for us to get to know our clients better. By giving them food and basic necessities, they open up to us easily and tell us why they ended up on the streets. Then, we can assist them in other ways like finding jobs for them, placing them in shelter homes for the elderly, replacing their identity cards and registering with the Welfare Department if they are eligible,” says Justin Cheah, Project Director of KSK.
KSK started out in 2006 as a group of friends giving out food, drinks and basic first aid to those in need. It grew quickly via word-of-mouth and today, the group is formed by volunteers of all ages from different faiths, cultures and background. “Our direct contact with those who live a ’street existence’ has been invaluable in gaining their trust and gathering information on their needs. As a result of these observations, we have established a plan to address not just the symptoms (hunger) but also the cause of the problem (urban poverty and a disconnection with society).
“Those stricken by poverty are not in that situation by choice. Nobody wants to sleep on the streets. They do not want charity, they need inspiration. We discovered that most of them are willing to re-enter society if given the opportunity — they just need to be shown the way.
“To effectively accomplish this, we have recently acquired a building just off Jalan Imbi as a permanent soup kitchen where we will continue to provide food, as well as medical aid, laundry facilities and counselling. It provides them with a fixed address, thus granting them easier access to employment opportunities. Besides the Saturday night rounds, we provide meals for about 150 people during lunch time every weekday from this premises,” says Cheah.
Since 2009, KSK has successfully obtained job placements for more than 60 people, found places in shelter homes for 20 elderly clients and assisted three to reconcile with their families.
If what they do at KSK touches your heart or inspires you, you can do your part by contributing in the following ways:
- Funds in the form of cash donations or pledges.
- Employment opportunities or training
- Donations of food such as cooking oil, rice, fruits, canned food, biscuits, etc
- Medication for fever, diarrhoea, cough, cold, vomiting, asthma and multivitamins
- Medical items for external use: First aid kit, plasters, bandages, crutches, antiseptic wash, gauze, acriflavine lotion, cotton wool, medicated oil, anti-fungal cream, etc
- Toiletries: Soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo
- New or used apparel, socks, slippers, raincoats, blankets, bags
- Your time.
Join the food distribution rounds at 8pm every Saturday by attending a compulsory orientation programme at KSK before heading out to the streets at 10pm. Address: No. 17 Jalan Barat (off Jalan Imbi), Kuala Lumpur. l If you are a medical doctor or qualified nurse, join them on the food distribution rounds to provide advice on medical treatment when the need arises.
Kechara Soup Kitchen’s long- term goal is to establish a nurture centre to provide training to enable the homeless to return to society as skilled citizens.
Join us this Sunday from 10am to 5pm at The Violet Flame in Bangsar for a fundraiser “Feed The Hungry Day”. There will be mini sessions of tarot card reading, aura chakra reading, Dorn therapy (for back problems and spinal misalignments) and other interesting activities. Proceeds from this event will be used to purchase food for KSK.
