Lesson on Life

The following pictures are of the same place but taken in different seasons...

There was a man who had four sons He wanted his sons to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said, "The tree was ugly, bent, and twisted". The second son said, "No, it was covered with green buds and full of promise". The third son disagreed; he said, "It was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing I've ever seen". The last son disagreed with all of them; he said, "It was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfillment". The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall. Moral lessons: Don't let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest. Don't judge life by one difficult season. Persevere through the difficult patches and better times are sure to come some time or later ~ Arthur Unknown

Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Cacat Klang Selangor

Just came back from The Kasih Sayang Charity Dinner 2007 at Centro, Klang.

Mr Morgun, the Founder/Chairman of the centre has done a fantastic job on the event. A total of 100 tables were sold and approximately RM110,000 was raised through this dinner including some cash donations during the dinner itself. This is very close to Mr Morgan and his team's target of RM120,000.00. Congratulations to you, all the supporting staff, volunteers and children of the home.

My family and friends have enjoyed the dinner program whole heartedly, especially the children's performance which captured the audiences' hearts. Besides the scrumptious 8 course dinner and lively entertainers, lucky star has decided to shine on our table by delivering us the first Lucky Draw!! It was truly amazing. To add icing to the cake, I have also got a Complimentary ticket to The Royal London Circus sticked underneath my chair! It was one of the pleasant surprises threw in by the Organiser, can you believe it? Well, I personally don't have any idea how much it's worth, but, I have decided to give it away, if anyone is interested, please send me an email with your name and address and I will mail it over to you, remember, FIRST COME FIRST SERVE!

1,000 pax dinner at the Centro Ballroom


A new place in Klang, comfortable, I must say

Mr Morgun, Kelly to his right, and myself

Free ticket valid from 11 Oct to 25 Nov, 2007 , anyone interested?

A group of lucky people

They have put in their hearts and souls for the night, bravo!

The food was simply "Yummy"! or rather is it the good feeling of doing charity?

TI-RATANA WELFARE SOCIETY - Part two- The Orphanage

Christine, a staff from Ti-Ratana toured us around the children home on our visit there. We were not allowed to take photographs of the children as this can be a sensitive issue. All children came from different, out-of-the-ordinary and depressing background. Each of their privacy is highly guarded by Ti-Ratana to ensure that they grow up in a peaceful and warm place, no longer living with people who will hurt them.

What greeted us when we set foot in the compound was a group of children running happily playing amongst themselves. Some were seen sitting inside the main prayer's hall performing their routine chanting. It amused me to see many pairs of school shoes lined up to dry at the edge of the fencing with different sizes. Well it is a Sunday, I presumed these kids must have washed their school shoes by themselves. I can't help but to think of those lucky children waiting for their maids or mothers to do the job at home and they will be busy punching the keyboard playing game...

We were told that there are more infants and baby starting from one month old who are housed at the highest floor of the building. They are kept at a more private floor to avoid unnecessary disturbance from the family and the general public. Most of them were born by the unwed and single mothers that come to Ti-Ratana for temporary shelter. I bet you when you see these lovely kiddos, your heart will cry for them. Where are their parents? How can they be so cruel to abandon these innocent and beautiful children and let them fend for themselves at this tender age?

It is fortunate that they found solace in this place where love is in abundance and the people who cared for them are truly a devoted and committed lot.

While T-Ratana is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year, let me share with you some of the pictures of their day to day lives courtesy from the anniversary print-out. For you who are touched by the plights of these children, go visit them and send in your contributions to help Ti-Ratana realise its wish to build a Children's Court to replace the present old and worn out building.

Ti-Ratana Welfare Society

Persatuan Kebajikan Ti-Ratana

Lot 16106, Jalan 13 B, Salak South Bahru (Desa Petaling), Kuala Lumpur Malaysia 57100 admin@ti-ratana.org.myThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it +603-7988 1818 +603-7988 1888

Founder/Advisor: Chief Rev K Dhammaratana is celebrating one of the children's birthday in a Buddhism way

Since young they are being taught and grown up in Buddhism's teaching

No more lonely nights, no more fear of sleeping in the dark, we have found company and friendship and more importantly soul mates to grow up with.

In this big family, I have learnt to take care of myself, I will be more independent and strong and become a useful person to the society.

Every morning auntie will be giving us pocket money before going to school. These are the money contributed by all the very kind hearted people. We will be very careful in our spending and learn not to be spendthrift.

We are ferried to and from school by aunties and uncles who drive the school buses, vans or cars, come rain or shine

We understand that education is the way to change the course of one's life. And we are determined to make it happen

Aunties made a variety of food for us everyday, she changes her menus and methods of cooking leaving no room for complaints or excuses to skip meals. A well-fed stomach ensures a well-developed brain - such is auntie's principle

TI-RATANA WELFARE SOCIETY - Part one - old folks home

The Founder and Advisor to Ti-Ratana Welfare Society, Ven. Kirinde Dhammaratana Maha Nayaka Thera

A fatherly figure to all children, he is a mentor, a spiritual leader and a source to compassion and loving-kindness. Many people turn to him for guidance, support, problem solving and in the lowest part of the time in life. He has my utmost respect for his lifetime dedication to help the poor and the underprivileged

The main building that houses the orphanage and activity hall

This is the men's section of the old folks home. Everyone has a bed and locker for their personal belongings. There are volunteers who come periodically to help clean the place and spend time with the old folks. Often the Buddhist groups are seen here praying together with the old folks and guide them thru the Buddhism teachings, so that the old folks can find peace in the golden years of their lives.

Old uncle said he is happy here, although he could not walk but he is happy that he found peace here. No quarrels compared to staying at home, nobody to fight with and life is more at ease now.

Villi was chatting up with this cheerful old "kung-kung" and you can see another sitting down quietly without responding to us much...later we found out that he has hearing problems. He looks like a loner though...


This uncle shared with us the stories of his service in the British Army when he was young. He lost a leg to diabetes and now requires regular insulin jabs. But he remains calm and jovial in the daily chantings. He is confined to his bed and the chair next to him. We promised to bring him more Buddhism books on the next visit.
We wouldn't forget you dear uncle, my son was telling me on our way home. Emotions choked-up with visuals of those uncles waving us goodbye ... see you soon.

At the last hours of their journey, old folks will be accompanied by group of Buddhists and spiritual leader who pray for the departure so that the passing is at the most peaceful manner

Entrance to the admin office

This is the home for the women, which is adjacent to the men's.

I will share with you more about the orphanage and the single mothers at Ti-Ratana on my coming posting. Stay tune my friends

T-RATANA WELFARE SOCIETY - Leave a hand, light a heart

My family is in the preparation of moving to our new home. Over the weekend, while I was "spring cleaning" my closets, I managed to "weed" out some clothings and usable items that were no longer needed, that include quite a number of gifts from friends and relatives for my baby's full moon party. She is already 2 years old now and many different brands of shampoos, lotions, talcums and diapers are still in its "packed" condition. Further to that, I also cleaned up my working dresses and suits with matching bags and belts which practically stayed untouched from the day I conceived my baby girl. Seeing myself not returning to the working environment in the future, I might as well just give these clothes away instead of hanging them in the closet collecting dust.

So, Ti-Ratana will be an ideal place, I thought. A place that houses orphans, old folks, handicapped and also a shelter for destitute women. Hopefully my stuff would be of use to some of the residents there.

Ti-Ratana Welfare Society is run by a council of Volunteers and the Founder, Ven.K. Dhammaratana is the Chief Monk of Malaysia from the Buddhist Maha Vihara Temple.

Ti-Ratana is located at 16105-16107, Jalan 13 B, Salak South Bahru (Desa Petaling), K.L.

It comprises homes to an orphanage for 75 boys and 56 girls ranging from a few days old to 17 years, 2 old folk homes for 27 women and 16 men with the oldest being a 96 year old and a home for abused and unwed mothers.

Apart from running these homes, Ti-Ratana also operates a Mobile Medical Clinic with the sponsorship from the Lion's Club Serdang. The mobile medical clinic is manned by volunteer doctors and nurses, who visit squatter and remote villages to provide free medical check-ups and medication.

Ti-Ratana also run community centres which concentrate on community services to the neighbourhood and welfare projects for the poor and needy. The welfare projects include food and medical distributions to victims of natural disasters like war, flood and the recent tsunami. Ongoing community services are vegetarian lunches on the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, recycling campaigns, counseling and discussion sessions, various exercise and martial arts classes and language classes.

There are three centres located at:

17, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar
18-19 Jalan Besar, Ampang
12A&B, Jalan Kasawari 5, Klang
Two other centres at Jalan Penchala and Sri Gombak will be operational in the near future.

Ti-Ratana is a well managed charitable organisation. Many activities are planned and carried out thru out the year for the benefit of the needy. Under the guidance of Ven.Dhammaratana and with the teaching of the Buddha as its platform and "compassion" as it guiding principle, Ti-Ratana aims to be a centre of hope and a sanctuary for children, young people and senior citizens, regardless of race, religion and faith.

Ti-Ratana has a Wish List for:

1. Counselor for boys and girls
2. Sponsorship of daily meals for children and senior citizens and vegetarian lunches
3. Medication e.g. Panadol, gauze, plaster, adult & baby diapers
4. Volunteer lawyers, teachers for tuition and handicraft classes, nurses, child minders
5. Volunteers for welfare projects and community services

The contact:

Ti-Ratana Welfare Society
Persatuan Kebajikan Ti-Ratana
Lot 16105-16107, Jalan 13B
Salak South Bahru
57100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel:03-79881818
Fax: 03-79881888
email: admin@ti-ratana.org.my

Tee Hui Yee

Hui Yee is reported to be in stable condition, able to respond to questions asked by the Doctors and attempted to speak. It is a piece of good news to all who cared and worried for Hui Yee after she rejected the first heart donated by a 15 year old Malay boy from Ipoh. Doctors are "cautiously" relief now as she is still being cared for intensively in the ICU.

While she is resting and getting stronger by the day. Let us not forget those who contributed selflessly in this holy month of Ramadhan, to accomplish this almost "impossible mission" under the Divine blessing.

First in line is the team of IJN's "worn-out" but heartening Doctors headed by Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib who worked 24 hours non-stop to save Hui Yee's life. The same team who harvested and transplanted the heart TWICE for Hui Yee in 16 hours.

Not forgetting the Heart Transplant co-ordinator Noorsalina Othman who has not gone home for 3 consecutive days to care for Hui Yee's case. She was a pillar of strength to Hui Yee's parents during those roller coaster times involving the two heart transplant surgeries over the span of 16 hours.

Besides these great personalities, there are scores of unsung heroes behind the scene that had helped made the operations successful, they are the hospital's supporting staff, nurses, drivers, and the personnels from the RMAF mercy flight, the police and every man on the move who put the entire act together and made this Godly task work.

My salutes to the 2 donors' families who have agreed to donate their respective child's heart (and other organs as well) unconditionally. This is such a dignified way to carry on the life of the loved ones. You have sent waves of change to the nation through your unselfish act. People are now more receptive to pledge their organs for donation regardless of race, religion or faith.

We share your loss, but we cherish your wisdom!

Hui Yee's mum is seen hugging IJN Heart Transplant co-ordinator Noorsalina Othman to express her gratitude with dad as Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib looks on - picture courtesy of The Star on-line

Tee Hui Yee - second heart transplant in 2 days

Second heart transplant for Hui Yi

Update from The Star on-line 5 Oct: Mechanical heart girl Tee Hui Yi went for a second heart transplant early Friday morning, after her body rejected the first one. She had successfully undergone the earlier heart transplant Thursday after receiving the organ from an accident patient who died in Ipoh on Wednesday...

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Little news were available tonight regarding the second heart transplant for Tee Hui Yee. We are keeping vigil and our fingers crossed to pray for her as she has not passed the critical stage yet. The poor girl is facing a very challenging time now to adapt to her second new heart. The first donated heart was rejected by her body. Thank goodness that there was a suitable heart at the right time, granted by upthere. This time we must believe its miracle and nothing else. A kind donor from Johor was immediately available for the second transplant. Our prayers have not stopped since last night, for a successful surgery and pray for her speedy recovery.

I am very confident that this gutsy young lady will not give up so easily. You are seeing light at the end of the tunnel, can you hear us Hui Yee? The nation is behind you, hang in there my dearest。

Our Prayers Answered - Tee Hui Yee Gets A New Heart

The Star - Nation

Thursday October 4, 2007
MYT 7:27:56 PM

Mechanical heart girl gets a heart

By LOH FOON FONG

KUALA LUMPUR: Mechanical heart girl Tee Hui Yi successfully underwent a heart transplant Thursday morning after an accident patient in coma died in Ipoh the day before and several of his organs were donated.

Tee, 14, was wheeled into the National Heart Institute (IJN) operating theatre at 10.45pm on Wednesday and surgery for heart donor implantation started at 1.30am, according to a statement issued by IJN.

It was understood that the patient was a 15-year-old boy.

His heart and his lungs were flown into Subang Airport from Ipoh Hospital through the Royal Malaysian Air Force mercy flight.

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After I came back from a family dinner, I received 3 comments from readers informing me of this SUPER great news!

OMG, this is the first time I felt the ardent power of the Almighty God! I can't hold back my tears now that I am so so overwhelmed by emotion, and I felt like going to IJN now to share the joy together with Tee's family.

Both my daughter and I were chatting over MSN this afternoon discussing on ways to find help from Australia and exploring the possibility of finding a donor there. I was suggesting to her to spread the news thru her SDA Church in Brisbane, hoping for better chances thru word of mouth from a bigger and diverse group of people overseas. The conversation ended with Vivian's prayer to Tee for a miracle to happen.

To Tee, you have done a wonderful job. You have shown the world the virtue of patience and perseverance! You are the greatest!

I will see you in your ward soon!

To the family of the donor, I would like to extend my deepest condolence to you and also my utmost respect to the donor and you for taking such a noble decision to save the life of others by way of organ donation.

P/S - To you, Susanno, babe_kl and anonymous, thank you so much for the update and God bless you all !

TEE HUI YEE

I can't bear to see her face in the newspaper yesterday. It was a heart rending sight.

I have been following up on the progress of Tee Hui Yee's well being constantly but I dare not call up too many times to check on her progress knowing that this will burden her and her family even more emotionally.

Hui Yee has been living on a mechanical heart for a year now, and she is counting her days as there is sort of a "deadline" to the device that is hooked on to a battery to keep the mechanical heart pumping. She has another 365 days to live, if she fails to find a suitable heart donor by then. Can you imagine the feeling of knowing your life will end in a year's time? That is very horrifying isn't it? More so to a young girl at the tender age of 14. She has been losing appetite and weighs a mere 33kg. Food supplements are fed thru her nose via a tube. Tee's condition will continue to deteriorate as she suffers reduced heart function. Time is simply running out.

Though there are many fatal accident victims everyday but hospitals are unable to harvest the organs of these victims as they did not pledge to donate their organs. As such, IJN (Institute Jantung Negara), where Tee Hui Yee is admitted, has arranged for a press conference 2 days ago to highlight to the public the importance of Organ Donation.

Both mother and daughter were reduced to tears after watching the video on her life in IJN for the past year where she called home. Reporters who attended the conference cried too. Tell me who would not be touched by such a scene?

This is the 4th time I am using this blog as a platform to highlight Hui Yee's predicament, praying and hoping that a miracle will happen.

Out of desperation, can someone please come forward to help with solutions, suggestions or ideas like maybe the source to obtain a heart from willing donor(s)? Be it from anywhere in this world. We just need a slightest hint to raise the chance. This may sound incredible and naive, but this come from a layman with a sincere heart to help her country girl.

I promise I will do my very best to help, so that Tee can live on and have a normal life. Please drop me a line if you have such information. Thank you and God bless you!

p/s - pictures of Tee from Utusan Melayu and NST.

There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval

Who does not want to see pretty girl like this?

I was reading a blog that was linked to mine. She is a very brave girl and a role model to all Cancer Survivors. Her name is Yuin Yin. I admire her positive attitude towards life and her bubbly and witty self. You should drop by her blog to check out the pains and sufferings she battered thru the Cancer treatment. She walked out a champ!

I blog about her because I want to bring out people who are seeing things from a different perspective and dimension; It is about how you see a glass of water half full or half empty.

We should learn from people like her, who possessed analytical minds and wisdoms to filter those avertable grievances and anguishes, which often bring down our self esteem and spirits of fighting. I like what she wrote, "Our life is in our hand. How long you want to live and how happy you want it to be depends on your will. How determined are you to continue to live? I will never let the other 8% of chances of death to take my life away. Because I know I was here for a reason."
Don't you think that she deserves a big applause from all of us?

Rock on Yuin Yin, you have my most sincere and best wishes. Carry on the journey of life that is full of colours and excitements that awaits you. Don't forget, as your friend said of you, "you were made for the WEAK".