Berapa berat mata memandang berat lagi bahu yang memikul

Whenever I try telling people that there are a lot of people in this world who are in need of help, often, I will receive very lukewarm responses. Most of them will say that they are either not free or sometimes more ironically, they decline to help by joking about themselves needing help, referring to luxurious and material things, I guess, judging from their appearance and lifestyle.

Contributing an affordable sum of money, no matter how much for donation and spending a little time with those in need of love and affection will neither shorten one's life nor make one any poorer. In fact, it will enrich one's soul and inspiration.

Do you know that most of the homes in Malaysia do not receive sufficient funds from the Government to defray their day to day operational expenses? From paying medical to utility bills, transportation fuel charges to daily groceries and food purchases, most of the home expenses are supported largely by donation from kind hearted Samaritans.

In true spirit, I salute the founders and caretakers of these homes who devote their own time and money to set up these sheltersshelters to help the unfortunate and at the same time, working round the clock to raise funds, manage the homes' expenses and making sure that the children's welfare are not compromised by the many external challenges faced by these homes. Their worries never end. Who will like the job of caring for the handicappers? Not even these children's own parents I must say as this is the main reason for them ending up in these homes in the first place. This job really requires the person to have a "BIG HEART" as this is not just one, but many unfortunate children under one roof.

For that reason, ordinary people like us are encouraged to do our part, by sparing some time to visit those who eagerly await visitors and give some donation whether in cash or in kind to help ease off some of the homes' burdens. As the saying in Bahasa Malaysia goes: "Sikit-sikit, lama-lama menjadi bukit". In direct translation means: "Adding little by little and in time it will accumulate to become a mountain"

Similar to Mother Teresa's quote ~ "We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop".

I believe by lending a hand to help, a ear to listen and moment to share, it will not only help us to a achieve a more balanced life but also strengthen our mind, body and soul.

Please visit Taman Megah's Handicapped and Disabled
Children's Home, a place that changed my perspective of life.

Cantact: Mr Baskin, Home Administrator No. 2, Jalan SS24/10, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Tel No: 603- 78061143 Fax No: 603-78051484 E-mail: ppkkctm_4@yahoo.com Website: www.ppkkctm.org

All donations are tax exempt (Ref: LHDN.01/35/42.51/179-6.4935) and they can be made payable to "PUSAT PENJAGAAN KANAK-KANAK CACAT TAMAN MEGAH" and you can either (a) send the donation the above address or (b) to bank-in your donation directly to the home's RHB BANK BHD Account No.: 26220500000121

Look out for this signage around the corner of SS24/10, Petaling Jaya

Children looking for partners to play games with them

London bridge is falling down...

These children are strapped to the specially designed chair as part of the therapy regime

A hug is all I want

Story telling time

Physio Therapist checking this boy's schedule with the help of a nurse

Assunta Hospital's nurses performing medical check-up

Don't worry, this is part of the therapy session to exercise his hands and legs

Fun time

I like Sundays, more uncle and aunties coming to see us!

Poor Patrick was picked up from the bush by the roadside of the home last month, abandoned by his parents

Can you imagine this bright little girl has holes in her heart too?

Buddies together

Such a warm cuddle

MUM AND DAD, WHERE ARE YOU?

A FAMILY VISIT TO PUSAT KANAK-KANAK CACAT TAMAN MEGAH

Greeting us upfront was a teenage boy at the gate and we then met with the home administrator, Mr Baskin. A very nice gentleman, who work fulltime at the centre and has dedicated his heart and soul to care for a total of 138 "unwanted special kids".

Sadness overwhelmed me when I saw lying on the floors were the children suffered from severe Cerebral+Palsy
, a multiple sickness that causes limbs to shrink, motoring disorder tasks such as trouble with walking and uncontrollable writing motion of hands or drooling. Most of them are suffering
from brain damage and with impaired vision or hearing.

While I sat down listening attentively to Mr Baskin's explanation on each child's condition, suddenly I felt one hand slipped inside my tummy and was groping around for some kind of touch. When I turned around and saw this boy lying in a fetal position with his eyes shut behind me, he held my fingers and wouldn't want to let go. He was yearning for a tender touch, he could not see, he could only feel his surroundings. Tears gathered in my eyes and my heart melted. Who is there to give him a hug? Who says that these little human here have no feelings?

According to Mr Baskin, most of the parents would not return to see these unfortunate children after leaving them behind at the centre. Some of them even have the heart to instruct the centre to just "burn them" if they die. I ask God, what have become of this society? Where are these parents' conscious? Can they sleep well at night? Aren't these children their own flesh and blood too? What sins have these children committed last life that have brought them to this world with such harsh punishments?

According per Mr Baskin, these children may not live long. In fact, most of them could barely make it through to their late teens. In this short journey of life that is full of sufferings, I pray to God, please relieve them from pain, relieve them from missing their parents, relieve them from loneliness, and relieve them from the desire of walking. Grant them peace in their hearts, shower them with love from kind people that visit them, bless the home with sufficient funds to continue this noble task of caring for them.

What more can we do to help?

Take a deep breath,









and pray for them...


No words can describe my feelings now, I will be back...

HEART MATTERS

Recently I have been receiving news about people suffering from heart related diseases. One of them happened to be my own brother. He is in his early fifties with three college going kids. Kind of young for a man to suffer from heart attack isn't it?

We realised that he was getting tired very easily these days and had both puffy eyes that looked like the pandas. Suspecting of some kind of unwell, he tried many times running up the stairs trying to buy some comfort that he is physically OK. Until of late, his company's medical benefits sent him for a full medical check-up which brought him this latest news to the family.

Well, he is not that ill as a matter of fact, he is still active and hopping about. He was only being diagnosed with 3 artilleries blocked in his heart. (Yes! We only have 3 artilleries and all THREE of his are blocked!) and he stands a 50% chance of getting a heart attack anytime.

We have concluded that the main reason for this "pre-mature" disease came knocking at his door was his bad diet habits. A very carnivore human in nature, his diet cannot live without "pork". Chunks of "bak kut teh " (pork leg cooked in herbal soup, famous in Klang town, not far away from where he lives.) used to be his favourite food. With cholesterol reading at 7.5 without medication, one is not surprised a heart attack can happen anytime to him.

Now that he is on a month long medication while awaiting to perform the Angiogram, I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the basic tips on the daily healthy eating plans in exchange for a healthier life and at the same time lowering the risks of heart related diseases and strokes.

DOs
> Choose food that are low in fat; saturated fats ~ use olive oil or canola oil for cooking
> Eat more grain products ~ use brown rice instead of white rice
> Eat high fibre vegetables ~ serve at least two types of vegetable during each meal
> Eat beans, lentils, peas and tofu ~ make multi beans soup
> Choose fish over poultry
> Eat more fruits
> Eat plenty of oats, barley and cereals
> Less sugar in drinks and food
> Moderate salt intake ~ use herbs and spices to flavour food

AVOID
> Bacon, sausages, Chinese sausages, luncheon meats, frankfurters, canned meats
> Caviar, oyster, squids, shrimps
> Duck meat
> Roasted pork
> BBQ meats
> Chicken skin
> Butter or margarine

The keyword to the principle healthy diet is "MODERATION". Remember there is no good or bad food, only bad eating habits. All food can fit into your eating plan, just don't over indulge.

Not forgetting, I have been receiving this diet and fitness tips in my mail box daily which was very beneficial and I would like you to have it too.


Heart With Muscle Damage and a Blocked Artery


Detailed information on Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) can be found in this site.

ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY - WALK & WHEEL

Come, let's support AWAM'S WALK AND WHEEL: Uniting for safe spaces.

As a fundraiser for this year, AWAM is holding a large public event on 30 June 2007, called the Walk & Wheel. It will create awareness and brings to the forefront the need for a safe environment among young people, the disabled and the larger public.

The objectives:

- To create awareness and forefront the need for safe environments among young people and the larger public
- To encourage pro-activism and empowerment among young people
- To celebrate and promote community spirit
- To build the capacity of young persons to work towards change
- To generate funds to sustain AWAM's community programmes

Date and Time of Event:
- Saturday, 30 June 2007 , 4pm till 10pm

Venue:
- Dataran Merdeka Kuala Lumpur

AWAM welcomes Corporate Sponsorship to the above event. Details are here

WENT TO HELL AND CAME BACK

Though this time is nothing relevant to helping people, but I can't help myself but to put this journal in my blog, to let out my frustration, so to speak...

We just touched down this morning from Gold Coast, Australia. It was a family holiday that was planned two months ago with so much preparations but sad to say it's one holiday that went awry.

What had sent us all to hell was that my little 2 year old darling girl who fell sick on the day before the departure! The "Nightmare" that I dreaded most! As the weather in Brisbane is turning cold in June, we have tried so hard to condition her since two months ago to prevent this from happening (no swimming, no junk food, lesser trips to shopping centres etc).

To make matters worse, due to the travelling logistics, it will take us almost 12 hours to arrive at Brisbane from KL at about 11.00pm and then follow by another 1.5 hours' car ride to Gold Coast, which means that we could only be expected to check-in to our hotel at 12.30am the earliest! Can anyone imagine having a child's temperature risen to 40.1 celcius at the airport on arrival in the cold winter night?

Upon arrival at the Brisbane Airport and when we put her into her car seat, she was motionless and when I put her head up right, her eye balls simply just rolled up! That was such a scary moment!. We insisted that the lady driver pulled over to the road shoulders and I started immediately to administer the double dosage of medicine by inserting the suppository paracetamol to her and also oral ibuprofen. After a good sweat, her temperature had subsequently gone down to about 38c.

That was not all, our horrible in-flight experience was the most torturing part. Given the first row of seats does not make things better. I was almost on my feet facing the wall carrying my sickly darling for 5 hours in the whole 7 hours flight from KL to Sydney! Can you picture a wailing child crying on top of her lungs and not letting me sit down and only wanting me to cradle her? On top of that, a man behind us "shoooo" us for the noice that she made. That left us no where to turn to. One of the stewardesses was kind enough to only allow us one time using of their seats for feeding her medicine, she then quickly drew the curtain and put up the sign -"for business class only" to the area we thought could be more condusive. The last resort, we fed her water and medicines in the tight aircraft lavatory, literally!

Her condition did not improve in the night at the hotel with her temperature rising up to 39.8 celcius, we had no choice but to call in the doctor to our room at 5am. Without a clue where the hospital is, we were even mentally preparing ourselves to admit her to the hospital the moment the Doctor advises us to do so. Thank God, after examination, the kind Phillipino Doctor re-assured us that everything will be fine and she should recover in a couple of days with the medications that we brought along. Boy, that was the most comforting words to hear!(No hospital, no drips, what a relief!) And, you can conclude from here that the holidays is about medicine and rest, yes, plenty of rests.

What disappointed me and my husband most from this episode here was that, this entire ordeal was simply "undue" and is completely avoidable!

It started a week ago with my little darling's granny, who was having a bad sore throat and had all the signs of a bad flu coming, which we didn't know and she did not warn us of. She continued to cuddle her most nights when we returned home. She only sent out signals of her flu 2 days prior to our departure and on the morning before we left for work, she said that she was not giving a goodbye kiss to the baby as her throat was bad, and she reminded us to prepare medicine before leaving for Australia. My heart almost dropped upon hearing this and ever since then, I was so worried and kept praying that for "the worst thing" won't happen. Until she threw up in the afternoon of the day before our departure for no apparent reason, and the body temparature read 38.3 celcius, all hell broke loose!

After a round of helter-skelter to the pediatrician and the Doctor giving us the all clear for baby to travel (with accompanying medications and antibiotics of course), we took on the roller coaster journey...


MY DARLING VALERIE AFTER THE TRIP, The result of No solid food for a week!


MY BABY BEFORE LEAVING

MECHANICAL HEART GIRL IS ON THE VERGE OF GIVING UP....

Tee Hui Yee is in the news again today, how I wish to read that she is finally going into the operation theatre to fix her heart. But the news is otherwise... 243 days have passed since the Sept 29, 2006 operation and there’s still no heart+donor
. Tee Hui Yee is on the verge of giving up hope.

My heart is heavy as I write this message to all readers over the world. This is the third time I blog about her plights, can anyone help? Perhaps by just clicking and send this page link to all your friends out there? Maybe, maybe there is one lucky star strike on it and brings back good news to her? I pray for miracles to happen...

"She is beginning to believe that she’s not going to make it," said Dr Mohamed Ezani Md Taib, IJN consultant cardiothoracic surgeon and director of the mechanical heart programme.

After yet another round of fever caused by infection, she is loaded with antibiotics and has lost 10kg in the past 6 weeks and only weighs 31.7kg now. A feeding tube is inserted to make sure she gets the nourishment that she needs. She is a picture of gaunt.

Never give up, my dear, you may not know us, but do you know that the whole world is behind you?

Buddhist Culture and Art Festival 2007

The largest ever Buddhism event held in Malaysia history...




The objective of this event is:

(A) To promote Buddhist arts and culture
(B) To improve public understanding and appreciation of Buddhism
(C) To express the commitment of Buddhist towards peace and harmony in the society.
(D) To enhance fellowship amongst Buddhist organizations in Malaysia.

Come and participate as Volunteer or visitor to this event on:

Date
6th – 10th June 2007

Time
Opens Daily : 10.00 am – 10.00 pm

Venue
Malaysia International Exhibition & Convention Centre (MIECC)
Jalan Dulang, Mines Resort City, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor.

This event is jointly organised by fifty Buddhist organisations representing all Buddhist traditions – Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana Schools, in conjunction with the 50th Merdeka Celebration and as a contribution to Visit Malaysia Year 2007.

The organiser is currently looking for volunteers to help in the security and safety for the Buddhist Culture and Art Festival.

The Buddhist Culture and Art Festival start on 6-Jun-07 and end on 10-Jun-07, from 10am to 10pm everyday. The duty is split into 2 shifts, 9.00am to 4.00pm and 3.30pm to 10.00pm. Lunch and dinner will be provided. The role of the volunteers will include: -

Security & Safety

1 Look after all the statue, art and others displayed in the premises
2 Assist in the crowd control
3 Show the direction when asked by the visitors
4 Keep walkway congestion free
5 Inform the head of security when the situation is not within control
6 When a situation/crisis arise, report to the main security office or call the duty officer.
7 In the case of an emergency, example visitor/volunteer injured, assist them to the sick-bay (St John)
8 Know the fire exit and the location of all the fire extinguisher/fire hydrant.
9 Calm the visitors during a crisis/emergency eg. fire

Security counter

1 Registration of volunteers and Rela personnel.
2 Issuing of security tag, vest etc to the volunteers; ensuring acknowledgment of received from them.
3 Allocate volunteer to the duty location
4 Handling lost and found item/people
5 Dispatch important information to relevant heads or authority
6 Receiving security tag, vest etc from the volunteer after they have completed their duty.
Ensure that all items issued to the volunteers are returned
7 Control of security inventory eg vest, security tag etc
8 Posting of duty officer handphone no and other information to the security officer.

Should you need any further information, you may like to contact: -

1. Bro Stanley 013-3887666
2. Bro Yen Hoe 012-3459352
3. Sis Yin Yin 016-2376685

For more infomation on the above, please visit the web.

PEOPLE COME INTO YOUR LIFE FOR A REASON

This blog is specially dedicated to my daughter, Vivian Geow, who has just completed her pre-u study at The Mission College, Bangkok and is coming home for a break today before continuing her uni study abroad. Welcome home my dear!

And this is for you...

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die.. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on!



Some people come into your life for a SEASON,cause your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.!







LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant ..


Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.



My "home" Princess:

CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS? WHAT A WASTE!

What are they trying to prove?

A local daily today carried this picture that almost caused my glasses to drop! A beach resort in the west coast of Malaysia "THREW" some 20,000 apples into its swimming pool to create the national record of "The Most Number of Apples Used in Spa Therapy"!

OMG, did the minds of these smart geniuses behind this so called "project" ever thought of those poor people around Malaysia, not to mention the World, who are starving for food? Let alone having the luxury of apples as their dessert...

What are you going to do to those precious apples after this? Let them rot or throw them into the sea?

Please, people, please, have a heart for those who are waiting to be helped. This is a pure waste of food for a publicity campaign.

Happy Mother's day

You think that the mentally challenged people will not miss their parents? You are wrong.

This lovely young lady sang us her favourite song : 世 上 只 有 媽 媽 好 meaning: Mama means the World to me!

When asked if she missed her mother, she nodded typical of a little small girl yearning for her mama's love...

Mama, will you come see me?

Tulips for Charity

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will be bringing 2,500 tulips in a variety of colours to be sold for charity at MYR6.00 per stalk. The sale will be at Sungei Wang Plaza, Concourse Level on Saturday, 12 May 2007 from 11.00 am (while stock lasts)

The funds raised will be used to purchase urgently needed equipment at the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit at Hospital Selayang.

Reflections Of A Parent

My Dear Child,

I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.

I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.

I can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.

I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for you.

I can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful inside.


I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.

I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.

I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.

I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.

I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.

I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.

I can tell you about alcohol & drugs, but I can't say "No" for you.

I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.

I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.

I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.

I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.

I can love you with unconditional love all of my life... and I will.

A Parent.

WHAT CAN WE DO WHEN VISITING ORPHANAGES?

This is the continuation after my previous blog - What can we do when visiting old folks' home?

Same as visiting Old+Folks
Home, there are two scenarios when visiting orphanages
:

1. You are going on your own or with a small group or
2. You are going on a group basis

Things to do and prepare when you are going on your own or with a small group:

1. Identify the home(s) that you intend to visit. Speak to the administrator or person in charge.
2. Firm up a date and time as most of the homes send children to church on Sunday morning and some may have prior engagement or pre-planned activities.
3. Check out the age groups and total number of children.
4. Decide on the items and amount of money to donate. (Try to contribute some cash to help if possible. Most homes need cash to pay for utility bills, medical bills etc.)
5. Buy essentials for the children (Please see LIST OF ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR ORPHANAGES below).
6. Learn to do some simple handicrafts. Animated balloon sculptures, flowers made of straws, little pillows or blankets sewed from unwanted cut pieces of cloths can be good ideas to give as individual gifts and it's cost effective. (I am sure you will be rewarded with grins in these children's faces stretching from North Pole to South Pole!)
7. Bring a hair dresser along if possible. I was told by a home administrator that they couldn't afford monthly hair cuts for everybody; As such, they only give hair cuts to the children whenever they need to attend certain 'official functions'. This has prompted me to learn simple hair cutting, any volunteer out there who can teach me?
8. If you have a family member celebrating birthday around the corner, do it in conjunction with this visit. Bring paper cups and plates, a cake, some snacks, some bottle drinks (or ask the home caretaker to mix a drum of syrup for you.) some simple finger foods, and don't forget, get the children to dance and perform their talents to your audiences. Most homes trained their children very well and these children will perform their talents whenever they get invited to functions organised by groups or individuals.
9. Share some I.T. knowledge with the older children, chat with them over internet issues. You may show them ways to solve their problems if both time and accessibility to computer are permitted.
10. Discuss school activities or homework with them. Most homes are facing shortage of tutors to guide the children in the academic field.
11. Encourage and praise them whenever they do well, be it mentally or physically. These are the words that they missed hearing from their parents!!

Things to do and prepare when you are going on a group basis:

When you are going on a group basis, you would not be able to offer your affection and attention so closely. However, there are many things that can be done on a group basis and still achieve the similar objective of bringing cheers and happiness to these underpriviledgedchildren!

1. When going in a group, you have a bigger budget. So make full use of it!
2. Decide on home(s) with more children.
3. Check out the age group and their needs. Obtain a wish list from the home administrator.
4. Organise a donation campaign to collect items/cash from the group, colleagues, friends and family members. After gathering all the items, sort and organise them accordingly. Do ensure that all items to be donated are child proof to avoid bodily injuries/harm to the children. The above is certainly a worthwhile effort and it will ease off the cash requirements to purchase the same items and with the amount saved, you can now donate more cash to the home.
5. Assign responsibilities to the participants. Split into small working groups to handle food and beverages, games and entertainment, logistic, love and care (haircut and hygiene check) and photography.
6. Remember to bring kids along.
7. If you have a Doctor or Dentist friend, bring him/her along.
8. Hire or be a clown yourself?
9. Meet everyone at the home and conduct a friendly briefing before any activities. Invite the home administrator to give a briefing to everyone on the home.
10. Do an Icebreaking Game to start the day's activities.
11. Celebrate festival or birthday bash to those born in that month.
12. Prepare a power point or video presentation on educational clips.
13. Exchange address with the orphans. Have the participants or their children to write a post card to them after returning home to tell them you enjoyed their companies (or do it yourself, regardless).
14. Be generous with your hugs and kisses.


LIST OF ESSENTIAL ITEMS FOR ORPHANAGES

Health and Hygiene
- Toiletries (shampoo / shower gel / soap)
- Lotion
- Tooth brush and tooth paste
- Antiseptic cream
- First aid kits

Food and Beverages
- Milo / tea / coffee powder / nestum cereal
- Children milk powder
- Condensed Milk
- Sugar
- Salt
- Barley
- Eggs
- Onion / garlic / potatoes
- Sardine / tuna / baked beans
- Jam / butter
- Cooking oil
- Ketchup
- Rice / meehoon / mee
- Anchovies
- Wheat flour
- Syrups / cordial

Stationery
- Book wrappers / cellophane tape
- AA /AAA battery
- A4 size paper
- Plastic folder
- Computer disc
- Colour pencils
- Colouring books
- ABC books
- Numbering books
- Pencils / erasers / rulers / sharpeners
- Exercise notes
- Scientific calculator
- Geometry set
- School bag / uniforms / shoes

Households
- Soap powder
- Washing machine liquid
- Dishwashing liquid
- Floor detergent
- Bleach
- Mosquito spray
- Rubbish bags
- Bed sheets / Pillow cases
- Blankets
- Towels

Note: The above listing is not exhaustive and you are encouraged to request a wish list from the respective Home Administrators for specific items required.

CHARITY BAZAAR

Remember the charity
Bazaar which is organised by The Handicapped and DisabledChildren Association of Klang that I mentioned in my earlier blog?

It was held yesterday, 1st May 2007. The event was a big success. There were easily 800 people who turned up for the bazaar and most things that were donated and sold by well wishers and volunteers
were quickly grabbed up by 1pm. I personally think that this was a real win-win event that brought everybody home with a happy and contended heart!

With the fund raised thru this yearly Bazaar, I sincerely hope that the children will have a new home soon!

Share with you here some of the joyful scenes...