Final Count Down - 2012 Charity Drive

Dear Folks,

Today's posting is a documented record to keep everyone informed of the latest updates on our 2012 Charity Drive this coming Sunday.

Total Fund Raised :  RM28,795.00 (Inclusive of Cash & Kind)

From the bottom of our hearts, we can't thank enough to all of you, our friends and relatives, who have responded to our calls for charity without hesitations, who gave unconditionally and generously and asked no questions on the use of the funds raised.  You certainly have a heart of  GOLD! You deserve a big round of applause for this act of giving. We pray the Almighty God for the display of your loving kindness which will in turn showered you and family with blissful harmony, happiness and health.

The Charity Drive is scheduled on next Sunday, 11th November 2012.

Followings are the detailed information:

                                   PROGRAM

LOCATION MAP- PICK UP POINT

Remember, arrive at 10am and park you vehicle at Kesas Highway R&R Awan Besar, near Sri Petaling (the R&R located along the KL-Subang/Shah Alam direction). Board the bus and we will depart at 10.30am.  Expected Time of Return at the same venue is about 4-5pm.

PS:

> Other than the planned donated items, you are welcome to donate your (in usable condition) recyclable items, i.e. Bed linens, clothing, shoes, toys etc for both of the homes. Please Do Not bring books.




The Kind Samaritans :

 

WITHOUT YOU, THINGS WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!

 

UTILISATION OF FUNDS

We are accountable for the utilisation of every cent. As you can see, we spent most of the budget to equip the canteen for the Handicapped Children Center, Banting and at the same time we are also trying to make the old folks happy.  Giving each of them some quality food for personal consumption and a meaningful Ang Pow so that they can sneak out to buy a packet of cigarette of their choice (everyone knows the secret :) ) while all of us get to chat up with them during the sponsored Chicken Rice luncheon.

The last donation goes to Fu Guang Shan Dong Zen Temple as charity fund to help this renowned Buddhist Temple in Jenjarom which is a landmark in Malaysia Tourism as well as for the Venerable Master Hsing Yun (Chinese: 星雲大師) who is  the founder of the Fo Guang Shan in Taiwan as well as in the Buddhist World known for his "Humanistic Buddhism" philosophy : 人間佛教.

BTW, Venerable Master Hsing Yun will be in town for a Buddhist Dharma Blessing Function on 24 November, 2012 at Stadium Shah Alam, Selangor.  If you are a Buddhist and do not want to miss this chance to be blessed by Master Hsing Yun, here is the details:

http://www.fgs.org.my/2012marvellousmy/home.htm

Before we end this report, here are those who sponsored us in-kind:

> Thanks to Leonard Koh, from KNK Travel & Tours who extended his special rate to ferry us around with two of his coaches.

> Thanks to Teraju Corporation for the discount accorded.

> Thanks to our samaritans who sponsored food, gifts, coaches and souvenirs.  

Most of all, a BIG THANK YOU to all of you who had come together and contributed, to help make a difference in the lives of the underprivileged!

 

能够付出是一种福氣
默默的关怀与祝福别人，那是一种无形的布施。
祈愿世界和平，风调雨顺，人民安乐，
让我们每天都能在这样的祝福中醒来。

From : Tai KL & Jenny

Recci Trip to Jenjarom

Mr Murugaiyah Jeevah from Pusat Penjagaan Kana-kanak Terencat Akal, Banting, Selangor called today to update on his side of arrangements.

The center will be officially opened by the VIP, The Lion-Parkson Foundation Chairman, Puan Sri Chelsia Cheng on 4th November 2012.

Our donations are the canteen fiberglass tables and chairs for 120 persons plus kitchen equipment comprising freezer, chiller and stoves.  The above are all scheduled to be delivered to the home by this Thursday, 11th October, 2012.  Mr Murugaiyah is planning for a one night stay at the center to cater to the delivery which he said, also inclusive of other items like bedding and furniture fittings.

I went on a recci trip today with my eldest brother, Lusin Yap, to chart out the route and paid a visit to all the homes that we intended to visit.

We spoke to a few old uncles at the Jenjarom Old Folks Home on arrival.  The caretaker, Mr VJ had just left after preparing lunch for them.  Our casual chatting around had brought much needed information for my preparation work and we left the home with promises and the heart of coming back with as big loads of goodies as possible to fulfil their needs, after listening to some of their plights.

We headed over to Pusat Penjagaan Kana-kanak Terencat Akal, Banting, Selangor with the trusted GPS coordinates set earlier, (Phew....there is no way one will be able to travel in this area without the Gadget...)  Was a +- 10KM drive from Jenjarom Old Folks Home to the next destination.

The place was quiet and serene.  We could only spot a guard stationed at the entrance and the place was quiet and there was basically no activities going on, so we made a U turn heading back to Dong Zen Temple after taken a few shots.

Then we made a stop, for the infamous Bak Kut Teh, located just along the road driving into the temple.  

We sat down and planned out the program for the old folks home. We thought that it will be fun to have a caring and sharing afternoon.  So, we went on ordering packed lunch at a nearby Chicken Rice stall and asked for double rice and added quantity of meats so that the uncles will have a hearty lunch...

Dong Zen temple was our last stop.  Mr Ku, the temple guide waited at the Da Shiong Bao Dien to greet us.

He was a nice chap and took us around and gave us a rundown of what he is going to offer us on that day...

So, allow me to stop here and let us all come together to fill the day with fun, laughter and joy for the needy!

Stay tuned for the updates on Program, Total Donations raised and who are the big hearted brothers & sisters attending this event of the year!

Head towards Kesas Highway exit Banting

First stop at Jenjarom Old Folks Home

Met the uncle named Lau Chen ( In Chinese 老成 ) and he gave us a list of things needed 

Lonely uncle having a quiet lunch all by himself

Two residents had since moved on to the better side of the world. 

May your souls R.I.P uncles 

This uncle told us that he did not have enough money to treat his eyes. He only had RM500 then and how he wished he could have another RM500 to save both of his eyes.   To the rich, the amount is only for one meal at a restaurant, but it means the world for this uncle.

Chicken Rice, Char Siew, Roasted Pork....yummy!

A sacred place to visit...Dong Zen Temple

Talking to the temple's guide, Mr Ku

Handicapped Children Center

Map to our Charity Drive

Point A - Pick up by coach at R&R Awan Besar, Kesas heading towards Shah Alam

Point B - Pusat Penjagaan Kana-kanak Terencat Akal, Banting, Selangor

Point C - Jenjarom Old Folks Home

Point D - Dong Zen Temple

View Larger Map

CHARITY VISIT RE-SCHEDULED

A quick update

The Charity Visit has been re-scheduled to Sunday 11th November, 2012 at the request of Mr Jeevah Murugaiyah, VP of Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Terencat Akal Negeri Selangor.

He explained that the 1st group of children is targeted to move in by end of Oct, 2012 (Instead of Mid Oct) and therefore, the rescheduled date will give them more time to prepare for receiving visitors.

In the meanwhile, do plot the new date in your diary for a day of kind deeds!

Help the Helpless - Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Terencat Akal - Sepang

Established in 1990, the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children's Association of Johor was built by Mr. V. Rajamanikam and today it houses more than 215 children. 

The Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children's Association provides facilities, health, education and support services to children and adults with down syndrome, spastic, cerebral palsy, hyperactivity and autism, orphans, and victims of abuse.

To date, the home has 6 branches in Malaysia, and the Sepang project will be its 7th. For the rest of the center's information, kindly click HERE.

The Sepang project is aimed to build a home in Selangor for mentally impaired children including an old folks home and orphanage, located at Mukim Tanjung 12, Daerah Kuala Langat, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

It started in 2009 with an enormous donation of RM3.3mil by the Lion-Parkson Foundation. The RM3.3mil comprises a cash donation of RM1.4mil to purchase a piece of land of 4.17 acres in Banting, Selangor and another RM1.9mil to build a home-cum-learning center for special children, under the first phase projected for completion in May 2011.

A subsequent construction of homes for mentally disabled children and an old folks and orphanage are planned for the second and third project phase respectively on an adjoining land. To date, the total cost estimation for the entire project is RM8mil.

Apart from the substantial support from the Lion-Parkson Foundation for the purchase of land and construction of buildings, the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children's Association of Sepang still needs help and donation from the general public to equip the home with furniture, medical equipment, support facilities and volunteers so that the children can move in, targeted in October/November, 2012.

Entrance Sign Board

Layout Plan

Main Entrance

Female Hostel

Male Hostel

Play Ground

Parking and Canteen

Interior of the Canteen which need to equip with 120pax seating 

A 4 Burner Stove is requested

Center - Tuan Haji Mohd Farid, Chairman

Right - Mr Jeevah Murugaiyah, Vice President

Mr Jeevah Murugaiyah

We came to visit the site at Sepang on 9th July, 2012 and met with the Chairman, Tuan Haji Mohd Farid, the Vice President, Mr Jeevah Murugaiyah and their team members.

Through the hour long touring and briefing by Mr Murugaiyah, we were given the understanding that the present urgent needs for the center is to help furnish the dining hall with tables and chairs as well as its kitchen with cooking equipment, freezer and fridge.  

For the dining hall, Mr Murugaiyah requested for normal food court type of fiberglass tables and chairs to sufficiently accommodate 120 pax; As for the kitchen, the Centre needs a 4-burner cooking stove, a freezer and a fridge.

The total cost for the above is estimated at RM20,000.00 and they need to be ready and available when the children move in by September, 2012.

So, my group of friends and comrade, let us get the ball rolling and engines ignited to do our best to help.

"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." ~ Mother Teresa

Contact and Address to the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children's Association of Sepang:

Lot 1648, Jalan Angkasa
Bandar Mahkota Banting
42700 Banting
Selangor
Tel: 012-7761465 ( Mr Jeevah Murugaiyah)

Alex Arokiam - A Man with A Heart of Mother Theresa

The Honorable

Mr Alex Arokiam

Chairman of Positive Living Community

Sitting under the porch of Rumah Oasis almost close to 12noon, there was a cool breeze blowing through the shades in spite of the scorching afternoon heat. Mr Alex Arokiam took his time to relate to us the story of how he moved from the City of Kuala Lumpur and set foot with his family in this serene village embraced by cool mountains ~ Batu Arang. A town located some 30km away from the City.

We listened to him attentively, figuring how this honorable man devotes himself to the destitute.

He patiently narrated his encounters during his younger days where he was actively involved with the local NGOs doing voluntary work. That was when he got called up by the Bishop of St.John's Church in Kuala Lumpur to help set up a halfway shelter to help drug addicts who are homeless and also those who are suffering from AIDS.

During the conversation, Alex said that the majority of the drug addicts and AIDS patients whom he met were 'victims of circumstances'. He elaborated that most of them were from out of town, have limited education background and came to the city with much enthusiasm in search of a better life. These group of youngsters were all ill prepared both mentally, skill-wise and financially to face up to the challenges of the competitive city life. Consequently, they will be forced into a tight corner under the pressure of city life with no money, no family support, no friends, no place to stay and the list goes on. According to Alex, these are the normal circumstances that will make these once budding youngsters to become vulnerable and eventually lead them onto the path of drug abuse and some to be infected with AIDS as a result. It was a hard fact to face and some of their own families even chose to turn their backs on them.

Rumah Oasis is a home that houses most of the bedridden AIDS patients. The full time caregivers were well trained to administer medication accurately and punctually, so that the treatment will be in line with the result expected by the hospitals, the medical program is fully sponsored by the government and the method of treating HIV / AIDS has since evolved to a more advance and humane approach which gave encouragement to the patients to avail themselves for treatments. Gone were the days of the "Cold Turkey" method, says Alex.

Unfortunately, out of the 31 inmates that Alex is taking care, only 22 of them are Malaysians who are eligible to receive fully funded medication from the Malaysian government. The other 9 patients are refugees from Myanmar who are not eligible for Malaysian government funded medication, hence Rumah Oasis with have to bear a portion of the medication costs together with the partial subsidy they received from their own government.

Apart from the first stop at Rumah Oasis, we also moved on to the second home, Embun Pagi Organic Farm. A home that provides rehabilitation and recovery program to the drug and alcoholic & AIDS patients.

This long shaped building houses 12 patients presently. They are the physically stronger group who have their disease contained with medication, but have no home or family to go back to, they will learn vocational and living skills here that allow them to support themselves and reenter society at a later stage. Embun Pagi Organic Farm, Fish Farm and Open Range Poultry & eggs produce contribute to the bulk the home's source of income for continuous sustaining of the home's operations.

After a brief lunch at a coffee shop near the town center, we arrived at the third home. It is a home for "After Care" program. This home is basically for the disabled and in need of continuous support for managing their daily lives.

A portrait of Mother Teresa drawn by one of the inmates was prominently featured at the entrance wall. This simple house presented a very clean and tidy image to the visitors, not forgetting a kitchen with a beautiful lake view that captivated my attention.

We were "exploring" further to the adjacent land with a free range chicken coop. Plants bearing fruits are definitely more fertile in this "zone". With Alex's blessing, we were plucking away some juicy berries to bring home with.

Not wanting to end our recci trip empty handed, we bought some big fat Tilapia fish from Alex, a few packets of air dried Misai Kuching tea leaves, a plastic bag full of mixed vegetables with herbs... some can even continue growing in my own backyard.

Now, let's work on our next Charity Drive, visiting the Positive Living Community, Batu Arang. Schedule on Saturday, 28th April 2012.

Are you free to join us?

Contact & Address :

019- 2287750 Alex
alexarok@hotmail.com

Positive Living Community
Lot D 1224 SU 4 Off Jalan DPP
48100, Batu Arang
Selangor, Malaysia

Touring around Embun Pagi Organic Farm

Savoring "Misai Kuching" tea...yummy

Sights to behold

House Of Joy - Temporary Shelter at Dewan Serbaguna MPSJ Taman Kinrara

Read this article:http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=%2F2012%2F1%2F1%2Fnation%2F10189393&sec=nation

So, the searching of this "Dewan Serbaguna MPSJ" took me more than half an hour rounding Seksyen 1, Puchong with the GPS of no help either.

Finally called up House Of Joy and the person answered the phone told me to head over to Jalan TK1/1, Taman Kinrara, Batu 7, Jalan Puchong, where their administration office is located, you will see the Dewan located nearby...

Receiving me upfront at the entrance was Ah Hong, who is one of the teenagers made homeless by the fire incident last week. Two reception tables were set up at both sides of the entrance, on the left was manned by Lesley Mah and her friends, the person responsible to attend to activities and visitations. To the right was a bigger table displaying all the Chinese New Year cookies and some other items on sale, to help generate funds in this trying times, I presumed.

Overall the boys were well taken care of in terms of food, clothing and basic necessities. There are now close to 40 of them aged between 3 to 18 years old housed in the Dewan while waiting for a more permanent solution to the lodging arrangement.

As the school term had just started two days ago, I was requested to provide some packet milk for them to bring to school. Some extension wires also come in handy for fans and other electrical appliances as the hall is fairly large. Garbage bags were also needed to maintain hygiene in the place. I have so far fulfilled their needs and made a small contribution with the hope that they will overcome this difficulty in no time.

Children were seen playing badminton and some started doing their homework right after having the packed lunch courtesy of some kind Samaritans.

Ah Hong reminded me to speak with them prior to bring cooked food to the children to avoid over supply.

Should you wish to pay them a visit, or just drop in your contribution, please refer to the followings:

Address :

Dewan Serbaguna MPSJ Taman Kinrara

Taman Kinrara Seksyen 1

7/12 Miles

Puchong

Tel: 03-8026 3299

or

Jalan TK1/1

Taman Kinrara

Batu 7

Jalan Puchong

47180 Puchong, Selangor

House of Joy Contact Persons:

Pastor Tang - 012-2246396

Lesley Mah - 019-3392847

Lee Choo - 012-9200141

If you wish to donate:

Account Payee:

JOY TO THE WORLD COMMUNITY SERVICES

A/C NO: 05700061502 HONG LEONG BANK

Send to : 78A, Jalan TK1-1

Taman Kinrara

Batu 7, Jalan Puchong

47180 Puchong

Attention to : Lesley (House of Joy)

House of Joy, Puchong Orphans are homeless again

The New Paper
Tuesday, Jan 03, 2012

For the past six years, it has been home to orphans as well as children from poor and broken families.

But The House of Joy, in Puchong Petaling Jaya, was razed after fire gutted the two-storey building.

The disaster left about 35 underprivileged children homeless and in tears, The Star reported.

The House of Joy chairman Pastor Tang Chee Sing said there were five caretakers and 19 children, aged between six and 12, at the home when the fire started.

"The rest of the children were out on training and attending workshops," he told the Malaysian daily.

The fire is believed to have started in the dormitory on the second storey on Friday, New Straits Times reported.

Firefighters, who arrived at the scene nine minutes after receiving a distress call at 10.50am, found the entire second storey in flames.

The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes.

There were no casualties, the report stated.

Selangor Fire and Rescue Department assistant director Anuar Harun told The New Straits Times that preliminary investigations show that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit.

He said: "The cook heard an explosion upstairs and went to inspect. He found the fire raging in a room and used a fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames.

"He called on the other caretakers to evacuate the children."

One of the caretakers, Mr Moses Chat, 68, said he and four other people were preparing lunch when he heard small explosions coming from the dormitory.

He added: "When I checked, we saw sparks coming out from one of the power sockets."

Pastor Tang said a neighbour offered food and shelter for the children while the firefighters battled the flames.

The children will be temporarily housed at a multi-purpose hall while the management looks for another house.

Pastor Tang said: "We were in the midst of raising RM2 million (S$820,000) to build a new boys' home and had planned to move out after Chinese New Year.

"But this fire has thrown our plans out the window."

This article was first published in The New Paper.

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