Kechara Soup Kitchen Is Making News Headlines!
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/KSKMakingHeadlines.mp4
Kechara Soup Kitchen or KSK is very often in the news here in Malaysia, or newspapers or magazines. The press is very kind here and support a good cause. I think the press has done such a good job to highlight what we are doing because what we are doing is to serve the sector of society whose luck is down.
We give over 700 packets of fresh food away every month plus light medical care to the homeless on the streets and it is increasing. I want this dept to grow and grow and grow and inspire others to do the same around the world. Because if we take responsibility instead of just complaining,we CAN make a big difference.
From my heart, I would like to respectfully thank the media and press for being so kind to cover our events. It has brought awareness and inspiration to many people. I really appreciate the press/media very much for caring. They do their part and we do our part, and together we can make a difference.
We at Kechara House do not have any issues what color is your skin, your religion, your views and your background. We are not here to force our thoughts, way of life, spiritual views, or culture on you..because we respect you… We are just concerned about human condition and sufferings….we do not want to sit around and do nothing…life is not for wasting in self-indulgence as it can be used to serve others.. It doesn’t matter what religion you are if you are hungry and it doesn’t matter what religion I am who give you the food. What matters is that we care about others and help each other, try to help and share our good fortune with others. KSK simply wants to give food to our brothers and sisters that are on the streets. Every government does whatever they can to the best of their ability, so ordinary people like us should help also and contribute and do our part… We should help our governments by doing whatever we can. We must do so…it is better than a life of self-indulgence and not caring.
When I see someone on the streets very hungry, I don’t look at what color his/her skin is. I just want to offer some food and help. I don’t judge or pass negative thoughts, I simply want to relieve their hunger at that time and then leave them in peace. I am not a saint but a human being with a conscience. All of us have a conscience, we just have to open ourselves up.
Tsem Rinpoche
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/FeedingHungerToHope.mp4
The second video is a MUST WATCH. It is our annual Kechara Soup Kitchen Dinner. The guests of honour are Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Datuk Dr. Victor Wee who’s the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia Board and the Chairman of the Programme Committee of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), he is also the patron of KSK.
Kechara Soup Kitchen was extremely honoured to have Datuk Shahrizat grace our dinner. She had prior appointment and told us she can only stay for half the event. But in the end, she stayed for the whole event to our great appreciation…Thank you so much! She is intelligent, passionate, works hard for the community and well educated. She has a wonderful smile that just captures her audience. Her speech was moving and very energetic…you can see her genuine concern.. On behalf of the Malaysian Govt she presented a cheque of Rm50,000 to our Kechara Soup Kitchen. How incredible! It is such an honour that we have the support of our Govt. It is our honour to serve the homeless and assist our Govt as good citizens that take responsibility in our community. We must always find ways to unite the community.
Datuk Dr.Wee also took time from his international travels for the Govt to grace this occasion. Datuk Wee is known for his hard work toward the community, his honesty, diplomacy and kind heart. He is a real gentleman. He also made an amazing speech on behalf of the homeless. Everyone was enthralled listening to his incredibly meaningful speech. I was very moved also. I thank Datuk Wee so much for his kindness and heroic support for the homeless through KSK. Please watch the video I’ve included.
Her Excellency the Honourable Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (above). She is such a wonderful and passionate orator.
Datuk May Phng who is the President of Kechara House (left) having a warm exchange with Honourable Datuk Shahrizat.
Datuk Dr. Victor Wee is the Chairman of Tourism Malaysia Board and the Chairman of the Programme Committee of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), he is also the patron of KSK. Datuk is making a wonderful speech for the homeless and our mission.
Justin Cheah (left) with a regular volunteer Quinten. I was told that Quinten is a KSK team leader, very consistent and very reliable. He attends every week on Saturday and Sunday for giving food rounds. We have many volunteers now who come with full commitment every week. They do themselves a huge favour by serving the homeless. Kudos to them.
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I often see articles about Kechara Soup Kitchen on the papers. I strongly believe that KSK has helped a lot of people in Malaysia. Thanks to Dato Ruby and her team! I’m so proud of Kechara!
Thank You for sharing Rinpoche.
Love, beatrix.
folks, i m residing in pasir gudang johor n i wish 2 offer my services by doing n e thing suitable with my age(eg.cleaning n cutting vegetables etc,). pls contact me s i do not want 2 idle my life. thank u n have a wonderful day. just in case, my mobile number is 019-7826219 for your convenience.
I can’t imagine the few people that distributes less than 10 packets of food walking around Chinatown looking for the homeless and hungry to give them food. Through this kind and compassionate activity of this people has shown the way for Kechara to form Kechara Soup Kitchen KSK to help and feed the homeless. The support is mainly from the Media, the newspapers of different languages. The Star is actually the paper that has been helping KSK a lot indirectly. KSK’s work has gained the confidence of Government ministeries and well known people to help in our cause. And now through Kechara Soup Kitchen President Dato’Ruby Khong being awarded Datoship Kechara Organsation will be able to do more for Society.
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KSK gets media attention ever so often nowadays, thanks to the great work of the energetic team led by its president Ruby with the assistance of Justin, the man behind the roll call every weekend. Every Saturday and Sunday evening sees hordes of regular volunteers marching in to Kechara House, to help sort and pack the foodstuff to be later transferred into vans and cars for distribution to the homeless. The media has been very kind to us, highlighting the great job by KSK. This will help bring in the much need support in terms of all kinds of donation and help. If you would like to be part of this project, please get in touch with Justin at http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen
Yeah man! I agree with you JJ….the mother of all in KSK, Ruby Khong has made KSK or else Kechara known everywhere with leaps and bounds of growth. And now Kechara Soup Kitchen has its very own building in the middle of city, on Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur. Ruby works tirelessly to ensure the homeless are attended to and also networked to get KSK in the limelight for the bigger picture and projects of Kechara. This has in fact attracted the necessary government’s support and aids for KSK and the necessary media attention to spread the needed awareness … the plight of the urban poor and the homeless.
KSK is really in the news almost every other week! there are so much to be done for the homeless of our country and hopefully we can inspire for other people from other parts of the world to do the same.
Just on this blog page alone, u can see that we have such a diversed group of people contributing towards the good cause of KSK. We have high ministers who are enthusiastic in giving aid to the people. We have a working mother who doesn’t see her children much as she’s busy immersed herself attending to the needs of the homeless.
we have caucasians from the other side of the planet coming to help us every week without fail. People who speaks the same language of wanting to benefit regardless of its barriers are surely the language of the heart which can move mountains and dry up the seas!
So let’s wish everyone here is filled with happiness to be able to help others realize another new KSK somewhere in the neighboring states or countries
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
I must salute the Patron of KSK, Datuk Dr Victor Wee for his unflinching support of Buddhism in Malaysia and through his numerous roles in the government and elsewhere, he still makes time for Buddhist activities, hands on assisting and supporting various Dharmic causes and now KSK.
Rare are such distinguished Dharmadutas who come by and with the superb KSK team, many homeless and downtrodden have not only benefited but also rebuild back their lives and dignity. The country now has less of such unfortunate people in the streets thanks to the constant efforts of KSK in mobilising various parties within and without Kechara to realize this vision and mission born from the very heart of Rinpoche himself.
As I once recall reading on how someone was grumbling to Mother Teresa on how the poor have lorded over them and she retorted that the poor ARE OUR LORDS!
Its good that KSK is getting a lot of attention from the media and also the Malaysian government. The government recognizes the efforts KSK has put in to relieve the suffering of certain segment of society. I don’t think we should leave all social works to the government, like all governments everywhere it is a powerful machinery but there will always be certain gaps that the government will find it challenging to bridge. Plus it gives opportunities to more citizens to give back to the society. A homeless person, a vagrant, a destitute person is also a Malaysian. Our people, we must help them.
Shantideva’s motivational prayer is so powerful and it is read during every KSK session, and these verses lend so much strength to what the volunteers are doing. It is a blessing for all of us to be able to serve others. Who knows the people we are serving could have been our mothers before in a previous existence. What privilege it is to serve mother sentient beings.
Kechara Soup Kitchen has done such a good job that they have attracted the attention and support of the Malaysian national government as well as respected leaders of society such as Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (Women, Family and Community Development Minister ) and Datuk Dr. Victor Wee (Chairman of Tourism Malaysia).
Datuk Seri Shahrizat and Datuk Dr. Wee have worked very hard to gain their position and the respect of the public, and it is wonderful to see them using their position to promote a noble cause such as KSK.
With the support and backing of our country’s government and leaders, Kechara Soup Kitchen will continue their much needed work to help improve the lives of the homeless, for both the short and long term. We all live in the same society, let us all join hands to help our fellow countryman.
The Press has indeed been very kind and supportive to KSK. That makes me very happy. The media holds such influence and power over the masses – especially the tv, newspapers and radio. When the media uses their ‘power’ to do good by highlighting the plight of the homeless as in the case of KSK, they are already doing a great deal to spread awareness. Only then more people will learn about KSK and the situation of the homeless in their own city. Whenever I see media coming together with NGOs, it shows me that they care more than just reporting current affairs, gossip and politics. It shows me that they sincerely care about their community and would like to do something positive for their community. Social action becomes truly successful when all segments of society come together to help. It takes concerted effort, and not just dumping this civic responsibility unto the NGOs like KSK alone. We live in this city too. This affects us all. We are so fortunate that there are such selfless individuals working in Team KSK, under Rinpoche’s guidance. Without Team KSK, the voice of the homeless may never be heard and their stomachs will continue to go hungry. Thank you, KSK. Thanking all the media.
Sorry Quntien !
I like Quentien’s consistency ! Its a necessary trait required for spiritual practice .
May KSK serve as a model for other Dharma organizations…but more importantly, a model for ourselves.
Seeing this kind of Dharma-in action continually inspires me and reaffirms the choice of a life of service to the underdogs of this realm.
This reminds me of a few verses by Master Shantideva:
May I be a protector to those without protection,
A leader for those who journey,
And a boat, a bridge, a passage
For those desiring the further shore.
May the pain of every living creature
Be completely cleared away.
May I be the doctor and the medicine
And may I be the nurse
For all sick beings in the world
Until everyone is healed.
Just like space
And the great elements such as earth,
May I always support the life
Of all the boundless creatures.
And until they pass away from pain
May I also be the source of life
For all the realms of varied beings
That reach unto the ends of space.
KSK Boleh!