Valentina Suhendra is a devoted and sincere Indonesian lady whom I had met in 2006. It was the year before that when she came to Malaysia for one of her business trips. She came across one of our Kechara Paradise outlets and has since taken the personal initiative to spread the Dharma in any way that she can.

She is a highly intelligent woman. Holding two professional certifications: Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), she has worked in several industries within roles such as: Project Manager, IT Auditor, Internal Auditor, Business Process Consultant and Business Continuity Management Consultant. These are just to name a few!

At the same time, she runs several charity projects in Indonesia, including an orphanage renovation and maintenance programme, a student sponsorship programme, and animal welfare promotional activities.

Despite the fact that she currently works for one of the big four accounting firms – since meeting her, she has started a website (http://www.lamatsongkhapa.com) with her friend Betsy, began Kechara Soup Kitchen activities in Jakarta and is now working towards building a Kechara Information Center!!

This blog post will provide updates for Kechara Information Center construction… until the day of completion! Valentina will be sending in regular updates.

I am so proud of Valentina to get this whole place together and personally sponsored the renovation, with the support of her family.

Do return to this blog post time and time again. I rejoice for Kechara’s first information center in Indonesia!

Tsem Rinpoche

24 July 2011

Valentina:

I have made the first payment for the construction on 17 June 2011.  Several days later, the construction commenced. The steel construction took longer than the expected three weeks.  One of the reasons was a change of plans based on a discussion with the contractor, Pak Ngurah. I have decided to increase the steel quality from WR 150 to WR200 so that the mezzanine is able to bear the weight of heavy objects and to stand firm in the event of earthquake. I have made the second payment yesterday (23 July 2011).

This morning, I visited the Pejaten shelter where the steel construction took place.  The steel has been coated to prevent any possible corrosion.  The contractor and his team are in the setting process now. Once the setting process is completed (approximately 2 weeks), the steel will be brought to the future location of Kechara Information Center to be reconstructed.

This week will be busy as we have to clean up the location. Previously, I had also used this location to store used clothes that was collected from our KSK friends prior to food distribution.  My father also has his conquest of washing machines, refrigerators, air condition stored in this location. My father has a unique hobby of purchasing microwaves, washing machines, air condition, refrigerators and sometimes toilet bowls in his leisure time!

The next step will be to separate and sort out clean, used clothes and toys for our clients from last week.  Tomorrow, I will take a-one-day leave from my office, and we will start distributing the used clothes to the intended recipients (70 families in all – each family has around 4-9 children on average).  This entire process should be completed within this week.  My father will start moving his things next Saturday to make way for the on-site construction of the steel.

My father is very happy with the quality of steel and construction.  He plans to engage Pak Ngurah for other jobs as well.  My father also plans to sponsor toilet bowls, and sinks and some furniture for Kechara Information Center.  In addition, he plans to give his supply of aluminum to reduce the materials that I have to purchase.

For the moment, this is all the update that I can give. I will send updates on the construction from time to time.

Warm regards.

The steel beams are being coated to prevent them from being corroded.

The beams are being set up at Pejaten Shelter.

Update: 14 August 2011

The construction workers have started to make holes on location to serve as a foundation for the steel.

There were challenges with the items that are being stored on location, so the workers are required to constantly move these items whenever they want to dig new holes.

Update: 20 August 2011

Valentina:

On 20 August 2011, after many delays, the steel is being brought to the site and construction can begin.  My father belongings has been removed and he has kindly negotiated for a good price on the rubber parquet. I am able to envision what this place will look like – light, glass walls, beautiful Tsongkhapa altar, office, pantry, small library etc.

Warm regards.

The problems with the items being stored in the construction sites have been solved. All the steel has been transferred from Pejaten Shelter to the location and now in the process of being set up in the construction site.

Update: 26 August 2011

Valentina:

Yesterday, I paid the 3rd payment for finishing including the rubber parquet flooring, glass walls and the toilet.  It has been properly measured out now.  After reducing the space for stairs and entrance, we have about 40m² of space, excluding the toilet.

Next week, the workers will be off for their Muslim holiday.  They will start working again on 4 September 2011.  The contractor said that the finishing will take approx. 2 weeks, but based on experience, I have decided to double or triple the time required.

I will invite the interior designer on Saturday 10 September 2011 to start planning for furniture and the altar for the Lama Tsongkhapa statue.

Warm regards.

Most of the steel has been set up. The contractor has informed us that he needs to procure more steel and iron since there were some mistakes with the way the stairs were set up.

The contractor has also given the quotation for the cost of flooring, glass walls and doors, toilet foundation, repairing the pipe above the ceilings, etc. All these costs have been paid for on 24 August 2011.

11 September 2011

Valentina:

The workers have recommenced the construction process after the long Lebaran Holiday.

In the pictures depicted below, they are of the process of putting more steel in the corners as the shape of the property is not of a regular rectangle. In addition, they have also begun construction work on the stairs.

I am currently in discussions with the interior designers. I have expressed how I would like to have 2-3 space-efficient working desks and racks, a long book rack embedded within the wall (where I will store Dharma books), and a Lama Tsongkhapa altar.

The Lama Tsongkhapa altar will be a simple one with candles and flowers. In Indonesia, I am introducing Lama Tsongkhapa as a scholarly and highly intelligent being who has made countless contributions and has numerous great works contributing towards the peace and happiness of human kind.  He will appeal to a more secular audiences and not only strictly as a Buddhist deity.

My father will donate a new sofa from his furniture inventory. This is specially for Rinpoche if he chooses to visit. I plan for the audience to be seated on the floor. We will be using glass partitioning for the areas facing the main door and a glass door.

There will also be a set of computer equipment in KIC, and I have requested for my assistant to be trained by our webmaster Syntia so that KIC can upload our own articles in the future.

Warm regards.

The steel infrastructure to create another level.

The workers hard at work!

The workers fixing additional steel bars.

13 September 2011

Valentina:

The stairs have now been partially set up. Initially, I was a little upset when the contractor told me how the stairs were taking up too much space, however, I now understand. The stairs are of a rather sizable width.

I think that it will be nice to see people coming in and going up that stairs in the future. Most importantly, I would like to place a picture of Rinpoche on the wall somewhere along the stairs. As J.K. Rowling said, the power of imagination is important :)!

My father informed me today that there may be some problems in constructing the toilet as we need to make a hole outside the property that does not belong to my parents. If making those holes is possible, my father has offered to extend the space into the additional small room to the right of the construction site. This allows me to have bigger space. I will discuss this matter with the contractor tomorrow.

In addition, my father has kindly procured working desks for this center.

Warm regards.

The infrastructure of the stairs is finally built!

24 September 2011

Valentina:

The first level flooring can now be stepped on. I have just finished an initial meeting with an interior designer, Ms. Liana from Lavanda interior.  I have commissioned her to make Lama Tsongkhapa altar, book rack for the Dharma library, racks for my assistants, shoe rack, and drawer set for LCD TV and DVD player.

She has understood the general idea about what I want and will come up with a sketch and quotation by next Saturday for my approval. Next week, the contractor will continue building the construction for additional room and will install the glass wall.

Warm regards.

The first floor flooring can now be used.

It's very spacious.

Those walking up the steps can be seen.

The structure of the staircase has been completed. Now the planks of wood are being added on.

9 October 2011

Valentina:

We are moving forward with the construction of Kechara Information Center. We faced several challenges, but in general things are looking good.

This week, I was in close communication with the contractor to maximize every space that we got. We are doing this by moving the walls backwards, and pushing into the additional room. This area is still under my parents’ property.

The challenge of this week is: while we were pushing into the additional room, we found fire hydrants and other TV cables in the way (picture below). Thus, we may need to modify the wall a little bit. We just have to be a little more creative!

The fire hydrants and TV cables behind the extended wall.

I have started to search for furniture. Below are a list of items that I have procured:

1. Sofa and coffee table

I have been inspecting the furnitures in my parents’ warehouse. It was like going treasure hunting! I saw an antique sofa, and although it is fully covered with thick dust and in a bad condition, I could see the potential beauty and grandeur. I have never seen anything like it in any other modern furniture stores.

Next Monday, my assistant will start cleaning the sofa with a soft brush. In addition, a sofa restoration expert will do some repainting work, as well as change the fabric and foam of the sofa. The sofa comes with two matching side tables and a matching coffee table. I plan to order a few floor cushions from the same vendor.

Antique sofa to be restored to its former glory.

2. Italian granite altar for the Lama Tsongkhapa statue

My father took me to his old acquaintance’s premise, Mr. Salim. Mr. Salim happens to be the favorite furniture vendor of high officials back in President Soeharto’s era. He owns some old treasures that I could not take my eyes off!

Mr. Salim showed me a black Italian granite table which he had purchased from an Italian diplomat many years ago. The table measurement is 2 metres by 1 metre. It is quite strong and should be able to withstand the 40 kg Lama Tsongkhapa statue and the offerings that comes with it. I have purchased this table, as well as two onyx low desks for prayer reading (for those sitting on the floor) and some containers to hold small prayer items, such as malas.

3. Book rack for Dharma books

When I told him that I was looking for a book rack, Mr. Salim invited us to go to his house to show me a gold-plated book rack. He had imported it directly from Italy approx. 15 years ago – it still looks brand new! I instantly liked the book rack, and have procured it as well.

4. Crystal candles for Lama Tsongkhapa altar

I requested Mr. Salim to custom-make a pair of crystal candles for the Lama Tsongkhapa altar. He said yes! I’m very excited about this as Mr Slaim is someone who appreciates the finer things in life, has retired and doesn’t actually need to work! I really appreciate his agreement! I am going to his place again next Saturday to check out the custom-made crystal candles that he has prepared for my consideration.

5. Eight auspicious signs

I have procured eight auspicious signs for Lama Tsongkhapa’s altar.

6. Wallpaper and tiles

I have been in talks with the wallpaper and tile vendor. He happens to be one of my father’s tenants. I have chosen 5 types of wallpaper from him, they are for the pillar, working area, preparation and storage area, the main room and the wall facing the stairs.

The wall facing the stairs is where the Kechara logo will be installed when we are registered. We are under price negotiations with this vendor.

7. Curtain

The curtain vendor has completed the thick curtain previously ordered. He will complete the rest within two weeks as he has to go to Singapore to work on other projects.

8. Working desks, chairs, cubicles and filing cabinet

My father is taking care of this. We have the items already, they just need to be constructed.

Next week, the challenges are:

• To solve the fire hydrant and TV cable issue;
• Complete the construction work;
• Call the electricity guy;
• Seal a deal with the tile and wallpaper vendor.

In addition, I plan to go to Mr. Salim’s premise again. I very much enjoy the whole process!

Warm regards.

16 October 2011

Valentina:

Progress

• The gypsum wall in the ceilings, additional rooms and the place where the altar will be, have been installed.
• The safety railings in the glass wall facing the stairs have been installed.
• I had my assistant mark the place where the electricity plug-ins are to be installed.

This week we faced some progress and challenges relating to the construction of Kechara Information Center:

• Antique sofa – Sofa cleaning has been delayed, due to unforeseen circumstances.
• Fire sprinkler pipe and the TV cable – They are still hanging in the middle of the additional room.
• Crystal candles for Lama Tsongkhapa altar – The owner of the lamp store is currently on a holiday.

Next week, we will throw the remaining building materials, get a quote from the electricity guy and get the air condition installed. The wood will be installed on top of the iron railing that secure the stairs.

Warm regards.

The pipes exposed and hanging in the middle of the additional room.

Safety railings are fixed onto the walls.

23 October 2011

Valentina:

The followings are the progress and the challenges regarding the construction of Kechara Information Center’s:

Progress

• We have solved the issue with the water sprinkler. It is no longer hanging in the additional room.
• We may have found a solution regarding the TV cable. My father’s acquaintance, who happens to be a technician, has agreed to manage these cables.
• The white curtain is ready.
• I have commission a carpenter to make a book rack and preparation tables and hanging racks.
• I have purchased a pair of crystal lamps for Lama Tsongkhapa altar (picture below). These crystal lamps are custom-made for the altar to look like candles by my father’s friend.
• I have purchased a pair of desk lamp for the sofa coffee table (picture below).
• I have purchased a pair of lights that look like flowers for the walls near the bookshelf.
• I have discussed various finishing aspects with the contractor. The premise will be painted all white with Dulux pearl white weather shield. This may take another week or more because the walls need to be make even beforehand before the tiling can be installed.
• We have thrown away the remains of building materials.

Challenges

• My father has requested another additional room that can be made as a toilet in the future. This may cause the construction time to be a little longer, and also incurred additional costs. I have told the contractor to just work on the toilet door first, so it will not interfere with the finishing of the main hall.
• My father has also requested some renovation to be made on the ceiling because it currently does not appear aesthetically correct.
• The restoration of the antique sofa has still not commenced because the person who guards my father’s warehouse is still off sick.
• The installation of the air-conditions is currently delayed for no obvious reasons.
• The electricity guy still has not come, which is very frustrating.

That is the update from this week!

Warm regards.

Crystal lamp for Lama Tsongkhapa's altar.

Table lamp that will be by the sofa.

Wall lamp that will be by the bookshelf.

5 November 2011

Valentina:

• The TV cable that is on the way in the additional room has been removed
• The installation of the steel plates are in progress
• The wall painting is in progress (we use Dulux weathershield Brilliant White)
• Overall we will have 60 M of space when combined with the additional room

• Need to push a lot of people to work faster.
• Noted some imperfections in the wall painting.  I have asked the contractor to repaint it.

• Tile installation
• Complete the finishing
• Install the book rack and some furniture

Warm regards.

The installation of the steel plates are in progress.

20 November 2011

Valentina:

I have been experiencing delays mainly with the contractors, electricity people, and my father’s unfixed plan to move the furnitures from his warehouse to the Kechara Information Center.   Regardless, I have been doing serious talk with all these parties using wrathful and peaceful means to get things going.

The followings are the progress that have been achieved so far.

• The antique sofa has been restored.  I just want to paint some gold in it – will do next week together with my assistants
• The wall pictures have been framed and mostly installed.  These are pictures from our Jakarta activities related to KAS and KSK ID
• The tiling have been installed in most of the floor
• TV rack has arrived at the premise
• DVD player and 40” internet TV have been delivered to my house and to be installed hopefully next week
• The electricity installation is partially completed
• The custom made bookshelf, preparation tables and rack have been installed.  The carpenter is now doing the finishing work

Pending matters:

• Completing electricity installation
• Completing the finishing of book shelf’s, preparation tables and rack
• Having the imported furniture delivered next week
• Having the rest of the furniture (i.e. cabinet, employee locker, 2 2pk aircon, working desk and cubicle, sofa coffee table) from my father’s warehouse delivered
• Retouching the wall painting
• Retouching the sofa gold painting
• Complete the installation of wall pictures
• Install the curtain

40″ TV that will be used to play Rinpoche’s videos.

Deciding where to put the photo frames.

The photo frames arranged on the wall.

A beautiful sofa set.

The sitting area.

The bookshelf installed into the wall.

1 January 2011

My dearest Lama

I wish you a happy new year! I would like to make a new year offering of the Kechara Information Center in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Our address is:

Kechara Information Center
Apt. Slipi Tower I, Lobby Unit T-1 Mezzanine
Jl. S. Parman Kav. 22-24
Jakarta 11480

This premise is located near business district of Sudirman and Kuningan with many alternative roads. The premise provides:

•  Mini Tsongkhapa Library
• The grand Tsongkhapa altar
• Living room where the guests can watch your teachings in 40” LCD TV.
• Filing Cabinet with glass door to store all the gifts you consigned to me. It will be for your convenient use when you visited.
• Drawer in the back of Tsongkhapa altar where the floor cushions are kept
• Working area where all the administration of Kechara activities in Jakarta (Kechara Soup Kitchen Indonesia, Kechara Animal Sanctuary Indonesia, and the updates of Lamatsongkhapa.com will be centralized
• Pantry with refrigerators and multipurpose cabinets.

I wish for the Dharma class to be held by Kechara pastors in this premise in the near future, and for this place to benefit many beings.

I dedicate the merits obtained from setting up this place for three beings that are most precious to me: My father, Anwar Suhendra, my mother, Ong Dewi, and my dog, Gizmo Om Mani Peme Hung.

Much love and care,
Valentina Suhendra

Grand Tsongkhapa Altar

Kechara Signboard

Living Room

Main Hall

Mini Tsongkhapa Library

Rinpoche’s gift section

Working area

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