Chairman of AmBank Group for KSK!
Last year on Sept 24th, Tan Sri Azman Hashim (Chairman of Ambank Group), Tuan Syed Annuar (Director of Corporate Public Affairs for Ambank Group) and Datuk Dr Victor Wee (Chairman of Tourism Malaysia and Patron of Kechara Soup Kitchen) came to visit KSK’s new building off Jalan Imbi! Invited by Dato’ Ruby Khong (President of KSK), Justin and Siong Woan arranged the event and it was supported by all of my liaisions, Wong Kwok Wai, Khor, volunteers and a few homeless volunteers! Kechara Soup Kitchen is one of the beloved 13 Depts of Kechara (www.kechara.com).
This is the first time that these three men have taken a look at the inside of the building and gone on a mini tour of the post-renovated place. Although it felt like a soft opening, the actual purpose for them being present was for a media briefing…as the people of KSK wanted to let the public know their support and generosity.
Ambank Group is the sponsor for KSK’s building renovation. When Tuan Syed Annuar first went on the KSK rounds (i.e. packing the food and giving the food packets to those sleeping on the streets of KL), he was very inspired by the work that KSK was doing that he pledged to sponsor the renovations’ cost. Tan Sri was amazed at how much can be achieved with such a small team!
KSK has clearly not stopped inspiring, as Tan Sri Azman Hashim was said to be very impressed with the renovation and more so that SO SO much is done with only with 3 full-time staff!!! He expressed how organized the KSK team are and PLEDGED HIS SUPPORT TO DO AN EXTENSION OF THE 1st FLOOR!! This pledged would be a monetary sum of RM120,000!
Dato’ Ruby Khong (President of KSK), Justin Cheah (Project Director) and Chuah Siong Woan (Treasurer) are those 3 full-time staff who really make things happen. They work non-stop and put all of their time and energy towards helping others.
According to Tan Sri Azman Hashim staffs’, they passed comment to some of the KSK staff and volunteers on how Tan Sri usually never stays at an event for as long as he did yesterday! His staff was quite amazed that he had stayed and implied that it meant that he enjoyed himself a lot! He praised Ruby on how she has gotten so many sponsors to help support the soup kitchen and accredited that to her personality: that it attracts people to want to help and to be part of a good cause.
Besides going on a mini tour, Tan Sri Azman Hashim and
Dr Victor Wee also participated in food distribution to the homeless. About 90-100 clients came that day…it was quite special as they also received a goodie bag from AmBank! This followed with the signing of the plaque (for the building) which states “renovation sponsored by AmBank”…this plaque was sponsored by Wong Kok Wai, a committee member of KSK.
After watching the KSK documentary video and listening to the upcoming KSK song, a press conference was held where Datuk Ruby started it by giving an explanation of KSK’s history and work. She also explained how the tagline “Hunger knows no barriers” came about..
After the event, all those at KSK expressed how those from AmBank was very friendly, down-to-earth and warm. They’re not the typical people that others portray bankers to be..how close-knit and genuine they were pleasantly surprised everyone.
There are many, many good people around. Everyone wants to help, and everyone finds the joy out of helping others..especially when it is towards those less fortunate than ourselves.
All of my liaisons attended the closed event. It looked really fun and I’m glad that they could join in and support the KSK team as well.
Tsem Rinpoche
Media following and documenting the event
Datuk Ruby (left) explaining the use of the kitchen, how the food is prepared etc…here they are having a little laugh!
Datuk Ruby explaining to Tan Sri Azman Hashim the type of packaging used to distribute the food
Tan Sri Azman Hashim, Datuk Dr Victor Wee and Tuan Syed Annuar takes a look at photos of other patrons and supporters of KSK
Datuk Ruby explains the use of the laundry area, and how KSK caters to helping the homeless do their laundry so that they get dry, clean clothes daily
Datuk Ruby explaining the reason behind the simple and sturdy furniture in the building
Explaining the KSK mural…they’re photos of KSK’s homeless clients
AmBank director speaking to (right to left) Siong Woan, Karen Leu and Julia Tan (KSK staff)
Tan Sri Azman Hashim (in a cap) passing out food to one of KSK’s homeless clients..
As a patron of KSK, Datuk Dr Victor Wee is no stranger to this kind act…he has been on many food distribution rounds before!!
During the press conference, Datuk Ruby (on the far left) speaks about her inspiration, KSK works and thanks AmBank as the sponsors of the building’s renovation
Tan Sri Azman Hashim signing the KSK plaque..!
The plaque was then put up within the building. Posing with it here is the sponsor of the plaque itself, Wong Kwok Wai
Datuk Ruby showing her appreciation towards Tan Sri Azman Hashim with a heartfelt gift. It’s of a Swarovski crystal rabbit..!
Datuk May Phng (far left, President of Kechara House) having a chat with Tan Sri Azman Hashim over lunch at the 1st floor of the KSK building!
Also present at the luncheon was JP Thong, Henry Ooi, Julia Tan, Phng Li Kim and Irene Lim and other AmBank directors. Here they spoke more about Kechara as an organization.
One of my liaisons Sharon Saw (also senior editor of KMP) takes a photo with one of KSK’s homeless clients, Charlene
A group photo with Datuk Ruby Khong (3rd from left) with Tuan Syed Annuar (far left), Tan Sri Azman Hashim (4th from left), Datuk Dr Victor Wee (5th from left) and friends
Update: 25 September 2010
Wow, the press sure gets news fast! This event came out in The Star newspaper the very next day! It talks about how as part of AmBank’s Corporate Social Responsibility, that AmBank sponsored KSK’s building renovations. It’s a well-written article, and if anyone got their hands on it…the new KSK’s building address is on there hehe
Please support us so that we can continue to bring you more Dharma:
If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
DearRinpoche,
I am very glad that KSK has managed to attract Ambank to sponsoring KSK’s new building.
It is very nice of them to be so open and kind, without them it would have been very hard for us to find the money to pay for the renovations of our new building.
Thank you so much Ambank for your kindness and sponsorship!
Love
Jutika
And AmBank didn’t stop at just sponsoring in monetary term, their staff join KSK’s Saturday midnight food distribution rounds regularly, bringing their family along.
Last night, Mdm LC Foo from AmBank Group and her family (including her 7-year old girl) helped in food packing and they told us they WILL BE BACK !!
Thank you Rinpoche, it is due to your kindness and guidance that so many KSK clients are being taken care of and so many volunteers found an avenue to help others!
With folded hands,
Siong Woan