Homelessness in Malaysia
A homeless elderly man named Cheong Kuan sleeps all alone in the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur.
Across the globe, homelessness affects people of all ages, color and creed, and both genders. It is near impossible for a country’s administration to ascertain the true number of homeless people in their country, for some people may find themselves literally out in the streets the next day.
The reasons for homelessness vary from riches to rags, domestic quarrels, being disowned by the family or running away from home to escape physical or sexual abuse. This includes older people being kicked out from their homes after they willed their property over to their next of kin, individuals being asked to leave home for continued substance abuse or for stealing from their family, or being cheated by so-called employment agencies or persons with the promise of lucrative job offers but left stranded after they arrived at their destination. These victims could have used up their life savings to pay for the agency’s fees or worse still, could have borrowed money for the fees and travelling expenses.
Kuala Lumpur is estimated to have about 2,000 homeless people in 2016 but the actual figure could be much higher.
In 2004/2005, the founder of Kechara, His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, together with some friends started regularly distributing about 15 packets of food to the homeless in Kuala Lumpur. Those were the humble beginnings of Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) and its motto, ‘Hunger Knows No Barriers’, aptly describes the services it provides to the less fortunate.
Tsem Rinpoche knows how it is to be homeless. When he was a teenager growing up in America, he had experienced homelessness there. He left his foster parents’ home in New Jersey, and hitchhiked to Los Angeles, California. He had little money and had to resort to sleeping in parks and under bridges. Many times, he went without food for the day. As such, Rinpoche always says not to judge people or ask why they are homeless, but to offer them food, show them care and compassion. After all, they are people, just like us.
Rinpoche with Kechara Soup Kitchen’s committee
Today KSK serves an average of 12,000 sets of food in a month. Each set consists of vegetarian food, bottled water, biscuits and fruit.
Weekdays see the homeless queuing for their meals at KSK’s premises in downtown Kuala Lumpur. And while having their meals, they can have their laundry done and dried within the premises. KSK is very thankful to all its sponsors for the building, vans, food truck, food and monetary contributions. And also importantly, many thanks to the volunteers who turn out in the dozens each Saturday night to help distribute food to the clients’ doorsteps (which they call home). Their home could be the pavement, bus stops and terminals, beneath bridges or any place they can find a decent roof over their heads.
To become a volunteer, one has to be at least 18 years old and must attend an orientation briefing conducted by a KSK staff or volunteer team leader in KSK’s office premises. Visual aids like slides and videos are used to explain the dos and don’ts before going out into the streets for food distribution. Some of the homeless are sensitive to new faces and may take offence when new volunteers approach.
First time volunteers being briefed before hitting the streets for food distribution
The homeless are used to living life on the streets and they value their freedom, preferring it to living in shelters and homes run by authorities or NGOs. They may mistake the volunteers as government officers out to nab them. Some homeless are drug addicts and may be very insistent when their demands are not met. There are also ageing prostitutes and it would not be ideal for new volunteers to interact with them during their first time on the streets. So, to ensure the safety of the volunteers, KSK staff request they wear KSK tshirts, proper footwear, no jewelry and expensive handbags, no giving of cash or other items apart from what is already prepared, and not to wander off alone while on the streets. New volunteers will be under the supervision of a seasoned volunteer or KSK staff.
In addition to serving food, KSK’s volunteer doctors provide free medical check ups, wound dressings, and non-prescription medication to the clients. Serious cases will be sent to the nearest hospital for further evaluation or admission. The team of doctors are selfless and are always available for the clients. KSK even had eyewear companies giving out glasses prescribed by their opticians.
Volunteer doctors treat the homeless in our mobile clinic every weekend
Other services provided by KSK and its volunteers are free haircuts, hand-me-down clothes, handbags, shoes, books, children’s toys and diapers, electrical and household items. Another area of service is to assist clients to replace their lost documents through application at relevant government departments. Job interviews are also arranged for clients willing to work. KSK also helps to reconnect some clients with their families.
Kechara Soup Kitchen volunteers talking to a client who woke up from his sleep
The important next to-do on the KSK committee’s list as its medium-term goal is to expand on the existing food bank programme which runs on donated surplus food given by sponsors who own food businesses. This helps to reduce food wastage and benefits the needy. The donated food is also distributed among other NGOs who in turn hand them out to their clients. This ensures surplus food from sponsors does not go to waste. And because of this kind food sponsorship, KSK’s premises is bursting at its seams.
The long-term objective of KSK is to set up a nurture centre to arm the homeless and those below the poverty line with the necessary skills for them to secure jobs. The plan is to have basic infrastructure including clean water and electricity, classes cum workshops, a hostel and a canteen. The objective is not to give free handouts to the homeless but to reintroduce them back into society with their dignity intact.
Our soup kitchen provides free meals to the homeless everyday
KSK has a branch in Penang with committed volunteers serving the homeless, and a kind group of volunteers in Johor Bahru doing the same.
KSK’s committee members appeal to kind sponsors to generously donate in making our wish list a reality. For more details, please contact +603 2141 6046 or email ksk@kechara.com.
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Sad to see those homeless people and now with the pandemic , it is even more . Thousands of homeless people were housed in temporary shelters during Malaysia’s COVID-19 lockdown . We have to face and accept them they exist every where. Its true that the homeless and the people living on the streets, and many off them much as the thought might create discomfort and uneasiness among many of us. Occasionally, we might come across one sleeping on the pavement, smelly, begging, sitting on pavements with a vacant look in their eyes, walking with a sack and on the lookout for foods. Many have returned to the streets and are now living hand-to-mouth….
H. E Tsem Rinpoche knows how it is to be homeless as he had experienced homelessness while teenager back in US. Tsem Rinpoche then set up Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) to distribute warmed foods from 15 packets to thousands . With many volunteers helping up during the distribution in downtown Kuala Lumpur . Not only serves foods , giving free hair cuts and KSK’s volunteer doctors provide free medical check ups, wound dressings. These are some of the services provided. KSK team has done a wonderful jobs. The homeless deserves a much more caring society. Thanks to KSK team and volunteers , keep it up.
Thank you Rinpoche and and Pastor Henry for this sharing.
Homelessness is not a choice .They end up on streets for many reasons like being chased out or drug addicts.KSK doing such a great job by giving them food,medical care and kindness.
By helping the homelessness people to getting jobs or opportunity,we can create a caring and compassionate circle of life in our country.Best wishes KSK and thank so much for this good article.
Another indication of how KSK seeks to think for the benefit and from the perspective of those in need, (apart from the focusing on the small details like providing meals which can last longer for them) is how KSK always seeks to expand other services with the aim of, as much as possible, (i) integrating those on the streets back to society and (ii) preventing those at the verge poverty to be forced to the streets.
Hence, we see services like medical aids, food banks, basic sanitary services eg haircut, facilities to wash their clothes, replacement of IC, even aid (time, money and effort) to locate and reunite some on the streets with their loved ones etc.
Further, not only does KSK give immediate relief, KSK also focuses on the long-term welfare of those in need by creating avenues where they can sustain themselves long term, such as assistance to find jobs, teaching them skills such as sewing blankets or making rugs etc. Apparently, there are even plans for a proper job training centre in the pipeline.
In addition, the expansion of KSK has resulted in the participation of more and more volunteers which also serve to spread awareness and also helps to clear up the misconceptions about homelessness and poverty.
Thank you, Rinpoche and Pastor Henry for sharing this article and for the continuous great work with KSK.
One of the main thing I like about Kechara Soup Kitchen is her consistency in helping the homeless, and also her quick adaptation to work with other soup kitchens.
Through my years of volunteering in KSK, I find that there are quite a number of other individuals who give out food on an occasional basis. I am not saying this is bad, but the lack of consistency can sometimes cause over supply of food to homeless and caused wastage. I feel those who wish to give out food on individual basis should work with KSK or start distributing food outside of KL so that there is no wastage.
To counter over supply of food, KSK did adapt. KSK gave out food such as sandwiches or burger which can be kept longer, so that in case the homeless received hot food such as rice, they can keep the burger until morning without going bad. This is very thoughtful and practical.
I wish KSK success with their food bank project, and their ultimate goal of setting up a job training centre to get even more people off the streets!
Homelessness is a social issue affecting many countries around the world, and a bit more common in developed and developing countries. It is a problem of urban societies and communities.
What KSK does is to give ‘consistently’ and that is regardless of rain or shine, public holiday or otherwise. It is a form of supreme giving by the committees, volunteers of KSK. And they do this year on year without fail, without wanting or needing anything back from the people they are assisting, one exception could be KSK might want the KSK clients from now henceforth to take care of themselves better, and if there is an opening or chance to be better to also take that action to be a better person.
Mostly we hear about successes and but I am sure KSK has it share of challenges and also times when things don’t turn out well, and KSK people they absorb that suffering and they still carry on their mission for their clients. This to me is the supreme form of giving.
Homeless had been frowned upon in this and other countries because they are seen as parasites of the society, leading many to jump to their conclusion or pass judgement quickly. But thankfully, with the loving kindness of His Eminence the 25th Tsem Rinpoche, the homeless are not neglected. Kechara Soup Kitchen was founded by His Eminence and established with the sole purpose to feed them and if possible, to re-home them too. Thank you to all the hard work by members of Kechara Soup Kitchen, 2000 homeless within Kuala Lumpur were fed and attended to in 2016 alone. Thank you very much Pastor Henry for this article and thank you Rinpoche for giving us a chance to help the less fortunate.
About 11 years ago , the food distribution is started with about 15 packets of food to the homeless in Kuala Lumpur. Now, KSK serves an average of 12,000 sets of food in a month. This shows that they are more generous people to get involved in this good deeds. But on the other side, it showed more people are needed for help.
For those are interested to be a volunteer, may consider to join KSK. It is opened for everyone but the volunteer has to be at least 18 years old and must attend an orientation briefing conducted by a KSK staff or volunteer team leader in KSK’s office premises. Besides, KSK also seeking for kind sponsors to generously donate in making KSK’s wish list a reality.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Henry sharing this and hope this will inspire more people become more generous in kind of monetary or dedicate their time and efforts to become a volunteer.
It is great effort done by KSK team. From a small team it has now grown so much to help those living in the street in so many ways. It is our responsible to help the needy as we are all human. Many of them live in the street not because the do not want or lazy to work but due to them being conned and stranded in the big city. It is heart wrenching to hear their stories.
KSK not only provide basic help like food and water but also help get them job so they can be independent again. This is important to help them get out from this cycle.
May there be more volunteers and financial support coming in consistently to KSK so they can reach out to many more.
KSK is doing a fantastic job by helping the homeless people of Malaysia.
The homeless people often find themselves on the streets due to, Lack of money, drug addiction, and mistreatment by family members, as such it is important for us to try and help these people up and hopefully get them back to society.
I really hope that KSK will be able to keep up the good work and help benefit more homeless people in Malaysia.
All of us go through ups and downs throughout our life. Sometimes we just need a helping hand to pull us back up. This is what Kechara Soup Kitchen is about. Kechara’s community service arm is making waves to helping the homeless.
We encourage people from all walks of life to experience what it’s like to extend some care and kindness to others who are at the lowest time of their life. You may realise how we take the most basic things for granted. Most of us in Malaysia are blessed with a roof over our head, a clean bed to sleep on, clean water to drink and having more than 1 meal a day. Our clients on the streets can only dream of it.
May Kechara Soup Kitchen continue to provide hope to the destitute and inspire others to reach out to the less fortunate.
Whenever we mention about homeless, images that immediately come to our mind could be people walking on the street, smelly, dirty, hungry, obnoxious or drunk. We might not know the real reason behind why these homeless end up on the street. There are many factors leading to them taking to the streets for refuge, e.g. drug addiction, alcoholism, gambling, mentally illness, and jobless, abandoned by family, or runaway from home.
We might think that they should be responsible for what they did to lead them to the street. In fact, they should. But we might not understand what kind of hardship or dark passage they had experienced in life. Hence we have no right to judge them. Many of the homeless are rejected by family & society, where they feel like a burden & feel hopeless in the world. It’s a big step for them to crawl out from the predicament and to regain their self-esteem to face the challenge in life again.
There are small steps we can do for them, by exercising empathy, by remembering the humanity of each man or woman we see on the street, to treat them with dignity. Or we can take a bigger step to be a volunteer, or to donate to NGOs like KSK, to channel the proper help required, to eventually assist the homeless to find a job and to go back to family and society again.
“Hunger Knows No Barrier”. Beautiful motto……the services it provides to the less fortunate,Well said..Kechara Soup Kitchen” (K.S.K) founded by our Guru Rinpoche to serves the homeless with foods as Rinpoche know well how it is like without food and shelter.Other services provided by KSK are free haircuts, free medical check ups, wound dressings and so forth.Its great to know more and more volunteers joining KSK to see for themselves and to serve the homeless.Hopefully more homeless will be taken off the streets with the help of KSK and more to benefit from KSK.
Thank you Pastor Henry for sharing this article.
Thank you Pastor Henry for sharing with us on KSK. KSK is really doing a good job for the homeless and urban poor family in Malaysia because this are the group of people who desperately need help and in most of the time our government has not enough man power to do all these welfare work for the needy so with KSK come along it will help to ease out a lot of problems that this homeless face and some of them are capable to work which KSK will help them to look for a job so that they live independently without the support from KSK, thats is really a very meaningful task.
As the saying goes,”Compassion knows no barriers.” It is in this spirit, that our compassionate Rinpoche is said to have use the community action arms of Kechara to organise and start off in 2004/2005, “Kechara Soup Kitchen” (K.S.K) Despite the early days of suffering of abuse, loneliness, Homeless, hunger, starvation and the experiences of sleeping alone desolately, on the streets during that time of his journey from New Jerseys to Los Angeles, yet, Rinpoche haboured absolutely no resentment nor sadness! Instead, using those suffering painful experiences, he has transformed those harrowing experiences of starvation and sleeping on the streets into one of incredible light and Happiness for others. Our Rinpoche has always put the needs of others before self! Through Kechara, Rinpoche will do whatever it takes to relieve the sufferings of others, and always will help to extend food to the homeless, the old, infirm, abused, orphans and the less fortunate! He has also taught and shown to us that the act of giving also develops within us the virtue of generosity, which is the direct antidote to miserliness and counter attachments, which is a source of suffering! A great many thanks to Pastor Henry Ooi, and his hard-working team for heading, carring and managing Kechara Soup Kitchen(KSK) in delivering food, medical aids and other needy services to the homeless and urban poor of Malaysia! Heartfelt appreciation should also be expressed to the kind-hearted sponsors and generous contributors as well, for all their merciful donations made in relieving the sufferings and hardships of the homeless poor and desolute! Om Mani Padme Hum.
KSK has been a boon not just in helping to stave off hunger for a night or a day. I’ve seen these volunteers give medical aid, help them replace documents like identity cards, help them get shelter at homes and most important of all, help them get a job and reintegrate into society.
And, then there is the food bank where KSK helps the urban poor by helping with basic food items while they get back on their feet.
KSK has been doing a good job of embodying the motto “Hunger Knows No Barrier”. There are also those whom KSK has helped and they themselves are now volunteers showing how much they appreciate what KS has done for them.
Thank you, Pastor Henry for this sharing and for the great work of KSK.
Thank you Pastor Henry for writing and sharing the article about homelessness in Malaysia. This article will definitely give the most truthful facts about being homeless and how we can help the homeless people on the streets. Usually, almost everyone will try to avoid or stay further away whenever there is any homeless people loitering around within the vicinity with the thought of these homeless people can just be treated as someone who is bad and they will commit all sorts of crime but in fact, they are not.
As this article has clearly explained to us that there are many reasons why these people ended up in homeless condition without getting all the basic necessities. The homeless people do not want to sleep on the streets at night and they do not want to get hunger all the times without getting shower for days, weeks or months. They have no other choice due to many reasons such as being in deep depression, being unwanted by their own family members, having criminal records and not getting hired for a job and many more reasons which we may not even realize at this point of time.
Since the homeless people are not criminal, they will not hurt us or do any harms onto us, they need our help in both physical and mental aspects. Kechara Soup Kitchen, which was founded by H.E. the 25th Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, can provide all the guidelines and methods on how to approach and help the homeless people in Malaysia. By helping and lifting up the homeless people back into society with jobs or opportunities for them to survive on their own, we can create a caring and compassionate circle of life in our country.
Thank you with folded hands,
kin hoe
Thank you Pastor Henry for your sharing on KSK.
Every KSK client has their own stories how they become homeless. But their stories are not important, what is important is how we can help them. Feeding them food is the first step to help them to overcome their hunger and is also a way to gain trust from them so that KSK will be able to help them further. KSK has growed so much that from only feeding at the initial stage till now, they can provide other services such as free medical assistance to the homeless, reconnect back to their family, finding them a job & etc. The success of KSK is the join efforts of a great leadership, committed staff, volunteers and generous sponsors. May KSK have the necessary and continous support to help the homeless.
This is a very meaningful service that KSK is providing to the society especially to the homeless who are now receiving food, medical care & kindness which they have lost the moment they are out on the street.
Like a beacon of light, KSK, the volunteers & sponsors radiate hope & joy to these unfortunate souls who could have disappear over time on the face of the society unnoticed by anyone.
The idea of training & nurturing the homeless with the necessary skill & confidence for them to be out of the street & back on their own is very practical. It is beneficial to both the homeless & society as it helps to reduce the number of homeless & restore a sense of purpose to their lives. I believe KSK is a community service that not only bring hope & joy to the homeless but also the people serving the homeless.
Thank you Pastor Henry for sharing this meaningful life experience.
Thank you Pastor Henry for this informative article about the reality of homelessness in Malaysia and the relief work that Kechara Soup Kitchen does and especially the exposure that KSK brings to urban poverty in Malaysia. There are those that criticize such work by saying that it encourages homelessness and the urban poor to rely on handouts. But these are empty talk because apathy is not a solution to the urban problem of homelessness and the urban poor. I think some of the programs run by KSK is incredible like the food bank and the attempts to introduce jobs and get them off the streets. Such great work by Pastor Henry and his team at Kechara Soup Kitchen.
Thank you Pastor Henry for sharing this article. It takes a very big courage to be homeless also. I actually ever thought of doing it one night, experience what the clients experience sleeping on the street. But, in the end, I gave up this thought. It really takes a very big courage to sleep on the street. Can we imagine, most of them have no choice but to end up sleeping on the street? And, it’s not only for one or two nights, but for don’t know how long? We in Kechara Soup Kitchen have only one hope, to assist as many clients as possible, and to get as many clients as possible to be off the street and get shelter. With this, we really need to thanks to those sponsors who sponsor the building, food, truck, van, monitory assistance, and all the things we have for the clients. It is indeed not easy to help them off the streets and to help reduce the number of clients, but we will do our best in this. For as long as space remains, for as long as sentient beings remain, until then may I too remain, to dispel the miseries of he world. _/\_
Thank you so much Pastor Henry for sharing the many wonderful Dharma teachings of HE 25th Tsem Rinpoche, in particular about Kechara Soup Kitchen.
It is indeed a big challenge to run KSK in its entirety and with the growing list of volunteers (full and part time), the noble deeds of KSK has certainly reached a wide segment of Malaysian and overseas society.
Lastly, this is another teaching (in real life) of Compassion In Action, aka, CIA.
Humbly yours,
Lum Kok Luen
Thank you Pastor Henry for highlighting this article. Homelessness is not a choice. These homeless people end up on the streets due to the many reasons from being chased out from home, drug addicts, being cheated by employer, etc. KSK do need a lot of volunteers to help in the food distribution, send foodbank groceries to the poor and urban families, food preparation and also admin works. KSK is grateful to have the ever supportive sponsors donating food items and also cash donations.
With folded palms,
Vivian