KSK Officially Opens in Penang!
At 9.50am, on 20/08/2011, Kechara Soup Kitchen (Penang) was officially opened! The Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Lim Guan Eng, graced us with his presence and officiated KSK’s new soup kitchen building.
Together with his wife, Betty Chew, and son, YAB Lim Guan Eng arrived at KSK Penang at 9.45am. There to greet him were KSK’s Patron Datuk Dr Victor Wee (Chairman of Malaysian Tourism Board), Dato’ Ruby Khong (President of KSK), Patsy Gooi (Branch Director of KSK Penang), Mr and Mrs Lim Thien Phong (Honorary Secretary of the Malaysian Buddhist Association and his wife), Mr Tan Leong Theng (Director of Ambank in the Northern Region), Mr Ng Wei Aik (Penang State Assemblyman for Komtar) and the entire KSK committee from KL.
The committee had all come the night before to help set up and prepare… what a great show of support for Patsy and her group of volunteers in Penang!
YAB Lim Guan Eng cut the ribbon to officiate the opening, and proceeded into the building to sign the plaque. At 10am, Dato Ruby Khong gave her opening speech. She thanked Patsy for her hard work and for KSK Penang’s success so far. She also thanked Mr Lim Hun Swee for sponsoring the rental of the building.
The building is over 100 years old, and without Mr CK Lim (the contractor, whom she also thanked), it would not be as functional as it is today. From the inside, it’s barely noticeable that the building is over a century old!
Dato’ Ruby Khong says that the opening of a KSK soup kitchen in Penang shows that people are serious about fighting the problems associated with homelessness in Malaysia. She hopes that more people will step forward onto the same path.
At 10.10am, YAB Lim Guan Eng gave his opening speech. He mentioned that this was the 2nd Kechara function that he has attended – both of them being for KSK! He thanked Mr Lim Hun Swee and Patsy Gooi again who shows by example to other Penangites that charity and compassion know no boundaries. He recognized that there are also other voluntary groups that do help Penang citizens as well… and he advised those present to remember to not only feed the hungry and give hope, but to show to all the less fortunate that there are still people who care.
He says that KSK is a creditable effort to take care of the poor, “The world can be very cruel. The world can be very dark, and when someone shows that they care it’s like shining a light. And that’s way for all of you here who are involved in this effort, I’d like to say congratulations for shining a light no matter how tiny as it is. At least there’s a light. I think that it’s this light that Penang punches forward. Lets shine the line, let it light up your life, and I’m sure you’ll be delightful.”
After his speech, the KSK team played the video that I had pre-recorded for all those who attended the opening. Then on behalf of Tsem Ladrang, Dato’ Ruby Khong offered a bouquet of flowers to Mrs Betty Chew and a token of appreciation to YAB Lim Guan Eng.
It is so nice to see this Kechara department expanding because it means that less people will go to sleep hungry every night. Patsy Gooi has worked very hard to make KSK Penang open. At times it seems like she’s running a one-man crusade in Penang hehe… may KSK Penang grow and help those who, like YAB Lim Guan Eng says, need a light in their lives. The light that comes from the care we feel for others.
I have added a few photos below of the event, as well as a video that was made by Citizen Journalist Malaysia. They had come to cover the event, and made a video about it. It’s because of the press that many people know about KSK. More awareness means more volunteers, more sponsorship and a greater ability to help more people. Thank you!
Tsem Rinpoche
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/KSK-Penang-Official-Opening1080.mp4
KSK’s new building in Penang!
On behalf of Kechara, we thank YAB Lim Guan Eng for taking time out of his busy schedule to officiate KSK.
The KSK team! (left to right) Karen Leu (Secretary of KSK), Chua Siong Woan (Treasurer of KSK), Dato’ Ruby Khong (President of KSK), Datuk Dr Victor Wee (Patron of KSK, Chairman of Malaysian Tourism Board), Patsy Gooi (Director of KSK Penang) and Julia Tan (Vice-President of KSK).
Flowers from Mr and Mrs Lim Tien Phong.
Flowers from Tsem Ladrang.
(left to right) Datin Annie, Irene Lim (Director of Kechara Oasis), Datuk Dr Victor Wee, Dato’ Ruby Khong, Mrs Lim Tien Phong, Mr Lim Tien Phong (Honorary Secretary of Malaysian Buddhist Association), Patsy Gooi and Paul Yap (Head of Kechara Saraswati Arts, Kechara Blooms and Kechara Discovery)
Datuk Dr Victor Wee with Tan Leong Theng (Director of Ambank in the Northern Region) and Mr and Mrs Lim Tien Phong.
Lim Guan Eng arriving at the building with his wife, Betty Chew and son.
Cutting the ribbon…
… it’s officially open!
Lim Guan Eng signing the plaque inside the building.
Dato’ Ruby Khong giving her opening speech.
The crowd and media listening.
In the forefront is Ms Han (Head of Kechara InMotion) filming the opening.
YAB Lim Guan Eng giving his opening speech.
Patsy Gooi answering questions from the media.
My pre-recorded speech to thank everyone who has been involved in the efforts to make KSK a weekly activity in Penang.
Patsy answering more questions. The press wanted to know at what times they’re open, how many packets get given out etc etc
Datuk Dr Victor Wee giving YAB Lim Guan Eng a token of appreciation.
Dato’ Ruby Khong giving YAB Lim Guan Eng a token of appreciation.
A photo with the bouquet of flowers from Tsem Ladrang to Mrs Betty Chew.
The press asks more questions about KSK!
Lim Guan Eng then takes a few questions…
These are bags that contain hot and dry food for the homeless.
YAB Lim Guan Eng gives out a few packets to the urban poor who were waiting outside the building.
He continues to give…
Patsy (white, center) with her team of volunteers. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, they will help to serve food at this building.
A photo of 3 sisters who believe in doing more for others.
(left to right) Mr Tan Leong Theng (Director of Ambank in the Northern Region), Datin Annie and Datuk Dr Victor Wee.
Patsy’s family is very supportive of her efforts in helping those who are less fortunate than themselves.
Mr Gooi Soon Lee is proud of his wife who spends most of her time doing everything that she can to help others.
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wow, i am so happy. now so many more homeless people can get food and be happy with some food. please always finish your food because some people do not even have any.
good job ksk,thousands of thanks on behalf of all penangites.
would like to ask for ksk penang contact no.
the poor n the hungry will always remember your good deeds.
om mani padme hung.
Rejoice for KSK Penang, thanks ur all effort to feed the homeless at Penang. And congratulation to Dato Ruby, with ur guidance and leadership of Patsy KSK sure will growth to benefits more…
Congratulation to KSK Penang , I am really rejoice KSK Penang to show the sincerity to Penang people , as i know, we have KSK in K.L , Penang , Ipoh , Johor , even in indonesia , Hunger knows no barrier will go nation wide if we care all the people ! Rejoice !
can i have penang’s phone no? how to be a volunteer there?
Hi Teoh, thank you for dropping by KSK with your monetary contribution and your time and support in the food distribution.
Another Soup Kitchen opening for the hungry poor in Penang. Heartiest congratulations! KSK has spread its wings far and wide to feed the hungry poor so that lesser people will go to sleep feeling hungry every night. Our kind PatsyGooi is a real loyalist to Penang and has worked very hard to provide the light which display the care that Kechara has for others who really need this light in their live! In his opening speech, the Chief Minister of Penang, YAB Lim Guan Eng, who mentioned that this official opening of Kechara’s soup kitchen was a 2nd function attended by him. He was so happy to be made aware that KSK has spread its philantropic wing to reach as far north as Penang to give care and love to the hungry poor of Penang. May this shinning light be a shinning example for other Penangnites and other voluntary groups to show the less fortunates that there are still kind and generous people who care, expressed YAB Lim. Syabas to Kechara Soup Kitchen!
Congratulations to KSK Penang! Proud for KSK, help as many as they can.
Congratulations to KSK Penang! KSK continue to show their sincerity and love to the people in Penang. Hope more and more people can be inspired by KSK’s good deeds and join the force. Together, we feed the hungry stomach, care the unloved, make the jobless go back to the society and work.. Let’s make “hunger knows no barrier” go nationwide!
not only nationwide, but worldwide. i believe we can achieve that if we really put our heart and sincerity into doing such a wonderful deed for others.
congratulation to KSK Penang official opening. wonderful speech by YB Lim Guan Eng, very nice: ‘The world can be very cruel, the world can be very dark, and when someone shows that they care, its like shining the light to them. Let us shine up the light, let us light up the life.’
Congrates KSK Penang…!!