BFM (Radio channel) recording Justin’s briefing to KSK volunteers
BFM (Radio channel) recording Justin's briefing to volunteers. We are now in our van on the way to Chow Kit and a very happy Kwok Wai is now being interviewed.
sms picture and message from Ruby.
Press really like stories about others helping others. I thank BFM radio so much for highlighting KSK because it is giving out 800 packets of food per week now and needs help to maintain this.
Justin is very devoted to Kechara Soup Kitchen. Justin is a rare kind soul.
Thanks alot ahead of time.
Tsem Tulku
It’s amazing to watch Kechara grow. Wasn’t it just last year or 2 that you guys had 1 small team of people with 1 borrowed van and like 20 meals a week tops?? I can only imagine where we’ll all be in 5 or 10 more years.
I know Justin since the day he joined. He is a really friendly kind soul and this personality of his will warm the hearts of the homeless.
Its wonderful that media such as BFM recognizes Kechara’s community services to create awareness. As KSK grows to serve more n more, it will need more sponsors and donations to maintain its operations.It will need all the exposure it can get and BFM is fulfilling this.
Justin is an incredible person – very kind, humble and funny. The work he put in KSK is admirable, and I am sure he will inspire many volunteers to do more good work for the homeless.
When does the interview come out? when when when?
Am excited to hear as Shefah Szetu of BFM really does a good job at interviewing and it’s super kind of her to come feature KSK.
Both Li Kim and I were also lucky enough to be interviewed by them a while back (also by Shefah). Here’s my interview – go listen, goooooo! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MtkA-7jckwM
(and then watch all the other neat videos online)
Kechara Soup Kitchen has been getting a lot of recognition and press for the work they are doing. This is attributed to the hard work under the leadership of Ruby Khong and also their patron Datuk Dr. Victor Wee.
Check out this article on the Kechara website this one features more on Datuk Dr Victor Wee
http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen/news/datuk-dr-victor-wee-visits-ksk-clients/
This article has details about their tireless leader Ruby Khong
http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen/press/press-coverage/forbes-features-philanthropy/
It is really neat that Kechara Soup Kitchen has become the darling of the media. What is amazing is that a monk’s (Rinpoche’s) personal childhood struggle while walking homeless and with an empty belly on the streets of America has materialized into such a wonderful department that benefits many.
This department is becoming more and more popular with the media and the who’s who in KL. This will directly pull up the prestige and credibility of the Kechara organisation. With a higher profile, Rinpoche and others in the organisation is able to spread Dharma farther and wider across many more segments of society that was previous difficult to reach.
Kudos to the incredibly hard work of Liaison Ruby Khong and Justin Cheah that brought this department to this level.
Justin Cheah really loves what he is doing in Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK). I have seen him in action on the streets distributing food. I have heard him patiently talking over the phone to people who rang KSK office making enquiries. He has helped a few homeless with medical aid, getting lost IC replaced, arranging for job interviews and landing some with jobs. Some homeless now hold part time and regular jobs, thanks to Justin.
KSK being interviewed by BFM is the hard work of Justin and KSK team headed by Liaison Ruby Khong, a senior student of Rinpoche and my maternal cousin and who was instrumental in my connection to Rinpoche.
This is how much Justin Cheah loves KSK. It is world cup season now, and Justin really loves football. I mean, he really, really loves football. The Saturday night that world cup began, I was in the van with him. Despite knowing that he is missing the game, he was completely focussed on his task. He did not whine or complain in any way. In fact, throughout the whole time, if you did not know just how much he loves football, you might even think that he does not care. And after we have finished the feeding routes, he drove all the ladies back to their cars and watched them get into their cars safely before he drove off. Football may be what Justin loves, but it is clear to see that he loves KSK most of all.
Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) had grown from a small group of Rinpoche’s students going out to the street giving away 50+ packs of food per weekend to now 800+ packs over the weekend.
KSK had become the darling of the media since Liaison Ruby Khong took over the realm early last year and there was never looking back for KSK and Ruby.
Ruby with the help of her dedicated team had brought KSK to a level where the public will call up to see what help they need and this is really amazing!!!
Justin Cheah, is really an angel in helping the homeless and he really give it his all in helping to take these homeless off the street and give them a safe place to settle down with jobs so they can be independent. Justin really works tirelessly day and night for others. What an amazing guy!
With the strong motivation in wanting to help others, KSK had acquired a building in Imbi where there will be a permanent place where the homeless can go and seek help and support. None of this can happen without the blessing of Rinpoche and most important the dedicated KSK team and volunteers!
Thank you very much, KSK, Justin and volunteers, for your dedication towards the homeless!
This is what I say ‘if there is a will, there is a way!’
KSK has certainly been the media darling for a while. Barely a week goes by without a mention in one media or another. Most recently, The Star also covered KSK (http://blog.tsemtulku.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/2010/07/ksk-in-the-star-metro.html). You can also see more press coverage here at KSK’s website (http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen/press/press-coverage/)
Being on the radio via BFM is fantastic though as it reaches a different segment of society to share our mission to help others. I am so grateful to BFM and all those media for using their resources to promote KSK because they believe in what KSK is doing. By the media promoting KSK, there will be more awareness of KSK’s mission and more volunteers will join to help us help others.
If you like what KSK is doing, please support KSK! On July 18th, Kechara House is organising a fund raising dinner at Sunway Hotel, PJ, where proceeds will go to Kechara House and KSK. Do join us if you can – Please contact Cheri for details on [M] +6013 343 3788, [T] +603 7880 0189 [E] cheri.woo@kechara.com http://kechara.com/cn/dinnerauction/
I’d like to add on to what David shared. Imagine, a young child of 6 years old, hungry and walked the streets…he was fed rice with sugar while the rest of the family ate well. Rinpoche had to grudges. He wasn’t “damaged” by his upbringing and the past. Instead, he used his pain to help so many people. How come we bring our past to the present and allows it to affect us negatively? I believe it doesn’t have to be this way as proven by Rinpoche. I find Buddhist teachings very practical, brings healing to ourselves which then naturally allows us to be of some benefit to others.
Justin is definitely doing a good job for KSK. I remember just before Rinpoche conceived the idea for KSK, Rinpoche himself always took a few of his assistant to walk up and down the streets in KL during late nights, looking for homeless people.
Once he found them, Rinpoche will sent us to the nearest grocery store, 7-eleven or any convenience store to get lots of bread, biscuit and water for them. If Rinpoche came across a begging homeless young mother with her baby on the street, he will buy them milk powder, give them hot food and lots of dry food, and will sometimes take them to see the doctor and give them some money too. The legacy has now passed down to Ruby and Justin at KSK. Kudos to both of them for doing lots of good work and promoting Buddha dharma in a very special way!
Paul
Hunger knows no barriers… this is such a spot-on statement. Unfortunately, this is a fact of life that many of us, fortunate souls, have forgotten because we are simply too blessed. I am grateful that KSK effectively reminds us of this sad situation and, very importantly, provides us with a channel through which we can contribute and make a difference.
Another factor that makes KSK an attractive platform to contribute to and participate in is: they work on creating sustainable results. As mentioned in other comments, KSK goes beyond feeding the homeless: they provide other solutions ranging from medical care to securing a job for the homeless.
Another “secret” ingredient that makes KSK outstanding and sustainable is the passion and sincere care the key people of KSK have for this cause as reflected in the extra effort taken to spend quality time with the needy.
Lately, KSK has become what it is now due to the leadership of Liaison Ruby Khong along with her strong dedicated team in feeding and helping the homeless and urban poor. It is good that the various medias have helped KSK to be widely known as a non-profit organization that has given hope to many homeless to find food, shelter and a means to support themselves. The purpose or aim of KSK is not only to provide food and shelter but to lend a helping hand, be a friend and to take the homeless off the streets and offer them a new lease of life. That makes us different from other soup kitchens.
Kechara Soup Kitchen emerged from our lama kindness and compassion to the homeless people living on the street. For past 4 years Kechara Soup Kitchen has grow tremendous to benefit many hopeless people living at street in term of providing them food, finding job for the jobless people, giving medical treatment and etc.
Under Ruby Kong leadership and Justin Cheah hard work, KSK has fond new permanent building at Jalan Imbi, providing fixed address for the homeless people for job appreciation and simple medical aid. Ksk has bring so many good news and hope for the homeless people. Ksk shine out from Kecahara organization to public. Even now we are getting support by Malaysia Government. Kudos to KSK!
Regards,
Chia
Justin Cheah is a real sincere guy! Down to earth, no air about him and works very hard! I’ve been out on the KSK rounds and have observed how he talk to the KSK clients. He knows them all by name and the clients are open and talk freely with him about their problems.
I’ve also seen how happy Justin is when his clients give him good news of their situation. It says alot how much Justin cares for each and everyone of them.
Media such as BFM is so kind to help promote KSK. KSK exists not for itself but for those who have no one…Thank you BFM!
Thank you for your generous comments. I must say that all the positive results that KSK are getting is not only because my president, Ruby or my hard work. We have a brilliant team in our Vice President, Julia, Treasurer, Siong Woan and Secretary Karen. We each have our own strength and I am very pleased and blessed to be working with all of them. We compliment each other with our strength and worked harmoniously.
It was only merely a year ago that Shefah came with her friend Grace Chin. We had 15 volunteers that Saturday night. The figure has since tripled and I must thank all the media that has helped spreaded the words and awareness to help to get more kind people coming forward to help the destitute figures on the streets to regain their dignity, respect and get back into the society.
Thank you again!
Ha.. Ha… cute little Mumu. Mumu is the mascot of Kechara Animal Sanctuary. Mumu is a rare gem in the sense that Mumu spends the most time with Rinpoche day and night and even sleeps with Rinpoche. He is well trained by Rinpoche and develops a strong bonding with his Master. Mumu is obedient little cute monster. Rinpoche has mentioned before Mumu could be his past life student. Rinpoche is creating the condition for little Mumu to have good imprints of the Dharma for him to gain a precious human rebirth again to practice the Dharma so he may not have to go through countless of lives immerse in samsara. Mumu is so blessth.
Justin Cheah is a remarkable young man with a kind heart. There are not many of young man like Justin around. Justin is still eligible, I think. Is good Justin is able to keep his present single status to devote more time to feed and help others. He has gain the merits to be wealthy and not to go hungry in this life and his many lives to come when he is feeding so many hungry stomachs in KSK. He is creating causes to feed more hungry stomachs. May Justin always be able to fulfill the wishes of many hungry people. Buddha, bless Justin Cheah. Love you, Justin.
Justin Chai-chai is the angel without wings to the many homeless people in Klang Valley. He is there every weekend, rain or shine with his troops of volunteers who come from all walks of life. Under the very able leadership of KSK President Ruby Khong, he works very hard to ensure that the homeless people not only receive the weekly food packs, but he goes to help them in any way he can – not only because it is his “job” but more so because he wants to help and he can.
KSK started out as a small project because Rinpoche wanted to help the homeless people. It has always been Rinpoche’s wish to start a project to reach out to these people and today KSK is fulfilling that wish.
This is a lesson in itself – instead of always focusing inwards to the “I” we should instead focus out, learning to give in terms of time and effort
The guy on the left of Rinpoche’s photo came from another soup kitchen. The girl next to him is Kamariah. She has participated that night in our distribution rounds to research and observe how KSK functions. She will be making a documentary about homeless people. This is what I briefly heard. The point is, KSK has set a foundation of what a soup kitchen should be and for other soup kitchens to investigate and look upon as reference point. With this, KSK’s work has also proven to a major role in our Malaysian society and therefore is subject to be documented.
BREAKING NEWS BREAKING NEWS!
Justin’s interview with BFM is out and you can listen to it here: http://bfm.my/kechara-soup-kitchen.html
Thank you BFM for giving Kechara Soup Kitchen airtime, and for helping to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless on the streets of Kuala Lumpur. Many of these homeless are there through no fault of their own, and are unable to get the help they need to change the plight they are in.
Rinpoche and Kechara are advocates of active social Dharma, where the principles of kindness, generosity are put into action instead of merely being studied on a theoretical level.
As one of the KSK volunteers says in the interview, why not do something beneficial on a Saturday night instead of sitting around watching TV?
There is a dark side of Justin that not many people know — he CAN’T STOP saying OK!! On one of the briefing sessions before we go out for food diatribution, he actually said ‘OK’ more than 30 times! Seriuosly! We counted!! LOL and Ruby was there rolling her eyes and pleaded with Justin to JUST STOP SAYING ‘OK’ !! and he answered her with yet another ‘OK’.. This is the reflection of Justin’s true nature – a sincere, kind hearted, patient – basically an ‘OK’ guy !!
This OK guy runs around down on Thursday mornings picking up Kechara Soup Kitchen’s cleints to replace IC, see doctors, buy boots (see http://www.kechara.com/soup-kitchen/sos/success-stories/shoe-shopping-for-shamsul/ for details) go interview, etc..all these he does with a big warm smile on his face. THIS is our JUSTIN CHEAH. Way to go Kido!!
Dear Rinpoche
I went for my 1st KSK I think 2 weeks ago and it felt good.The gratitude which they have for us is tremendously overwhelming,
I;myself was overwhelmed by how many of them were homeless.I feel good, something like a small wave of happiness, seeing their smiles on their faces when we handed them food.I felt like I did some kinda good at the end of the night,knowing I helped,though its only a small amount of people, but what really matters is what comes from the heart and helping within your capability.I think I did it somewhat within my capability and I will continue to help whenever I am available.
Thanks Justin!
Thank You Rinpoche.
Terima Kasih Rinpoche!
From the many testimonies of those homeless who have been helped and are back on their own 2 feet is already the evidence that KSK was meant to be what it was set up to be and have even outdone themselves with the increasing support from various quarters and reflects back what Rinpoche had in his heart for these people and having tasted that kind of suffering Himself, it is an even more powerful testimony to our country and the world.
With such a committed and compassionate team leading KSK, I offer my salute and respect to them for every ounce of blood, sweat and tears invested thus far!
Paris dear, its already been broadcasted. Looks like you missed it! No worries, log on to:
http://bfm.my/kechara-soup-kitchen.html
http://bfm.my/assets/files/I%20Love%20KL/2010-07-03_I%20Love%20KL_Kechara%20Soup%20Kitchen.mp3
BFM also interviewed your aunty Ruby and she went live on Monday at 3pm for 20 mins. I was told that we can download to listen to it 7 days from 12 July onwards.
I am very thankful to all media for their support towards KSK. Each time when KSK gets publicised, so much public awareness is being created. A testament to that is KSK’s official phonelines will be ringing non stop!
Business FM is a good radio station. KSK is a good organization which provides food to the homeless, combined they formed a great opportunity to spread the Dharma and promote feeding and taking care of the homeless and urban poor of the streets of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The picture looked very funny. Uncle Justin works very hard for KSK and Kechara House etc. So, I wish BFM will continue to support KSK in any way and BFM gets good response from the public for no matter what they do and I wish that KSK can continue to save the homeless in streets of KL in Malaysia and feed and nurture them. Finally, may Uncle Justin live long to continue his glorious works!
Many thanks to BFM radio for giving KSK the airtime to help raise awareness of our organization. As KSK grows and feeding and helping more homeless , we will definitely need more support in terms of funds or materials. It is great to know that BFM recognizes Kechara Soup Kitchen as a main player in community service. Any exposure like this would eventually enable KSK to serve the needy for efficiently.
Justin is a kind soul that is worth mentioning. He is extremely dedicated to his work on the day he joined KSK, and he takes pride in what he is doing. Come rain or sunshine, Justin will be there for the needy. This selfless act of constantly thinking of how to benefit the homeless, is what I would like to work towards to.
To see Justin always brings a giant smile on my face.
His qualities of kindness and care make him one of the most lovable person I know.
For having done the KSK rounds with him a few times, I hae seen with my eyes how skillful he is in dealing with people on the street, that don not always becessarily welcome helpers with open arms.
He examplifies the truth that giving is the best way to be content. Deep inside, we all know that, and that is why, I think, we like to hear of acts of generosity in the media, it brings a little bit of light in our lives.
The Idea of KSK started because of H.E.TSEM TULKU RINPOCHE. During HIS YOUNG DAYS, HE WAS HOMELESS FOR A WHILE ( DUE HIS COMPASSINATE WANTED TO LEARN DHARMA) HE HAS TO RUN AWAY FROM HIS HOME.( please find out more information in http://www.tsemtulku.com home page) BECAUSE HE HAS WENT THRU THE EXPERIENCED OF HOMELESS, THAT’S WHY KSK IS BORN.
KSK was started by Liaison Su Ming about 5 years ago, because of her portfolio, she has to transfered and led by Professor Choi for a couple of years. Then now leading by Ruby Khong and her committee members. Of course Justin is one of them.
Justin definitely has contributed so much of his time and effort into Kechara Soup Kitchen. I believed Justin has choosen KSK as his own courier. That’s the reason why he has invested his LIFE AND EFFORT INTO IT! LIKE 24 / 7.ANYTIME, YOU CALL HIM, HIS THERE TO HELP. His is very helpful and patient to deal with people. HOW WONDERFUL GUY HE IS! KEEP IT UP JUSTIN!
Love, angel
The picture showing Justin Cheah briefing KSK volunteers before they go out for their food distribution rounds is a common sight at Kechara House every week. Justin does it tirelessly week after week, year after year to ensure that the volunteers know exactly what to do, where to go, what to look out for so that the food are safely delivered to those in need of it. For the volunteers who are distributing the food, proper guidelines are made known to them to ensure their safety while carrying out their mission. Justin is very passionate about what he is doing and how he can help the homeless get off the streets. There was once I asked him what does he do during his free time and his reply to me was that he would drive around town to scout for homeless people so that that he can arrange for KSK to bring food to them and think of ways to help them . Such is his sincerity and dedication in helping the homeless people. The homeless people in town are indeed lucky to have Justin Cheah!
During my first visit to KH ,i joined KSK on the weeked,Patsy called and told Justin that am joining KSK that night.
By the time i turned up that night,when i told him my name,he immediately knew that am the one from Penang.He was so busy that night putting volunteers in group without mistake.He was so kind to put me in one of the van that have 60 packs of food so that i won’t be back too late.
I saw so many homeless people in KL,and i saw how KSK helped them.
Many of them was hungry and they open up the food and eat it immediately.Its a lesson actually to let people know not to waste food and cherish whatever they have now.
What are we doing every saturday night?clubbing,watching movie,hang out with friends and involved in all kind of samsaric activities? Why not go out and helping the homeless,no matter you are sponsoring the food or be a volunteer to help,its more meaningful to spend your weekend and helping someone you don’t know and without expecting anything back.Justin and KSK doing it every weekend,and this is what Rinpoche want ,to help the homeless.
During the wesak fair when everyone so tired after whole day help out,Justin still continue doing his KSK midnight round,you can feel his energy and heart for KSK.
Justin Cheah has made a real sacrifice by joining full time in KSK. And devoting his time and hardwork to the homeless by not only distributing food to the homeless but also find jobs for them. Radio Channel Recordings also helps in promoting awareness apart from Star Metro . Kechara Soup Kitchen KSK distributes food packets twice a week once on Saturday nite and another on Sunday evening. Initially the venue for packing food before distribution was at Kechara House 2. But now through the hard work of Justin Cheah and Ruby KSK has acquired a centre in Jala Imbi where the homeless can come for hot food now.