Rahma Binti Lapasi, sick and stranded

08 Feb 2009, 0145 hrs

Nicholas and team was doing their usual Saturday midnight rounds when they reach Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (T.A.R.). They were in the midst of giving out food in one of the regular spots when they came across a lady in her 50s who looked very sick. Nicholas has realized that the lady is suffering from high fever, vomit, cough and stomachache. She is known as Rahma who is also suffering from hearing impairment.

Seeing this, Nicholas who is the team leader that night decided to bring Rahma to Klinik Reddy in nearby Jalan Ipoh for consultation and medication together with Veronica and Jean. The rest of the members in the team would continue on their rounds so as to not delay the food delivering process.

Rahma felt better after she took some medicine prescribed by the doctor. She was obviously very happy and grateful towards the team for being so helpful and caring.

Nicholas, Veronica and Jean went back to rejoin the rest of the team after sending Rahma back to where they found her.

Ibrain Pajalin, a man with chronic ulcer

08 Feb 2009, 1830 hrs

On 8th February during our Petaling Street round in search for needy clients, one of the teams headed by Prof. Choi found a young man with a severe ulcer on his left foot. He is only 29 and affectionately known as Rahim among his friends. Rahim was referred to Prof. Choi by some of the regular KSK clients. Rahim also has a disfigured left foot from a freak accident during his early childhood.

Seeing the severity of the ulcer, Prof Choi offered to send Rahim to Dr. Romel for further attention. Rahim was quite a reserved person and was initially reluctant to go but later accepted the offer after much persuasion from his friends.

On the way to the clinic, Prof Choi and Suzan Ng had a few words with Rahim and came to know that Rahim came from a very poor background and was actually working in Singapore when he was robbed in Johor Baru one day. Rahim had no other choice but to come to Kuala Lumpur to look for greener pastures but has so far failed to find a proper job.

Dr. Romel diagnosed the ulcer as a "chronic ulcer" and offered some medicine for Rahim to apply.

Rahim was very grateful to KSK. Prof Choi and Suzan Ng then sent Rahim back to the place where they found him.

Lim Thean Hock – a victim of robbery

04 Feb 2009

On 1st of February 2009, during KSK’s regular midnight rounds, Team B leader Hugo came across an injured client. His name was Mr. Lim Thean Hock (48), who was robbed not long before Hugo and team found him. Lim suffered from a deep wound on his lower left forearm very close to his wrist. Mr. Lim revealed that he was attacked by 3 young robbers armed with knives. The wound was 2 inches long and nearly half an inch deep.

Hugo alerted Justin Cheah of this matter. Justin came with the first aid kit and quickly cleaned and applied a simple dressing on the deep cut wound. Mr. Lim was rushed to General Hospital for emergency treatment after much persuasion from the volunteers and his fellow homeless friends. A police report was lodged there too.

The doctor revealed that two of Mr. Lim's veins had been severely damaged by the cut and would have been dangerous if left untreated. Lim was admitted to the semi-emergency ward at around 4.30am awaiting a stitching operation the following afternoon.

Mr. Lim was discharged after the operation at about 2pm. His left hand was heavily strapped to avoid further damage and painkillers were given to him.

He was very thankful for the help and was amazed by our sincerity in helping him.

KSK wishes Mr. Lim a speedy recovery.

Saraswati A/P Rajoo

03 Feb 2009

KSK Volunteers came to know about Mdm. Saraswati (46 years old) who slept in the back alleys of the Chow Kit area and has been monitoring her situation for quite a few months. During our usual midnight rounds, she was always seen asleep with her body facing the wall. Based on the information collected from our regular clients, Mdm. Saraswati was known to be suffering from drug abuse and sometimes resorted to prostitution.

Getting on with Mdm. Saraswati was not easy and it took our volunteers a few months before they managed to talk to her. Her mind at times seemed to be unstable. Finally in one of the usual KSK midnight rounds, Justin spotted her loitering along an untidy corridor. It was drizzling and her clothes were wet. She was quite defensive initially as we approached her and did not intend to talk much. She wept when Prof. Choi offered her soap, a towel and a packet of food. After consoling her, the volunteers left realizing that they needed more time to be close with her.

Our subsequent contacts with her were merely food and a few chats. Maybe due to our persistence, finally one fine night, the volunteers managed to make the breakthrough as Mdm. Saraswati revealed her story bit by bit. She has 7 children from her previous two marriages, her first husband died a few years after they were married because of drug abuse. Her eldest son had just passed away not long ago because of an accident.

All her children were believed to be staying Klang Valley. She revealed to Justin that she had been into drugs since she was 24 years old under the strong influence of her late husband. She ran away from home a few months ago because of disagreement over her drug habit. She even resorted to prostitution in order to buy drugs and cover her daily expenses. She also revealed that she had been discharged from a drug rehabilitation center prior to her running away.

After a long talk with her, Justin managed to convince her to talk more and she was in tears while revealing her story. She told Justin that she missed her children very much and would like to return home and repeatedly assured Justin that she wants to go home and not the suggested rehabilitation center.

Justin asked if she would like to go home and offered to take her home. She agreed and they arranged to meet the following day.

The following morning, Justin was left waiting and looking for Mdm. Saraswati who was not to be seen at the agreed meet up spot. By chance, Justin bumped into Michael who at that time was still waiting for his mykad replacement. He had kindly offered to assist Justin in locating her. Michael led Justin to her usual hangout spots but still could not locate her.

A week later during our midnight rounds, Justin saw Mdm. Saraswati again and repeatedly asked her whether she really wanted to return home or not. The very next morning, Justin and Prof. Choi had gone to the same spot again to pick her up and she was missing yet again. They rounded the area and managed to spot Mdm. Saraswati strolling along the streets. She willingly got into Justin's car and went for a breakfast together before referring her to Dr. Romel of Klinik Reddy in Jalan Ipoh. Prof. Choi had also brought along some clothes for Mdm. Saraswati.

Dr. Romel has been very kind to KSK all these by treating KSK clients without charging any fees. Dr. Romel had diagnosed that Mdm. Saraswati is suffering from addiction to drugs, otherwise she is physically well. Prof. Choi had kindly offered some counter addiction tablets to Mdm. Saraswati as prescribed by Dr. Romel.

After that, Prof. Choi and Justin then started to send Mdm. Saraswati home. Mdm. Saraswati knows the direction very well and directed us the way to her home. It was already late afternoon when they reached Mdm. Saraswati's home in Shah Alam but to her agony, the home had been abandoned. Fortunately she has a niece, Puwaneswari who lives just a few doors away. She was kind enough to help clean the abandoned house and take care of Mdm. Saraswati. We came to know that one of Saraswati's daughters was working in Johor Baru and Puwaneswari said she would help us to contact her daughter.

Prof. Choi and Justin left 7 tablets of anti-addiction tablets to Puwaneswari and gladly bid farewell to Mdm. Saraswati. Justin had called Puwaneswari a few days later to get an update on Mdm. Saraswati's well being and was shocked to learn that she had runaway again the night before her daughter was supposed to comeback for her.

KSK have came a long way in helping Mdm. Saraswati but in the end she still could not resist and fend off her cause of suffering. KSK volunteers will continue to look out for her.

Michael and his MyKad

25 Dec 2008

I met Michael during one of the midnight night rounds about four weeks ago in the Chow Kit area in Kuala Lumpur. He is 51 years old and homeless. I started a conversation with him and found out that he is jobless and has lost his IC. He asked me to find him a job and to help him withdraw part of his savings from EPF. At 51, he is entitled to withdraw 30% of his EPF savings. I gave him my card and asked him to call me the next day.

Michael didn't call the next day. On a recent visit to a soup kitchen in Bukit Nanas, I saw him again and arranged to go with him to apply for a new Mykad. He called me through Carl (from the soup kitchen) and we met at the Sogo shopping mall on 27th November, a Thursday. I took him to the police station in Jalan Raja Abdullah to make a police report. After that, we walked back to the Registration Department in Maju Junction to apply for a new IC. He was very happy that KSK was really helping him out and was not only making empty promises. I made a copy of the temporary IC and kept the original. This is to make sure that it would not be stolen. Michael readily agreed. And he also offered to donate RM500.00 to KSK when he gets his EPF money! To me, this is very touching.

While waiting for the IC, Michael helped me to reach out to other unfortunate ones in the streets and I met a homeless man (in his 60s) who has a 19 year-old retarded child. He asked me to get his child into a shelter. His name is Mr Quah.

Finally, on the 9th December 2008, Michael collected his Mykad! Then we went to a nearby Public Bank to open an account so that his EPF money could be transferred into the account. After this, we went to the EPF office to fill up forms for the withdrawal of his funds which will take two to three weeks.

Helping Michael took several weeks of effort, patience and perseverance but it was all worth it. I wish him a happy life.

An Appeal from Mr. Quah

16 Dec 2008

Great News! KSK managed to help 2 homeless out of the streets today by arranging for Quah Thiam Hock a place for shelter in Handicap Children's Welfare Home, Ipoh and also send Mr. Quah Cheng Huat back to his hometown where he can stay in his friend's house.

OVERVIEW

Justin Cheah saw Mr. Quah Cheng Huat (66) and his son, Quah Thiam Hock (18) sleeping on the streets in Chow Kit during one of the usual KSK midnight rounds. Thiam Hock is suffering from mental developmental disability while Mr. Quah is jobless.

Mr. Quah has 6 other children but all of them were given away due to financial problems during his younger days. Mr. Quah and Thiam Hock has been living together for years now on the streets, living separately from his wife, Thiam Hock's mother, who is still in Teluk Intan, Perak.

Thiam Hock, being born with such disability, needed a lot of attention and was left out by his mother, Mrs. Quah. This has taken its toll on Mr. Quah having to assume the whole responsibility of looking after Thiam Hock while at the same time working to support the family. Mr. Quah worked as a durian seller and travelled around frequently. Everything went well until Mr. Quah was cheated of his money by his business partner. Mr. Quah was left stranded and with no other source of income, ended up on the streets with Thiam Hock.

Mr. Quah has since pleaded for help from KSK to help source a welfare home that will provide shelter, food and education for Thiam Hock. Mr. Quah himself would like to look for a new job and start a new life in Teluk Intan.

ACTION TAKEN BY KSK

Through the contacts of one of KSK’s volunteers, Datin Maylene Yong, we were able to arrange a welfare home called "Handicapped Children's Welfare Home" for Thiam Hock to be admitted to and transportation was immediately arranged. Justin Cheah picked up the Quahs started off to Ipoh Town around 9am in the morning, Thiam Hock was so excited that he was going on a trip and kept asking me to turn the disc player louder while we are on our way to Ipoh. He loves music. He can even hum along with the music.

Upon their arrival at Handicapped Children's Welfare Home, Thiam Hock was at first reluctant to enter the home because he couldn't adjust himself to such a crowded situation. He got used to being alone and not mixing around on the streets. The home is big and currently houses 88 other handicapped children. According to the owner Mr. Cheong, the home has been running for the past 9 years. Mr. Cheong was very kind to accept Thiam Hock into his welfare home. KSK also made some contribution to help ease their high daily expenses.

After all the necessary administrative registration was done, Justin then sent Mr. Quah back to his hometown in Teluk Intan where he will be staying at his friends' house. He has already got himself a job as a durian seller and will start work in a few days time. He does not plan to go back to his home so soon because he doesn't want to quarrel with his wife. He would only go back once he has a steady income. Mr. Quah was very thankful to KSK because he felt KSK really sincerely helped him and his son.

KSK will continue to monitor Mr. Quah's situation.

Happier now!

An Appeal from Mr. Chai

07 Dec 2008

An Update on Mr. Chai Kean Huat and his two sons.

Mr Chai has since found a job in Taman Yulek, nearby his home. I called him just now around 3pm and he was busy cooking. I called again later just to talk to him for a while and he sounded energetic and happy. Looks like he is pushing himself now. He told me he's going to visit the kids tonight.

I went to visit Yong Kang and Yong Feng last Friday and they just came back from a Christmas party cum drawing contest. They are fine and didn't miss their father, Mr Chai. They said Mr Chai promised to visit them in the coming days as he had just started his work and will be busy.

I have asked the boys whether they're happy with the place or people there, they said they're ok and while I was talking to them, they were glued to the Tamil cartoon show on TV. According to Mr Rajan who owns Lovely Nursing Home, he has taken the children to various outings such as the drawing contest, movies and the play ground.

They don’t have much problem communicating with the boys because both of the boys can speak a bit of malay, having grown up with Indonesian boys around their neighbourhood previously. One or two Indian boys at the home were quite naughty and like to take things away from Yong Kang and Yong Feng but I guess that happens anywhere.

Since they have been at the Lovely Nursing Home, Mr Chai has phoned them 3 times and he has been asking Mr. Gopi about the well being of his children.

from left... yong kang (9) n yong feng (7)

nursing home

An Appeal from Mr. Chai

01 Dec 2008

An Update on Mr. Chai Kean Huat and his two sons.

Mr Chai has since found a job as a cook so he will be working long hours and unable to care for his sons. KSK decided to help by looking for a home for the children.

Justin and Sharon from KSK went to "Lovely Nursing Home" in SS3/80 with Mr. Chai and his two sons and after a short talk with the administrator, Mr Gobi, the children were invited to stay at the home. Lovely Nursing Home was founded by Gobi’s mother, with money from her own EPF account. It has since grown to be an old folks and handicapped home as well as a children’s home.

Mr Chai agreed reluctantly as he loves his two children very much and wept quietly. However, after taking into consideration the future of his two sons, Mr Chai realised the children would get the care and schooling he could not provide. Mr Chai can bring them back home once a month and may visit them once a week.

The two boys were fine and had no initial problems adjusting to the home. There are about 10 other kids there in the same situation i.e. children of single parents. The home will arrange for the kids to be admitted to a nearby school.

Ksk will follow up the on the progress of these two children.

An Appeal from Mr. Chai

28 Nov 2008

After an article about KSK came out in China Press, KSK received a phone call from a Mr. Chai asking us to help him with his current difficulties.

He is jobless though he previously had a food stall. He has two sons, aged 7 and 9, and both do not attend school due to Mr. Chai’s sporadic ‘work’.

He catches fish and sells them though that hardly makes ends meet. His wife left him five years ago and he has degenerated since.

KSK is seeking funds to enable his children to go to school and is also seeking a home to temporarily house his children.

For enquiries, please email help@kskcommunity.org

or call Justin Cheah 012 203 2135

February 4, 2009

©Kechara Soup Kitchen