*note: post filled with words and the lack of photos. Most of the photos here are koped from google images so credits go to respective photographers
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Haven't written anything here in the longest time ever, but just to update As has been over for nearly one whole month. I've been wanting to record down certain events such as Prom and how I spent my last few days in Singapore but I felt too lazy too. I realized that the key to blogging is to write down your thoughts and feelings right after the event, when everything is still fresh in your mind. And today I'll write about volunteering with Kechara to give out food to the homelessness.
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Haven't written anything here in the longest time ever, but just to update As has been over for nearly one whole month. I've been wanting to record down certain events such as Prom and how I spent my last few days in Singapore but I felt too lazy too. I realized that the key to blogging is to write down your thoughts and feelings right after the event, when everything is still fresh in your mind. And today I'll write about volunteering with Kechara to give out food to the homelessness.
Throughout my nearly 4 whole years of volunteering, I've worked the most with kids. When saying that teenagers nowadays tend to have a preference to work with younger kids, I do agree that I myself have the tendency to do so. Ever since working with SYFC, Interact and even the special events I've participated in, more than half involved in interacting with kids. Today, after discussion with my pal Adrian, we decided to head down to a soup kitchen.
In European countries, soup kitchens have existed as early as in the Middle Age. They were mainly organised by the Church to serve the poor free hot soup and bread. Therefore, they were called "soup kitchens".Soup kitchens in Malaysia serve rice and not soup due to eating habit and cultural differences. Only vegetarian lunch boxes, halal lunch boxes, and pork-free or beef lunch boxes are serve to respect the diverse religious and racial backgrounds of the needy. At KSK, they serve vegetarian dinners around midnight, because the "clients" will appear around this hour in fixed areas, facilitating the distribution of food. Every week, the kind souls in KSK will go around calculating how many packs of food is required and then make reservations - this food normally sponsored by the kind folks such as AmBank, Le Meridien Hotel etc
A bit of background first, Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) is by a Buddhist organization but the soup kitchen service is open to all regardless of race, gender and background. Due to various circumstances, we (A and I) were like 40 minutes late for the Orientation briefing that was supposed to start at 8, but I can safely say I didn't miss much as I still managed to listen to the introduction/aim/purpose/things to take note? But from other blogposts I see they had volunteers to help distribute the food into different packs so you might want to participate in that. Also, in KSK we do Saturday midnight rounds so be prepared to go home late? It starts at 9.30pm and ends around midnight.. but don't worry there are tons of nice people around :)
There were tons of things to take note - how to react in certain situations and things we should do. Even though it might sound a bit novice, but the point that you should never ask anyone "Sorry uncle, are you homeless?" was very appropriately pointed out. Even though I hate to admit this, but some humans have a tendency to ask way inappropriate questions. This is very important in volunteering as sometimes we overlook others' pride and dignity, hurting them in the process. They might be ashamed of their present surroundings and hide too! Another thing to mention is that I find it extremely horrible that people do take photos during such acts because I find it disrespectful to those people who already need to muster so much courage to collect that packet of food from you just because they need to survive.
I find that the most important thing when volunteering is sincerity, 将心比心, to put yourselves in their shoes and connect with them. With every smile, every kind gesture, you gain trust and respect, which I think is the basis of all relationships. And in KSK, food is a way to communicate and reach out to these people living in the streets. Only by being friends and knowing the background story only can you help the person yes no?
I find that the most important thing when volunteering is sincerity, 将心比心, to put yourselves in their shoes and connect with them. With every smile, every kind gesture, you gain trust and respect, which I think is the basis of all relationships. And in KSK, food is a way to communicate and reach out to these people living in the streets. Only by being friends and knowing the background story only can you help the person yes no?
Whilst we traveled around, A even recognized a family that he previously served in another area. The family was joking around asking for additional packets without shame (I don't know if I should use those word) and I couldn't help but to think that this might just be a short term solution as people get reliant on such aid. Our team leader, Uncle Wong, shed a different light on this matter though. Even though there might be people running to different areas to get food, probably depriving others of one portion, we give and take, because we only mean well, and only they can help themselves out of this. Uncle Wong shared the experiences he had undergone, such as how safety first is the key to volunteering because we are unsure of the actions others may give - they might not reciprocate, and probably even assaulting you - well KL probably isn't the safest place in the world anyway.
He shared with us stories about clients he met, how sometimes they were forced out of their homes due to inability to pay or being kicked out of the family. Behind every body lying on the streets is probably a painful story. You can never determine if someone is homeless based on appearance, which is why we should not discriminate. Most of these people have no choice but to sleep on cardboard boxes in bus stops/shelters, and the only full meal they have in the week might just be that packet of rice. It's a very saddening thought that some of these less fortunate people are out there due to a series of unfortunate events. Each of them looked to thin like bones with skin ):
I agree with Uncle W's view that homelessness would only increase in the years to come, which will definitely bring additional number of social problems. With massive price hikes thanks to our ever so fabulous government next year, this problem will only worsen. Why is the government doing whatever transformation of the country in the expense of the people, I do not understand. I only know that I can help these people with the small acts of kindness. I find it really saddening that money is in fact of most crucial importance in this world, and that I, a 18yo unemployed kiddo for the moment can only do this bit to help. That being said, please DO NOT GIVE CASH TO HOMELESS PEOPLE because they will flock to get money from you. Remember, safety first when volunteering.
- I had so much I wanted to say now I have no idea what I have not said, so pardon me -
He shared with us stories about clients he met, how sometimes they were forced out of their homes due to inability to pay or being kicked out of the family. Behind every body lying on the streets is probably a painful story. You can never determine if someone is homeless based on appearance, which is why we should not discriminate. Most of these people have no choice but to sleep on cardboard boxes in bus stops/shelters, and the only full meal they have in the week might just be that packet of rice. It's a very saddening thought that some of these less fortunate people are out there due to a series of unfortunate events. Each of them looked to thin like bones with skin ):
I agree with Uncle W's view that homelessness would only increase in the years to come, which will definitely bring additional number of social problems. With massive price hikes thanks to our ever so fabulous government next year, this problem will only worsen. Why is the government doing whatever transformation of the country in the expense of the people, I do not understand. I only know that I can help these people with the small acts of kindness. I find it really saddening that money is in fact of most crucial importance in this world, and that I, a 18yo unemployed kiddo for the moment can only do this bit to help. That being said, please DO NOT GIVE CASH TO HOMELESS PEOPLE because they will flock to get money from you. Remember, safety first when volunteering.
- I had so much I wanted to say now I have no idea what I have not said, so pardon me -
Like how Kechara puts it, Giving is a privilege.
Often we tend to forget how fortunate we are, to have a shelter above our heads, to not need to worry about having three meals when some people can't even afford one. Considering that we're the lucky ones, maybe contributing back to the society seems te most reasonable thing to do - to me at least. I haven't felt this happy in such a long while, because I find volunteering gives me a purpose in the actions I do, it gives me a reason in life! Even though things are becoming tougher, I do hope more people stand up to provide financial support and contribute physically, to find the joy and meaning in giving back.
There are many more organizations who work to help these people to get off the streets, namely
Kechara Soup Kitchen
Pertiwi Soup Kitchen
Reach Out
Personally I think it's a really meaningful way to help those left behind in the society, so I really encourage each and everyone of you reading this post to go and give it a try. Even in Singapore, soup kitchens are exciting and different from the usual volunteer work we have. But for those planning to drop by KL, I think participating in such a humbling experience would be one of those more memorable moments than shopping in Pavilion. For my Singaporean friends who would like to go through such an experience like I did, do give me a ring, we go together ok ahhaha!
Often we tend to forget how fortunate we are, to have a shelter above our heads, to not need to worry about having three meals when some people can't even afford one. Considering that we're the lucky ones, maybe contributing back to the society seems te most reasonable thing to do - to me at least. I haven't felt this happy in such a long while, because I find volunteering gives me a purpose in the actions I do, it gives me a reason in life! Even though things are becoming tougher, I do hope more people stand up to provide financial support and contribute physically, to find the joy and meaning in giving back.
There are many more organizations who work to help these people to get off the streets, namely
Kechara Soup Kitchen
Pertiwi Soup Kitchen
Reach Out
Personally I think it's a really meaningful way to help those left behind in the society, so I really encourage each and everyone of you reading this post to go and give it a try. Even in Singapore, soup kitchens are exciting and different from the usual volunteer work we have. But for those planning to drop by KL, I think participating in such a humbling experience would be one of those more memorable moments than shopping in Pavilion. For my Singaporean friends who would like to go through such an experience like I did, do give me a ring, we go together ok ahhaha!
I didn't get to interact much with the clients today, but to get a clearer picture of the experience, here are other volunteer's recounts:
http://legallytouched.blogspot.com/2013/06/kechara-soup-kitchen-8th-june-2013.html
I'll end off with this conversation I saw on Tim's blog (the first link right under recounts).
I'll end off with this conversation I saw on Tim's blog (the first link right under recounts).
That night, before I went to bed I asked Shorty:Sets off a lot of alarms huh? I think that's scary too.
“Aren’t we so lucky that we get to sleep on our nice beds in a safe air-conditioned room?”
She replied:
“You know what scares me? At one point of their lives…. they probably had this luxury too”.
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