Being Poor In KL

Tears flowed freely down her cheeks. The little provision, clothes, and a couple of shoeboxes lovingly filled by many generous donors with goodies for her family was what had caused it.


This was one of the several needy families we had visited on a Sunday.

The lady's tears had totally taken me by surprise as I had thot to myself, “Hey, this isn’t really a lot, you know.” Which drives home the point that what I take for granted, can mean the world to someone else.

This particular family (parents & 4 kids) stay in a little government flat out in Setapak (Malaysia). They survive solely on what the father, a government employee, brings in each month (net – RM600 monthly + a little extra earned from collect scraps). That was mind-boggling.


I had often whizzed past by many similar government flats with clean looking exteriors, never once suspecting that inside, lived sleepless families fighting for survival.


All in all, it had been an enlightening Sunday. When Ee Lyn, a friend, first mentioned she was collecting stuff for homes, I had readily agreed to contribute a bit of rice, with no plans whatsoever of visiting the homes. I’m truly grateful that she had taken the trouble to invite me along.


I learnt a lot within that one day.


Whilst Ee Lyn had run around getting the things together for the families, it was Bernie who had led the way to the homes. The poor families we visited had approached Bernie’s church (Good Shepherd in Setapak) repeatedly for assistance.


The one family that I had wanted to meet that day was that of the widowed lady sweeper from an MIC office. It speaks volumes doesn’t it, to work in MIC and not have anyone bother about whether you have enough to eat, a roof over your head and the means to send your children to school. Simple basic necessities that people who CLAIM to look out for the welfare of Malaysian Indians should have looked into. (Fortunately someone had pointed her in the direction of the Good Shepherd.)

Well, the poor lady must have been having more trouble than she could handle. She had moved from the room she had been living in, and Bernie wasn't able to track her down that Sunday.


I must also tell you about a single mother who refused a particular pair of school pants for her son cos she kept insisting it didn’t fit him. Turned out it was just too long. Sewing simple stuff was beyond her capabilities.

Mrs Wong, Ee Lyn's mum who just happened to be a retired schoolteacher , commented that this is why school students should be taught how to sew. A pretty valid observation.


So, we’re not producing people who are able to take care of themselves, are we?


You see, when Bernie’s church mates suggested to this single mother that she should make nasi lemak daily for sale, she had said she didn’t know how to go about cooking it.

Being proactive, they bought her a blender and demonstrated what needed to be done. Now she sells about 20 packets per day; enough to put food on the table for her five kids.


I felt that this 35-year old mother had missed out on some important stuff when she was growing up. And I’m not referring to money.


Some people are not fortunate enough to have good role models in their life. Nor do they get to pick up basic skills or learn vital characteristics for basic survival in life. In the midst of a poverty-stricken life, the focus is inevitably always on making it in one piece to the next day.


I could go on about this. Especially about MIC’s role, how too many of us Hindus focus on rituals with insufficient focus on the needy in our community (I have to admit that some politicians in MIC has raised this very same point several times), how we are so self-absorbed in ourselves & the food haven that we live in, etc. 

Fortunately there are people like Ee Lyn and Bernie who take constructive steps to make things right in this world. Why don’t you take a look at Ee Lyn’s photographs that she took on our outing? Or read her blog that covers it all.


Now, would you like to play a small part in this sad state of affairs in Malaysia? Not to worry, I'm not asking you to give up your job or all your spare time.


Continuing with your generous donations is one way. Another would be to spend time with the needy.

I have been doing that with  a secondary student for the past two years. Let me ask you this - have you ever seen a young lad’s eyes light up with hope when you tell him that he’s smart? Faced with red marks every month, this piece of news always takes them by surprise. It's the sort of little encouragement that many need.


Today, he’s a 17-year old about to tackle the SPM. He is far from perfect, but knows for sure that he’s not as dumb as some teachers had led him to believe. Which may be why he’s more confident now and makes an effort to tackle some school subjects with more vigour.

Go on. Be a role model. Spare an hour or two occasionally to share your life secrets on how to stand tall in life. It’s that simple.

10-10-10 for 2010

10-10-10. The magic number I’ll be applying when forming resolutions for 2010.

This 10-10-10 stuff first crept into my life out of the pages of an old Oprah magazine (BTW -  just love it that there are backdated copies available in KL for a mere RM10.00). Suzy Welch raved about how this formula helps when she is stuck with a problem. In fact, she’s got a whole book it.


It’s really quite simple.


Let’s say, you really want to wear that sultry looking outfit but cringe cos you think that a certain frenemy will have a good laugh at your expense.


So, apply the 10-10-10 formula.


First 10
Will the frenemy’s reactions matter in the first ten minutes? Most probably yeah. Hey, you’re human right?


Second 10
How about 10 months later? No. Cos if you’re human, you would have done something even more “interesting” by then!


Final 10
How about 10 years later? Nah! The sultry outfit incident would be but a speck of dust in your memory. And the frenemy would have been ousted from sight.


There you have it – the 10-10-10 formula.


Thinking of furthering your studies? Saving up for a new investment? Taking up a risk in a new business venture? Lending a needy family a badly needed hand? Wondering if you should visit a neglected relative? Or mend broken bridges? 10-10-10 may help you sort out your priorities pretty quickly