Something nice to share!
Dear friends around the world,
It made me happy to see these wonderful and inspiring publications. It gives me great pleasure to share with you about the recent publications of our Kechara works in Indonesia started by a good friend of mine. I have known Valentina for the last 9 years, she have always been a dedicated, loyal and amazing student and activist and friend. She is truly a kind person and just gives from the heart. I mean exactly what I say about her. Just last year, after many years of tireless dedication in helping the under privileged community in Jakarta, Valentina finally managed to set up a Kechara Foundation in Indonesia known as Yayasan Kechara Indonesia (YKI). With her team of dedicated volunteers, the members of YKI have gone through various challenges to raise their own funds in order to operate their charitable activities. She started this with my requests totally on her own. She built it up on her own going through much trial and tribulations. She never gave up. She never ever gave up. She worked hard and I am so proud of her.
Recently in February 2015, Valentina was featured in THREE Indonesian news and magazine articles: Marie Claire, Wanita Indonesia (translates to Women of Indonesia) and Investor Daily. I thought I should blog these media coverage about YKI and Valentina to show everyone the great works that she is doing in Jakarta, Indonesia, and also for all of us to rejoice that her good works are being recognized by the local community. Valentina have also kindly arranged for the Indonesian articles to be translated into English. You see, the more people know about what we are doing, the more can be happy to help. I thank Marie Claire, Wanita Indonesia and Investor Daily for their highlight of our great works under Valentina!
I’m looking forward to receiving more great news about the growth of YKI this coming year as Valentina and her volunteers in YKI are dedicated Dharma students. I give her my congratulations. She is a very kind and caring person.
Tsem Rinpoche
Yayasan Kechara Indonesia Featured in Three Indonesian Media!
Marie Claire – Indonesia
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[A Note from Valentina: In February 2015, I received an invitation for an interview with Marie Claire Magazine. Marie Claire would like to interview 32 women from various professions and ask their opinions about how to improve opportunities for women. This article was written to Celebrate International Women’s Day – 32 Actions to realize changes (i.e., Celebrating International Women’s Day – 32 Aksi Mewujudkan Perubahan). I was excited and accepted this opportunity to promote better conditions and situations for women overall. In my work with Yayasan Kechara Indonesia, I have seen many women who cannot realize their potentials and completely dependent on others not because they want to but because they do not have the choice due to lack of education. When their education terminated early, women are not properly equipped to compete in the job market and improve their economic conditions. In fact, this situation is not only applicable to women but also to men. This is the reason why YKI is attaching Student Sponsorship program in addition to our usual Food distribution program.]
Translation of the Indonesian article below:
Marie Claire International Women’s Day – Make it Happen
The idea of empowering women is not a new issue in the world public. However, from discrimination, limited moving space, to underappreciated skills are still experienced by some women. To celebrate International Women’s Day year 2015 with the theme Make It Happen, we meet with 32 women from various professions to share their view about women issues that come to their attention and how to realize the dream so the issues faced by women do not happen anymore.
By: Citra Narada & Muthia Surya
Stylist: Edwin Habibun
Photo: Audi Santoso & Herry Ananta6. VALENTINA SUHENDRA
DIRECTOR OF KPMG SIDDHARTA ADVISORY AND FOUNDER OF YAYASAN KECHARA INDONESIAThere are many women who live in less fortunate economic condition because they did not get adequate education. This circumstance produces women who cannot help their family economic conditions. Through Yayasan [Kechara Indonesia] that I founded, I am trying to help and motivate the children so they can get higher education so they will have the opportunity to live better lives.
Investor Daily – Indonesia
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[Note: Investor Daily is part of Berita Satu media holdings. The newspaper and portal (www.investor.co.id) is targeted to businessmen, stock market and money market investors, and corporate and government decision makers as well as the general masses.]
Translation of the Indonesian article below:
Valentina Suhendra
“Detoxification” with Social ActivitiesBeing active in social work has become part of Valentina Suhendra’s life. Just like detoxification, social activities make her healthy and happy.
Valentina’s passion for social activities has never waned. Her life feels empty if she cannot do anything for others.
When asked what is her hobby, the director of KPMG Siddharta Advisory seemed like she has no other answer. “My hobby… is to do social work,” she said firmly to Investor Daily in Jakarta, early February.
Because of that, every week, she spares some time to do good for the community through Yayasan Kechara Indonesia that she established in year 2013. “Every Saturday, I try my best to distribute food to the less fortunate in Jakarta – in South, Central and West Jakarta,” said the holder of Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration Information Systems and Finance with minor in Speech Communication degree from University of Washington, Seattle, USA.
From only distributing food, Valentina can approach the community and find out what are their needs. “Finally we know about those who need spectacles, school tuition sponsorship, and so forth,” said Valentina who was initially under suspicion that she has hidden agenda. However, because the activities were performed consistently, this suspicion has diminished.
Currently, Kechara Indonesia has food distribution, spectacle distribution, stationery distribution and student sponsorship programs in Cipete – South Jakarta, Pertamburan – Central Jakarta, and in Palmerah – West Jakarta.
Marathon for Rice Packages
Looking back, Valentina had never suspected that she can have additional energy to share her time, attention and fortune to the little community around her. However, since she was a child, she has been taught by her mother to share her pocket money to help the tuition of less fortunate student.
“Since junior high school, I have sponsored students with my pocket money,” said that 36-year-old lady.
However as she grew up, she felt this activity is no longer adequate, “Previously, I spent my life doing [secular] work. Until one day I felt my life is empty. I have a good job, good parents who are caring and able to send me to study abroad. I have a fortunate life, but I felt empty. Until one day in year 2006, I met with my spiritual teacher in Malaysia, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche who advised me to go on a pilgrimage to India,”said the lady who has a nickname Valen.
After returning from India in year 2007, Valentina was determined to do social work to help. Her first social activity in Jakarta was simple, to distribute food. After several weeks, her spiritual teacher, Tsem Rinpoche, advised her to do this activity consistently. Because, she admitted this simple activity has not always gone well. At one time, Valen was approached by hundreds of people, not clear from where, who would like to get their rice package shares.
“I prepared food packages for that community, but suddenly, hundreds of people came to request for food packages. I was very scared. Finally, to avoid these unknown people, I chose to distribute food in the cemetery,” she said laughing.
Not only terror from unknown people, challenges also came in the form of lack of fund. Especially, she has committed to give help once a week. This lack of fund almost made her desperate and terminate the activities.
However, when there are people who help with funds, she also had a headache to provide accountability report to the sponsors because the money was transferred to her personal account. Finally, she decided to establish Yayasan Kechara Indonesia for clearer accountability and administration.
“Since establishing the yayasan, there are always blessings. Every week, there are sponsors who provide help to the community. The same goes for the friends who assisted the administrative activities. My burden has lessened,” she said happy.
The principle is, compassion knows no barrier. “There is nothing that can hinder our passion to do good to the community regardless of their background, place of origins, religions, and race,” she said.
Valen also does not sit still waiting for help from the sponsors. She initiated unique fundraising activities to attract her friends to give help or just several rice packages.
“I have run marathon. If I reached the finish line, my friends will give help. I have also climbed mountain to fundraise. My friend climbed to the peak of Mr. Peclet in France for fundraising. Some also reached the peaks of Mt. Rinjani and Semeru. I only climbed one-third of Mt. Semeru,” said Valen who was forced to do routine sport during car free day to train her stamina if she is going to fundraise by doing marathon or mountain climbing.
Then, what does Valen feel with her social activities? For me, social activities like that is like doing ‘detoxification’ that make your body healthy and feeling happy. I am more spirited in life,” she said.
Writer: Mardiana Makmun/AB
Source: Investor Daily (http://www.beritasatu.com/
Wanita Indonesia
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[Note: Wanita Indonesia is a biweekly magazine that have been delivering news and information to Indonesian women for more than 25 years (www.tabloidwanitaindonesia.
Translation of the Indonesian article below:
True Story
Valentina Suhendra
‘Is life only consisted of working then dying?’
Being busy with monotonous routine work at one point brought Valentina Suhendra to a question to herself, “What is her contribution in this life?”
And her meeting with a spiritual teacher brought a change in her life. Since 4 years ago, the director in one of the mining companies* is active in Yayasan Kechara Indonesia.
In year 1997, after graduating from high-school with the best grade, Valentina was given the opportunity to go to Uncle Sam country by her beloved father. Because her father was happy that her grade was one of the best in Jakarta – as stated in a national newspaper.*
Going to study abroad is considered as one miracle because she never thought her parents will send her that far away to USA.
“Before that, I never had the intention to go there to study. So I said this is one of God’s graces. When I graduated, I never thought that I will be the champion [social science program] in school. Even my grade was stated in Kompas newspaper – as one of the big 10 in Jakarta. At the time, my father said, ‘you go to school to the US ya.” What a surprised. In one month, my life changed. Before that, I was about to apply to a local private university.” She recalled.
After college, Valen chose to go back to Indonesia and work in one of the mining* companies, until now, her career went fast and Valen is one of the advisory directors.
All of this is considered by Valen as God’s graces. “I am grateful to God for my life and the fortune. I don’t want to think that this is the fruit that I have planted. I do everything as a human who needs a way to be of benefit to others.
Starting from a question
My name is Valentina Suhendra. A name that is given by my parents and people often guess that I was born in February that is identical with love. However, I was not born in that month. I was born in Jakarta on 23 January 1979 from Ong Dewi and Anwar Suhendra. My father gave the name Valentina because he thought it is beautiful. I am the first of 3 siblings.
After graduating from a college – University of Washington, I was mainly busy with my routine job. I was lucky because I was immediately accepted in one of the mining* companies in Indonesia.
With a director salary, I think I have more than enough to sustain myself. I don’t get subsidy from my parents anymore.
However, the consequence is from Monday to Friday, I am really focused on work. I used Saturday and Sunday to rest and met with my family. Until year 2006, during one of my trips to Malaysia, I met with a monk, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche. From that meeting, he and I discussed about what to do in life.
He asked me in English, ‘How can I help you?’Then I told him that I am a fortunate person, however, I felt that something is still missing.
Is it true that life only consists of routine activities, work until I am old then die. I did not know what should I do next.
Then, Tsem Rinpoche, who also has established several NGOs, advised me to live a life that benefits others. He said, to do something to make this life more meaningful.
After I arrived in Jakarta, I contemplated about what he said to me and then 3 months later, I got a call [from his liaison] with an offer to visit to a monastery in India where Rinpoche learned about Buddhism, Ganden Monastery. I followed his advice and visited the monastery for 1 week.
I noticed a lot of things, one of them is I saw a toilet that was very dirty. It was very dirty that I could smell it from afar. [The smell] caused me headache and nausea. The image of the toilet stayed in my mind although I was already back to my routine activities. I started to think to start something. Finally, I tried to do fundraising by contacting several friends.
was grateful that my friends accepted my idea to build a toilet. With the money from my personal fund and donation from my friends, the toilet project was realized.
Distributing rice packages in the cemetery
By the end of year 2007, after my visit to India, I decided to take refuge with Tsem Rinpoche. I was interested in his advice that we have to use our lives to benefit others. After I became his student, I started to do various social works, depending on the fund raised. I would execute the work if there was fund, if there was not I would wait until the fund was available.
When celebrating my parents’ birthdays, I distributed food in a place not far from home. Although the number of food packages were not a lot, only 18 packages, I was happy.
My Guru was happy with my food distribution activity. Then he advised me to do it consistently every week. He was also referring to one of his students who actively executed Kechara Soup Kitchen activities.
After receiving this advice, I felt like I was challenged to realize this. The first place that I visited was under the bridge in Pertamburan, Central Jakarta.
Assisted by two friends, I distributed 50 rice packages with side dishes. The week after, I came back to distribute food over there. After this activity was executed consistently, I felt fortunate. There are always friends who are willing to help.
However, when assistance started to come, I felt immense fatigue. After 5 days working in the office from morning to night, on Saturday and Sunday, my time was consumed with this social work. I felt that I did not have time to rest. In addition to the fatigue, I started to meet obstacles during food distribution process. I was met with people who did not get the food packages. While at the time, there were only 50 food packages, there were about 100 people queuing. They started to complain to me.
At the time, the passion to share inside me decreased. I was scared that they would have done something unbecoming to me. Luckily, the people who got the food packages from me helped to manage the crowd.
After that, to avoid chaos, I chose cemetery to distribute food packages. I found that it was safe over there. At least, I was not afraid of mob from other area.
Starting from good will
After hearing that I was facing obstacles in the field, my teacher burnt my passion again and decreased my desperation. He said with good will, I will be assisted by many people. I was also told to not stop praying.
After that, my confidence started to build up again. The help continued to flow. There were fund for food packages for several subsequent weeks, just needed to execute the distribution. After distributing the food packages, I started to give scholarship for the children who were receiving the food who had to quit school or had tuition overdue because their parents could not afford it.
As the assistance from my friends grew, I was scared because most of the donations were transferred to my personal account. I was afraid because it may have tax implication. Then, I started to think of establishing a formal NGO. With a formal NGO, my social work will become smoother. Finally, in year 2012, together with several friends who consistently helped my social work, we decided to establish an NGO called, Yayasan Kechara Indonesia. The name was originated from the NGO established by my teacher. Oya, Kechara in Buddhist language means heaven. This NGO was established with two Board of Caretaker, Datuk May Phng and Dato Ruby Khong who serves as the boards at Kechara Malaysia. The board of [Kechara Indonesia] consisted of a chairperson, a treasurer and a secretary, the positions are held by me and my other two friends.
Because the Board of Caretakers are foreigners, for the formalization, we needed to have a deposit of IDR 100 million as per the government regulation. At the time the fund allocated for the NGO was about IDR 30 million. Although we did not have the fund, we did not want to request a grant from Kechara organization established in overseas. I was forced to borrow money to Kechara Malaysia Board of Directors who happen to be my friends. I wanted to repay the loan as soon as possible because I don’t like loan.
My friends and I were thinking as to how we can repay the money. We thought of doing fundraising. Surprisingly, a friend, Shio Wei, whom I just knew for 3 years, offered to climb one of the mountains in France. If she reached the peak, several sponsors would donate a certain amount of fund. Shio Wei was able to reach the peak and she merrily spread Kechara Indonesia flag over there. The fundraising effort obtained more fund than we needed to repay the loan. We used the remaining fund to cover other costs of the NGO.
We did this type of fundraising several times to support Kechara Indonesia’s social activities such as marathon, climbing several mountains in Indonesia. Once, I accepted a challenge to run marathon to get donation of several hundreds food packages. The most extreme challenge that I accepted was to climb Mount Semeru in year 2013. Honestly, I was afraid of height. At 3,050m above seal level, I gave up. Luckily, this fact did not cancel the donation from the sponsors to Kechara Indonesia.
Not only food packages
After about 5 years, the activities of Yayasan Kechara Indonesia consist of not only food distribution. We classify the activities into ad-hoc and non ad-hoc. For example, one of the examples of non ad hoc activities is food distribution. At the moment, there are 3 points of food distribution, in Cipete, South Jakarta, Pertamburan and Kota Bambu Utara in West Jakarta.
We retain the routine activities that we execute since the initiation of this charity work. At least this is in line with the food distribution activities performed by Kechara Malaysia.
Maybe there are a lot of people who underestimate this activity, because it seems that we only give the fish not the hook. But the point is from this food distribution, we would like to build relationships. By coming once a week, the trust is built between the food recipients and us. We are sure that those who received the food are hungry. Nobody wants to be food recipients all their lives.
After building good relationship between us and the recipients, we try to help them to build a better future. One of the efforts is by giving scholarship to their children who would like to go to school but their parents were not able to pay for their tuition.
At least there are 45 students who have graduated from high-school equivalent-vocational school through this scholarship program. I am grateful because with vocational school certificate, they can get a better job. Most work in the factory, as Sales Promotion Girl (SPG). One of them was even accepted to work at a respected automotive company.
My relationship with the students still continues although they are no longer our scholarship recipients. Some of them even gave their salary as donation to Kechara Indonesia. I was very happy that they have the passion to share what they have also.
Currently, there are 26 students who are still actively receiving scholarship from us. Two of them are in college. For some of their parents we gave monetary assistance to start a business [Note: this program is under discussion].
Regardless, the food distribution is still executed consistently. Other then distributing food regularly, we also provided eye examination and distribute free spectacles. For old people, we also give healthy food regularly.
If asked how do I feel now? Of course very happy. The NGO is running well. The most important thing is I don’t feel so alone. In addition of the help received from the board, Kechara Indonesia also work with registered social workers from some of the area that we help. Because there are sponsors who help Kechara, I can also concentrate on other social activities.
Since a few years ago, I help my friend who is an animal right activist who work with strays. Her name is Dr. Susan Somali. She has about 500 dogs, 11 goats and 7 monkeys that require funding. As per right now, I allocated some of my personal fund to help vaccination for the strays or renovation.
I no longer feel the void in my life since I give my time to do social work. I actually like to go to the field and do the work. Although I am no longer as busy as before, I like to go to the field. This activity is entertaining and a hobby that I can do on weekends.
*Valentina is a director at a consulting company and not a mining company.
More Articles about Yayasan Kechara Indonesia
- Vision For The Future in Jakarta
- Yayasan Kechara Indonesia (YKI)
- Guess what Valentina did?
- Guess what we did on Mt Rinjani
- Activities in Kechara Indonesia!
- Kechara Information Center, Jakarta, Indonesia
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Valentina is a source of inspiration for many. in a country of 250 million Valentina is able to set up Kechara Soup Kitchen and also Yayasan Kechara Indonesia. Awesome
Congratulations Valentina!
Your work in Indonesia is really inspiring. You take all the advice from Rinpoche to heart and follow all the way. Your result shows your dedication, commitment and devotion. You are really a great student that proven with your success. More people will be benefitted with your great work in Indonesia.
Thank you again for your great determination and selflessness from your compassion work.
Dear Valentina,
Rejoice and congratulations for all the hard work you have put up since the very beginning until now with the establishment of Yayasan Kechara Indonesia. You are truly our inspiration and motivation for us to work harder for the benefits of other people who are less fortunate and desperately need help from us. All your kindness, compassion, generosity, love, determination and care will be deeply felt by those people who have received the blessings from your hands. Thank you for your selflessness and generosity as you have spent all your personal time and energy to help others without agenda. May Yayasan Kechara Indonesia continues to grow with many supports received from other organizations or individuals to benefit more people in Indonesia through your social activities.
Thank you Rinpoche for posting up the inspirational articles about Valentina and may these 3 articles touched the hearts of many people from around the globe to serve as a message for world peace.
Best regards with folded hands,
kin hoe
Wow! Such wonderful coverage all in just 1 month! Congratulations Valentina! It is not easy to keep a whole centre running, but she have great trust in Rinpoche and continued no matter rain or shine. Great inspiration to many of us students of the Dharma to follow the advice of our Guru with full determination.
Congratulations Valentina! Your hard work and perseverance has brought you the results. And your fearlessness in starting up Kechara in Indonesia is somewhat inspiring and it shows how strong your guru devotion is. Keep this up, thank you and your beautiful team 🙂
It is believed that at every level of society, the key to a happier and more successful World, is the growth of Compassion! Since meeting Rinpoche in 2006, who advised her to make life more meaningful, Valentina Suhendra, started her first social activity in food distribution to the needies in Jakarta. Today, she has esculated to also include giving health food, to the old people, provide eye examination and distribution of free spectacles to the needies, helping in giving out vaccination to animal sprays, all under her registered NGO banner known as “Yayasan Kechara Indonesia” or (YKI) in short! What great compassion Valentina and her Group of kindies do have! Heartfelt congratulations to you and your wonderful group of philantropic people, Valentina. Om mani padme Hung.
Dear Rinpoche,
It is amazing about Yayasan Kechara Indonesia and all that they have accomplished. Truly amazing. And I express my thanks to ms. Valentina on making YKI a success and to all her friends as well for always being there for her. We really must have friends to help us accomplish these amazing accomplishments! 🙂 I hope that I would be able to do something as amazing and accomplished as this when I’m older and have many friends and family to help me on the way to those successes and to share the victories. 🙂 Thank you very much, ms. Valentin and Rinpoche!
Your humble student,
Keng Hwa.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing Ms Valentina unselfish achievements with us.Ms Valentina genuine act of compassion and generosity should be an excellent role model any dharma practitioner to follow.
Her determination and enthusiasm to assist the needy is truly amazing.
We know that Ms Valentina do not do this to attract attention but she should be praise for her efforts made in the name of Kechara…
Ms Valentina you did us proud..Keep it up!!!!
My dear Guru, Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, has been very kind in posting this blog post about the recent media coverage about my profiles in three media (i.e., Investor Daily, Wanita Indonesia, and Marie Claire). Yayasan Kechara Indonesia has been so blessed to have the support of various parties (i.e., media, local government, volunteers, committee, sponsors, tax consultant, external auditor, volunteered internal auditor, and many friends that I cannot mention one by one). They all have been working tirelessly to sustain and make our activities successful. I have been blessed and grateful to have these type of support from sincere friends.
Please help us to sustain our activities by donation to:
Account Number : BNI 0808999901 a/n Yayasan Kechara Indonesia
Swift Code(for overseas transfer); BNINIDJA
Address : BNI Grand Slipi Tower, Gedung Grand Slipi Tower;
Jalan S.Parman kav 22-24;
Jakarta Barat 11480
Phone : +62 21 29021894
Account Number : BCA 5345038806 a/n Yayasan Kechara Indonesia
Swift Code(for overseas transfer); CENAIDJA
Address : KCP Semanggi Wisma GKBI;
Jalan Jend. Sudirman No. 28;
Jakarta Pusat 10210
It is great to see that after all the hard work, time and effort that Valentina has put in, she is now being recognized for the charity work her and her foundation have been doing.
Seeing her posts on Facebook, it is really heartwarming to see her and her team of volunteers distribute items ranging to hot meals to spectacles the Kechara foundation in Indonesia really go the extra mile to help those in need.
Great job Valentina and keep up the wonderful charity work you are doing!
Dear Valentina,
Congratulations! You and your team in Indonesia are doing an amazing job. Such an inspiration to many of us. I love what you said in your interview about empowering the children with motivation for higher education so they will have the opportunity to live better lives. Education is a powerful tool to help them get out of poverty.
Thank you for being such a wonderful example of what a true Dharma practitioner should be – selfless, compassionate, kind and consistent.
A truly beautiful post! Thank you, Rinpoche!
Rejoice for all your hard work Valentina, you are truly inspiring when I read through the article is a very compassion act keep up the hard work.
Valentina told me that it was because of Rinpoche’s guidance and teachings that have helped her achieve all the charitable projects in the midst of her super busy schedule at work. I had the good fortune of working with Valentina in LA when she was volunteering here 3 months ago. She is sincere, easy going, focused, responsible and fun to be around. She has changed so much from 9 years ago and I’m so happy for her.
I look forward to working with her more in Kechara and rejoice in her accomplishments so far that reflects her selfessness and compassion for others.
Regards,
JP
Congratulations on your effort and achievements Valentina. You are a blessed student of Rinpoche. Well done and keep it up.