100
When Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) first started handing out food packets to the homeless in 2006, an average of 20 packets were given out and 8-9 people volunteered.
Now, volunteers go through the standard procedure of registering as a volunteer on Friday, the night before food rounds (Saturday night). They also go through a briefing before they hit the streets… and this is all on a first-come-first-serve basis. Why? Kechara Soup Kitchen now has a minimum of 100 volunteers every Saturday night and we are getting more organized!!
Take a look at the pictures below sent by the KSK team. It shows you that people really want to do something good. Saturday nights are meant to be set aside to do some service to others. I am so proud of Kechara to provide this type of service for the homeless. Please join in and help any dept of Kechara. Do something good and make yourself feel good in the process.
No one can say that Malaysians do not care for the less fortunate… take a look at the photos below and be inspired by the people who take their time off to show some care to the needy.
Tsem Rinpoche
Karen Leu briefing the volunteers before heading out to the streets of KL…
A sea of red KSK t-shirts!!
All about to head out to the streets of KL at 10.30pm.
Bags full of goodies for the homeless tonight. This is the amount distributed every week.
At one of the KSK food distribution stops
A long line of homeless people… tonight they won’t go to sleep hungry.
Thanks to the kind sponsorship of Khind-Mistral (M) Sdn Bhd who earlier last year sponsored a van… look at how much use it has proven to be!
Whenever kind sponsors donate useful items to KSK, the homeless benefit greatly.
Volunteers, young and old, gather every Saturday to give food to the homeless.
Some of the volunteers in front of the KSK van.
Homeless queuing up to receive food packets.
Volunteers speaking to the homeless… when you’re ignored by society, it’s nice to be noticed once in a while. The volunteers will speak to them on a personal level, find out what their problems are and from there see how KSK can help.
Do you notice them?
KSK volunteer delivering food straight to the client’s doorstep.
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You have to join the sea of red T-shirts to fully appreciate the time and effort they put into every Saturday night, going round the city and helping the homeless.
Apart from food and drinks, the volunteers spend time talking with the clients; sometimes clothes are handed out; other clients may require mosquito coils or light medication.
KSK’s function is so essential to tell some of those forgotten in our society we still care, there is still hope. Sometimes when we encounter difficulty or problems we feel everything is hopeless we give up on ourselves especially but the Buddhist perspective is that everything is impermanent and things can change if we change the conditions or create the right causes. If we want care, we must show care first to the best of our abilities. Which I why I find Buddhism is so logical and one can apply it based on whatever situation one is in.
Rinpoche,
When you first asked me to start Kechara Soup Kitchen, I was scared because I had never done anything like it before. And now look at what KSK can do today! We started with just a few of us handing out food and now 100 people have gathered to help the homeless! Every time Rinpoche has pushed us beyond our comfort zones, so many people have benefited and I am very thankful to Rinpoche for pushing me, and believing in me even when I did not believe myself. Over the years I have learned to stop asking ‘why’ whenever Rinpoche asks me to do something because I know the end result always turns out just like what Rinpoche says it will and it always benefits someone else.
To my KSK team also, for handling so many volunteers so well and being so organised every week, you guys make me very proud. I look forward to many more years working with you to take KSK to greater heights! Kechara boleh!
beautiful photos! Thanks for showing us the behind-the-scenes and “in action” shots of KSK. Amazing to know this is what they are up to every Saturday night, a time when most of us usually “reserve” exclusively for our own enjoyments / eating / dancing etc. President Dato’ Ruby just presented KSK’s plans for 2012 – so much more exciting works in the pipeline, all in line with KSK’s vision not just to feed the homeless but to extend their support and help of the urban poor and children… look out for exciting national and regional plans too!
i am very happy for Kechara Soup Kitchen’s growth. And Dato Ruby is everywhere which is needed because she will make Soup Kitchen’s message wide spread and more will join in the good cause. The more i rejoice is because it is such great honour to take just one night out of our busy life each week and do something meaningful for the unfortunate. We might pity them and ask why are they in such state, but think about it, if we help them and provide them aid in whatever ways, we can get them off the streets. It is not at their will to be in such state. We have almost everything in life, if we practice giving, more will be helped. Thumbs up KSK!
Congratulations to KSK for making it so big! It takes tremendous effort and commitment. I salute you all for all your saturday nights sacrifices to go out and make a difference to the people living on the streets. Your big big heart is very much appreciated. MAy KSK continue to grow to all states in Malaysia and globally!!
KSK was my first dept I volunteered in Kechara.
That was also the 2nd night of the very new night round. That time here were only 4 of us.
Look now, it’s 100!!!
People are getting more and more concern and more and more young people joining in. I remembered that I asked one of these young group college students why they willing to spend their time in KSK every Saturday and they told me that normally they will hang out partying, watching movie or at least ‘yum cha’ at mamak stall.
But after they found out about KSK and the experience looking at the homeless, it changes their view of lives.
They are not the only living being in this world, there are another life at night in the city where they have not seen and understand.
It’s a realization and they felt so fortunate to be able to be part of the care people that help these unfortunate people.
KSK has been one of the platform for many Malaysian and even foreigner to contribute to the society. This meritorious work also bring the unity of the people in this country together to care and bring the hope to the unfortunate one.
Beautiful!
Nobody really cares about people begging….Nobody really cares about poor people….Nobody really cares about people on the street…That doesn’t mean that we have to give everything away to them but just show them some of us care.. I am so proud that Kechara Soup Kitchen have so many volunteers and helping so many people out on the streets… I want to contribute my part too…what can be better than serving those in need of care and love…
As mother Theresa said “The greatest disease in the West is not TB or Leprosy. It is being unwanted, uncared for, and unloved.” So is everywhere! Feeding the hungry is said to be work that is eternal. Hunger impairs one’s health in a significant and long lasting way. Our Guru’s experiences related to the story of survival against odds, including the challenges of poverty and hunger, years of neglect, physical abuse and unloved which were immensed. It was from this realisation that gave him the inspiration, the strength and resilence to have KH start off Kechara Soup Kitchen to help others in need, donate food to the hungry poor and encourage others to do the same, if not better. Heartfelt congratulations to KSK, which from 8-9 volunteers @ 20packets being given out a week in 2006, now has a seaof min. volunteers of more than a 100 to help out every saturday nite. Like our Guru said, “We malaysians do care even on a saturday nite to ensure no one goes hungry, especially for the aged and homeless poor!!! Thank you Rinpoche for your compassionate realisation.
When I first came into KSK in 2007, the biggest impact it had on me was:
“How come every single day I drive by these roads, but I have never ever noticed the homeless and destitute that roam the streets, and call it their home?”.
It then showed me how self-absorbed I have been, sitting in my car, driving around, listening to music, thinking of what to buy, when just across the traffic light, there is someone sitting at the corner of the road with nothing on them but their thoughts of whether they can get through to the next day. Since then, all I do when I’m in my car is to look out for them and lend a helping hand when I can.
KSK’s hardwork has been tremendous, just the result of how much they have grown is enough to prove to others that when there’s a will there’s a way. Under the amazing guidance of KSK President, Dato’ Ruby Khong, KSK continues to grow, and has now expanded to other states and countries within and outside Malaysia.
You can make a difference in the lives of others – it is whether you want to or not. Your choice. KSK has given me an outlook and knowledge on life, that I am so very fortunate to have. You are not only helping others, you help yourself in the process too.
From 2006, KSK had come a long long way. As we grow, we fine tune our operations, expand food distribution routes, look/beg for sponsorship of food items.. all these with only ONE motivation – to help others.
It is heart warming to see volunteers come back week after week, and they ask what else can they do besides handing out food.
Corporate sponsors see improved staff performance and morale after their staff volunteers in KSK.
Colleges send their students to KSK as part of their Core Curriculum Activities.
KSK is providing a platform for everyone to give, to share and to learn. Volunteers and team leaders give and share their precious time to help others, young students learn to be humble and appreciate what they have.
And I am very touched to know many fulltime dharma workers in Kechara started their spiritual journey from being a KSK volunteer, I am one of these fortunate people.
We look forward to more volunteers joining us in KL, Penang, Kuantan, Ipoh and Johor Baru.
KSK has become such as success because it has no hidden agenda and the volunteers feel that. Generally people are good and well meaning and KSK provides an immediate opportunity to express that and I am sure that is why the volunteer force have grown steadily.
On the face of it, we go out on saturday nights to “help” the homeless but looking back now, I think as a volunteer I helped myself the most. Joining KSK on a regular basis was the beginning of a turning point and one which I will always be grateful for.
Even now when it pours in the night, I imagine how the homeless clients are doing. I know I am not alone in this sentiment.
I think for me to join Kechara as a full time volunteer, KSK is one of the main reason. Still remember my first trip to KSK, i was in my very expensive Zara pants, leather shoes and nice shirt. Su minf was with me.
We never plan for the trip but just come in the right time,Su ming asked me : “would you like to check out KSK ?” (it was on a saturday night) and i said: why not …
I remember every single faces i met on street, they have nothing. I remember that’s this malay lady who is fixing some plastic beads as a ring. I asked her why is she doing all these? She replied: “so she can sell them and get some money to buy cat food for all the stray cats” I break down. Compare to her, I have a lot of friends, family that love me, nice career. I have everything but I never do anything for others, this lady in front of me, she have zero, but she still give…
From that night onwards, I think I must do something for people.
Thanks KSK team always bring warm to people, they not only need food or a shelter. They need some care, and this is what you guys have been giving.
Thanks 🙂
More people are going out to benefit others, how nice…. KSK has provided the avenue for people to learn how to give and how we should be appreciative of what we have.
proud of Kechara Soup Kitchen and all the volunteers!
Don’t wait for even a second to reach out and help. Good job KSK!
On a personal level – as a volunteer – you get to meet many other volunteers from all walks of life who wants to contribute back to the community. It is fun yet interesting to participate for KSK rounds on Saturday nights.
Yes, we should make excuse to help the not-so-privileged people. Don’t make excuse not to help! Come join KSK!