Turn those thoughts into actions

In the modern landscape of Kuala Lumpur, with imposing skyscrapers, and flashy cars- we forget that behind all the glitz and glamour lurks the menacing ailments of city life - homelessness, urban poverty, joblessness, and displacement.

Astro AWANI’s office is situated right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur just by Menara Maybank in Pudu, and the stark difference between the rich and poor is glaring.

Everyday I see homeless men and women roam the streets, sleeping underneath the shade of trees, their clothes torn and tattered, and their feet black from their daily walk of life.

Then there are the classy men and women dressed in their corporate wear, chatting happily as they carry their pink plastic bags full of food and drink who pass by these “invisible people” without a second thought.

It’s the stark reality of daily life for thousands of Malaysians where the issue of helping others is relegated to the back of people’s minds.

You probably can’t even begin to imagine the horrors that take place daily on the streets, hidden in the secrecy of homes or festering in the crevices of your neighborhood.

There you are safe behind a screen reading this, trying to relate with what these people go through, as you sit in your air-conditioned room munching on snacks your colleagues brought to work.

Which is why I have a huge respect for a couple of friends of mine who step out of their comfort-zone to help feed the homeless, help build houses for the Orang Asli, and even go as far as Cambodia to help a village receive water - faith in humanity restored!

When we were in school the seed of charity was planted in all of us, our teachers encouraged us to visit the elderly, the terminally ill, the destitute and the homeless.

We met this cross-section of people sidelined by rapid urbanization with open arms and without judgment; we wanted to make them smile, even if it was just for a moment.

What ever happened to that spirit within us?

I recently met with Henry K. Pillay, the chairman and Founder of Grace Community Services, which has been around for over forty years helping the unwanted, uncared, unloved and those forgotten by everybody.

His compassion for the needy is both unflagging and uncommon.

He told me of a story of when he was in his late 20s and how his passion for helping others sprung from taking in a homeless elderly stranger into his home who was dying from starvation and disease.

If a homeless man were to tell you that he needs food and he is dying, would you even help him let alone bring him into your home? I would really like to think that you would.