Got this from a friend yesterday...
"Tonight while reading the papers, I saw a programme in TV3 on the less fortunate families crying for aid. And what caught my surprise is that the family is frm
Ipoh. It's about a mother of 4 children whose husband has just passed away and she's stricken by breast cancer. They live in SP flat, very small, run down government unit. The eldest son is Lennon who was studying in Anderson, an ex-school head prefect.. did very well in SPM and STPM in spite that during STPM he had to work part time to help his family. He's a very determined boy, very strong person, speaks good English and Malay. His brothers are in Cator Avenue and Sri Putera also doing well in school, and a little sis, 7 years old.
Lennon's penolong kanan teacher stepped forward to appeal for help for this family. Some of the tuition teachers are giving free tuition for them. Their meals are normally red beans (that we have always!), ikan kembong and vege. Lennon is waiting to get into local uni, appealing for sponsors who could support his studies so that he doesnt have to burden his mom. Their struggle is further burdened by the government who's asking them to leave the flat as they couldnt pay for the rent.
Really sympathise for the family.. but most of all, am touched by the courage Lennon is showing. Can see that he's a smart, responsible person with strong leadership and potential. He has to be strong I guess with 3 siblings behind him and his mom is suffering frm cancer and still very grieved with the loss of her husband, the breadwinner and head of the family. He promised his mom that no matter what he's going to take care of the siblings and herself.
I've just written to TV3 to get his contact.. hopefully can get in touch with him and provide help in any possible way. I dont think I wanna channel the finance to the common fund of TV3 as I prefer to reach him personally.. Just cant imagine that while the society is busy with commercialisation, spending thousands of cash on beauty care, anti-aging products and slimming centres.. getting stressed with where to eat; but we never realise that there are some segments in the society who are struggling even to fulfill the most basic needs and to assure a comfortable living or
rather a reasonable living for the young ones.
An Ipoh folk..."
"Tonight while reading the papers, I saw a programme in TV3 on the less fortunate families crying for aid. And what caught my surprise is that the family is frm
Ipoh. It's about a mother of 4 children whose husband has just passed away and she's stricken by breast cancer. They live in SP flat, very small, run down government unit. The eldest son is Lennon who was studying in Anderson, an ex-school head prefect.. did very well in SPM and STPM in spite that during STPM he had to work part time to help his family. He's a very determined boy, very strong person, speaks good English and Malay. His brothers are in Cator Avenue and Sri Putera also doing well in school, and a little sis, 7 years old.
Lennon's penolong kanan teacher stepped forward to appeal for help for this family. Some of the tuition teachers are giving free tuition for them. Their meals are normally red beans (that we have always!), ikan kembong and vege. Lennon is waiting to get into local uni, appealing for sponsors who could support his studies so that he doesnt have to burden his mom. Their struggle is further burdened by the government who's asking them to leave the flat as they couldnt pay for the rent.
Really sympathise for the family.. but most of all, am touched by the courage Lennon is showing. Can see that he's a smart, responsible person with strong leadership and potential. He has to be strong I guess with 3 siblings behind him and his mom is suffering frm cancer and still very grieved with the loss of her husband, the breadwinner and head of the family. He promised his mom that no matter what he's going to take care of the siblings and herself.
I've just written to TV3 to get his contact.. hopefully can get in touch with him and provide help in any possible way. I dont think I wanna channel the finance to the common fund of TV3 as I prefer to reach him personally.. Just cant imagine that while the society is busy with commercialisation, spending thousands of cash on beauty care, anti-aging products and slimming centres.. getting stressed with where to eat; but we never realise that there are some segments in the society who are struggling even to fulfill the most basic needs and to assure a comfortable living or
rather a reasonable living for the young ones.
An Ipoh folk..."
Comments
I called him just now, and found out that he's actually in Universiti Malaysia Sabah, just went through the Orientation programme. He was offered the course of electronic engineering, which was his preferred choice. He sounded very open and friendly in spite of talking to a stranger.. easing my initial doubts and worries that we might end up in an awkward situation. He told me that his mom has just finished the first round of chemotheraphy, which resulted to her hair loss (in the Bersamamu Episode, she still had her hair in tact). Hence, she cant continue working now and basically stays at home to take care of the children. Previously, after her husband's demise, she worked as a sales promoter (at the food court, for Tiger Beer) until she went for the theraphy. Lennon mentioned that he wouldnt be able to go back to Ipoh so often now that he's in Sabah as the travel expenses would be a sheer burden. He foresees that he would only be able to return home April next year during the 2-months term break. In addition, he didnt manage to get a scholarship, but had submitted his application for the PTPTN loan.
Responding to my question on how is he coping with the new experience, he laughed a bit (in a 'cham' way) while saying that he's hoping to like it better as days go by. I shared with him that the first year of uni is usually very challenging particularly when it's the first time round someone is away from home. In fact, it was exactly what I went through when I enrolled in University of Malaya back then.. it was the first time ever that I left my family in Ipoh to begin a new chapter of life on my very own. It was real tough initially, but by the grace of God, I grew to be more independent, get a taste of youthful adventures (which my parents would surely freak out if they found out!) and the best of all, is to be so blessed in serving God through PKV (Persaudaraan Kristian Varsiti). Having said that, I also believe that my challenges were never comparable to Lennon's struggles at this very moment in view of his family situation, an ailing mom at home who misses him so much and young siblings who would need his presence and moral support.
Somehow after 5 minutes, the reception wasnt too good, and we had to end our conversation. But I'm very happy to be able to speak to Lennon in person.. somehow there's this strange feeling of kinship - probably because he's from Ipoh, his ex-school was Anderson school, his brother - schooling in Cator Avenue (both are the alma mater(s) of my brother and my husband) and his 7 year old sister is studying in Main Convent Ipoh (my alma mater!YES!). Or perhaps also, he's a freshie in a local university - and I was as well.. But I think the most compelling reason could be his inspiring character which shows great promise to the society and the nation. I feel that we should uphold him towards his hopes and aspirations, which include making his mom proud, to be a role model for his siblings and to provide for his family.
If you happen to share this 'kinship' too, here are some possible ways we could contribute:
1. Write to Lennon at lennonlow@hotmail.com, be his friend, offer some words of encouragement, be his cheerleader
2. Drop him a call - 0124554183. If anyone of you in Sabah, can even bring him out for mamak!
3. Send a cheque to:
LENNON LOW KAH WENG
121 K, BLOK 12, RUMAH PANGSA, JALAN HOSPITAL, 30450 IPOH PERAK
This would be helpful for his mom's cancer treatment, support his siblings, pay the government flat rental so that the local authorities wont continue to force them to vacate the flat, Lennons' tertiary fees, flight expenses etc
4. Can even buy calling cards for Lennon to call his mom and siblings more often!
5. Drop a call to his mom - 0164515241, or visit her, encourage her - particularly for those who have been through similar struggles in the battle against cancer
There could be a longer list, but let's start with this first!
Yours truly,
Yit Sean
i'm interested to help out in this... thanks for bringing awareness to our attention
So glad to hear that you're interested to help out.. Thanks so much, it would surely mean a lot to Lennon. By the way, are both of you related? sekupang and 1ringgit? ;op
May God bless you both indeed!
Yit Sean
Am happy to connect u both... keep us updated on the status la
Just to update you on the latest, following the
previous entries I've sent -
I received a mail from Lennon lately about his personal sharing on some things that bother him very much, but he just wanted a sounding board to listen.. And it's about his struggles with his courses, where most lecture materials are provided online and the lecturers basically expected every student owns a laptop as default. Lennon did communicate his situation to his lecturer, but did not receive much consideration for his case except for more emphasis on the need to practise the programming stuff rigously. He desperately needed a laptop to work on his programming skills. Living out campus didn’t quite help as well because he couldn’t really get into the library and computer facilities easily, and each trip to the campus costs RM2!
I've wanted to buy Lennon a Dell laptop, but there are some issues with delivery address for Lennon, as he's staying in the uni hostel, and also in the midst of applying for an in-campus since he couldnt afford paying rm2 for every bus trip into the campus. At the same time, there's a PC fair in his university and his friends are getting one at
the same time (also can get student rebate rm 100). He was rather 'pai seh' to ask me if it could be
inappropriate for me to allow him to buy the laptop with the money and he actually doesnt mind having a
Dell delivered over, but need to coordinate with another friend in terms of the address.
I have actually hoped to wait till I have the cash at hand frm those who wish to share the gift (at least to
know the amount that I could raise) before buying the laptop... But in this case, I somehow gathered
sufficient courage to go ahead eventhough I havent quite secured the amount yet!
I banked into his account (rm 3K) via internet banking on Sat morning so that he could buy something that suits his
programming requirements that day itself. Dell, at rm2400 is at basic entry level which is insufficient for his heavy programming usage (no bag also). He's already bought one yesterday at PC fair, Uni Sabah, an Acer, costs
RM3100.
He's really really relieved and happy beyond word.. and it's a joy to know that. I smsed him that he could
repay us by being strong in the midst of the trials and never give up hope, giving his best in whatever he
does. If you wish to share in the gift of a laptop, please bank into my account (laptop
collection):12460063853521(BCB) . If you wish to support Lennon in other areas, you could also bank into his account (BCB):08110069170524
And thanks for those who responded by contributing to the fund, and also to those whom I also believe may have contributed in other non-monetary manner.
Oh yes, just to share this song lyric I heard in church service last Sunday which truly spoke into my
heart, that everything we do - every good deed or every word of encouragement we extend is truly by
God's grace alone; it's because of what Christ has done in our lives that has compelled us to share our
love, not for our glory or self-righteous gratification!
YS
===================================================
Grace Alone, by Scott Wesley Brown and Jeff Nelson
Every promise we can make, every prayer and step of
faith,
Every difference we will make, is only by your grace.
Every mountain we will climb, every ray of hope we
shine,
Every blessing left behind, is only by your grace.
REFRAIN
Grace alone, which God supplies.
Strength unknown, God will provide.
Christ in us, our cornerstone,
We will go forth in grace alone.
Every soul we long to reach, every heart we hope to
teach,
Everywhere we share your peace, is only by your grace.
Every loving word we say, every tear we wipe away,
Every sorrow turned to praise is only by your grace.
Grace alone, which God supplies.
Strength unknown, God will provide.
Christ in us, our cornerstone,
We will go forth in grace alone.
I m current in my 3rd year of my degree program in Electrical & Electronic Engineering. So far i m coping well and will be back Ipoh in this coming May for my industrial training. I have changed my mobile phone no. to 014-6028121 due to wider accessibility here in Sabah.
Thank you so much.
Esther (yit sean)