APU Students Joining Forces with Kechara Soup Kitchen

Imagine living in the middle of Kuala Lumpur without a roof over your head or living in a dilapidated house where it is hard to eat a single meal in a day.

Even more heartbreaking is the fact that some of them are homeless and lack access to clean water and sanitation.

It is unfortunate that such a situation still exists, which is why Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK), a non-governmental organization (NGO) has been distributing meals to the homeless and urban poor.

Founded by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche in 2006 and registered as an NGO two years later, KSK gathers over 10,000 Malaysians annually to help their fellow countrymen in a multitude of ways.

KSK also works closely with the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development and the Federal Territory Ministry to tackle homelessness issues and has collaborations with over 30 NGOs across Malaysia.

Recently, six of APU’s Pre-University students from the School of Foundation Studies had the opportunity to join forces with KSK’s team, where they volunteered to pack and distribute food in Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur for five consecutive weeks.

This event was graced by Selangor royalty, Tengku Zatashah Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah, who is a regular KSK volunteer and over the years worked alongside Malaysians of all ages and backgrounds to bring food and medical care to the needy.

“It was truly an amazing experience for all the volunteers in this soup kitchen project, and we encourage other schools to join and contribute as well,” said Dr. Sarvinder Kaur, School of Foundation Studies Head, APU.

“Not everyone steps forward when someone is in need,” explains Dr. Sarvinder, “But Ms. Anuratha Kanniah (School of Foundation Studies Senior Lecturer) and students have shown kindness by supporting the local community and collectively give ourselves so freely and selflessly regardless of who we are.”

APU’s School of Foundation intends to continue the collaboration with KSK in eradicating poverty by supporting their other various initiatives as well.

“We had shown good commitment as part of the KSK’s team, and it is where we take things a step further, not just by volunteering to pack and distribute food, but also by getting more involved in the local and international community.

“Being an educator, we are glad to be able to engage our young learners beyond the classroom despite the pandemic by providing an opportunity to them to give back to the community,” she concluded.

APU students could indeed learn about poverty among the urban poor, how we as individuals can make a difference in the lives of others, and how to eradicate and fight poverty by participating in such a program.