10 Nov 2011 - A few days ago, I had this strange urge to call up Melissa, the caretaker of Selva Home For The Special Ones in Segamat to enquire how things are with them since our last visit in June. We exchanged the usual pleasantries for a while before she broke down and cried. It turned out that she was having sleepless nights and at her wits’ end as to how to solve the current crisis looming over her head. Their financial is in dire straits due to lack of contributions coming in and they have been issued the Notice of Termination by both Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) and Syarikat Air Johor (SAJ) for utility bill arrears amounting to RM2000. Supply will be disconnected if payment is not settled by 10 November. My heart went out to her upon hearing this and immediately called up Hubby to see how much we can afford to help. Bless dear Hubby’s big heart, he offered to approach some friends in Segamat to chip in and help settle the full outstanding amount, definitely not a small sum. Within the hour, Hubby managed to secure commitment from his Sangha brothers in a Segamat temple and another friend from his hometown.
Achieving this within such short span of time is no mean feat and thanks to Hubby and his kind-hearted friends, Melissa is able to settle the outstanding bills. Melissa’s relief is apparent in her breaking voice when the news is related to her. Dear Hubby and his friends were likened to angels who came to the rescue and offered the light of hope to her when she was drowning in darkness. Words can’t describe the pride I feel for Hubby for going out of his way to render his help. My initial intention was just to extend some amount of financial help to lighten Melissa’s debt but Hubby went a step further and solved the situation for her. Her gratefulness to Hubby is equivalent to the pride I feel for this dear man. Someone once told Hubby that he is lucky to have me as his wife, a fact which I refuted, and instead told her that it is I who is blessed to have him as my husband. My appreciation and respect also goes to Hubby’s friends whose compassion for the unfortunate rose above doubts and wariness upon hearing the Home's plight, and they responded to the call of help, readily and unconditionally. They have not met Melissa and in time to come they may even forget this day, but rest assured Melissa will never forget them.
Some say that what we did is akin to putting out a fire, only to have other fires litting up elsewhere in future. Well, everyone is entitled to their views and both Hubby’s and mine are that the least we can do is put out whatever fire that is in front of us if we are able to. Hopefully, another kind soul will help put out the next fire and so forth. We are fully aware of the various problems in running a Home, especially for one in a less-caring community where contributions is almost non-existent. People judge too easily, doubt too much and care too little. A little help goes a long way and gives people like Melissa and other Homes’ owners the motivation to strive on. They are doing good for the society...they take in the abandoned ones, they clothe and feed the homeless and the helpless, they care for those special ones whose family are unable to do so, they take in the abused and give them love. Theirs is not a profit-driven venture but rather one that driven by love and compassion. They are the Angels that God put on Earth to take care of the unfortunate ones.
A Big Thank You to Hubby and Friends for being the Candle that brought Light to this Home
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