STARTING POINT: SKUP on launching day. Also seen are SKUP advisor Datuk Lily Yong (centre) and Rev Fr Simon Poh (front row fourth left).
THOMAS Tan, 32 is a classic role model of a handicapped person (OKU).
He tries to excel in things normal people do — from driving to doing voluntary work for the less fortunate in Kuching.
Since joining the Society for Kuching Urban Poor (SKUP) and 1AZAM Community Skills Centre, he has found meaning in life by helping the poor and the destitute, especially OKUs.
Among SKUP’s main objectives are to assist in welfare; food aid applications; students’ aid; skills training; home help services; vegetable cultivation to supplement income; repair and improve houses, and the one-family-one-graduate programme.
LENDING A HAND: Thomas helping to distribute food to the poor.
SKUP now has 10 members assisting some 200 families in Kuching.
The following is a recent interview with Thomas.
Q: Please tell us something about yourself.
A: I’m a Catholic Chinese Malaysian. I was born with a few disabilities — nerve deafness in my left ear, lack of sense of smell (anosmia) and lack of male hormonal development (Kallmann’s Syndrome). I studied at St Joseph’s Kuching primary and secondary schools. I continued my studies in Unimas on teaching English as a second language for four years. But I didn’t get very good results. Although I’m Chinese, I’m not very familiar with Chinese culture. So you can say I’m banana — yellow on the outside, white on the inside, especially since I’m more familiar with western culture rather than my own. I am the eldest son in the family. I have another younger brother. My father Francis Tan is a pensioner but still holds a job. My mother Veronica Sia is a housewife.
Q: How did you come to work for the SKUP and 1AZAM Community Skills Centre?
A: I was invited by a friend a few years back to help SKUP. That was when SKUP just started. So I helped where I could but stopped for a while. Then one day, Col (Ret) Fabian Wong met me at a cafe where I was working. He asked me whether I wished to change job and if I wanted to, there was an opening at SKUP. So I applied for the job and got it. In the middle of that year, he asked me to give more attention to 1AZAM Community Skills Centre – that’s what I’ve been doing till today.
HELPING OUT: A typical delivery of SKUP’s daily operations.
Q: Are you confident of accomplishing your mission, responsibilities and duties, considering you are an OKU?
A: Yes, although my disabilities do make it difficult for me to perform in the way people expect of me. For example, I doze off easily during the day and I find manual labour tiring. But with God’s grace, I’ll try my best. Now I am a committee member of SKUP Home Help Services, serving the elderly poor and OKUs. My focus will be on the OKUs.
Q: Are your parents supportive of your work and volunteerism? In what ways are they supporting you and helping you? Are they concerned you might not be able to do your work? What do you want to say to them?
A: They are supportive, and like Col (Ret) Fabian, want to see me give more focus to my work – such as sleeping early and driving more carefully. My mother also thinks it would be better for me not to carry heavy things as I had a heart operation while still young. My parents give me lots of advice on how to perform my duties and behave in the workplace. I thank them for their advice.
HANDLING COMPUTERS: Thomas and staff members of SKUP undergoing computer training at Giat Mara Kuching located at Jalan Budaya.
Q: What’s the most satisfying thing in your work ever since you are attached to SKUP?
A: Making friends, especially Muslim friends. Before I started my work, I knew only a few Muslims and even fewer poor ones. It’s always good to see the smiling faces of those we help and that they are now having a better life through our efforts. They are looking healthier and happier than before. They acknowledge our efforts and they write thank you letters to us.
Q: Is your work helping you to improve yourself? What have you learnt? Do you consider yourself a better person now?
A: Yes, I have learnt much from SKUP members, especially Col (Ret) Fabian Wong. I’ve learnt to be more disciplined and how to behave like a good subordinate. I have learnt I have limited knowledge and need to improve myself to be on par with others and, if possible, have better knowledge than others.
Colonel Fabian has given me a lot of assignments. He is driving me hard. I’m tougher than most people think. I am trying my best to keep up and keep going. I remember the saying when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. These lessons I learned have helped me to be a better and tougher person.
Q: Do you drive a car? Are you good at it? Have you ever had accidents? What is your advice or tips to OKUs on driving?
A: Yes I drive — although people tell me I drive too fast and take unnecessary risks. I have had many accidents due to poor judgment and carelessness. My advice to OKUs on driving is to challenge yourself to be better and always step out of your comfort zone so you can improve. Be not afraid.
WITH FAMILY: Thomas (standing right) and his brother James with their parents.
Q: Name some men and women who inspire you to work for SKUP, a charitable welfare NGO? Give a short description how they inspire you?
A: When talking of the poor, I think of St Francis of Assisi who stripped himself of everything, even his clothes, trusting his bishop and God to take care of him. He is a good example of a man who treats the poor as people who are poor, not a faceless group of people idealised for various purposes. Another inspiration is Bai Fang Li who, between the ages of 74 and 90 gave all his hard-earned income as a pedicab driver to a school so that more than 300 poor students could continue with their studies. Imagine willingly undergo suffering for years and years so that strangers can have a better life!
Q: Do you think the government should do more for OKUs. If so, what are the things you would suggest that should be provided on top of what have been given OKUs?
A: A think tank can be organised on how OKUs can achieve their full potential and be part of society — the skills needed, where and how they can find help. Steps suggested by this think tank can be taken and then research done to find out how successful these steps are. This should be an on-going process over many years. OKUs should be part and parcel of the people contributing to community development and nation-building.
Now, I am appointed a committee member of SKUP Home Help Services for Kuching Division. Home Help Services is a new project in Sarawak, launched by the government under the Ministry of Welfare, Women and Family Development. The aim is to provide services to the elderly and OKUs. My part is focusing on helping OKUs.
Q: What is your message for OKUs like yourself, in Sarawak? How should they improve themselves and not depend too much on others and the government?
A: Nothing wrong with being dependent on others. Just make sure your dependence doesn’t paralyze you – that’s to stop you from doing your part and your best to achieve your dreams. Also cultivate an attitude of gratefulness for everything received, no matter how big or small. Never think anyone owes you anything for any reason.
HARI RAYA TREAT: SKUP members and recipients visiting the Open House of Housing and Urban Development Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg during Hari Raya.