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Hello again! 

First of all, I would like to apologize for putting off the writing of this final wrap-up for the fulfillment of Mohd. Hatim’s wish because I’ve been really caught up in a lot of things, especially with dealing with my own studies as well as with regards to the University & University Colleges Act 1971 (UUCA) charge by the university against me and three of my other Political Science course mates from UKM. However, this post is not about what I’ve been up to recently or what has been going on with regards to my UUCA case, so I shall leave that to your ‘Google’ kung fu to find out more about it. And yes, I am one of the four from THE UKM4. Heh…

Anyway, to go straight into my final wrap-up for the fulfillment of Mohd. Hatim’s wish, I would like to start by thanking ALL OF YOU for the great work you have done, generous contributions that you have donated as well as the encouraging support that you have fueled me with throughout the entire fulfillment of this pledge. It wasn’t easy and I couldn’t have done it without all of your support and I sincerely appreciate every single one of the generous gestures.

Looking back at what we have achieved through the fulfillment of Mohd. Hatim’s wish, with the little resources that we had, I think we did pretty well and created quite a bit of an impact and awareness in the society, urging more and more people to be more participative in issues concerning the society. Throughout the one week period of the photography exhibition, we have actually impacted a lot more people than we originally anticipated due to the great location generously sponsored by Jaya 33′s management.

Aside from creating positive impact locally, I’m also pleased to say that the pledge for Mohd. Hatim managed to create positive impact at international level! Colin Shafer of Colinizing Photography brought about 20 Burmese children, who are currently participating in the “See The World Through Our Eyes” photo-education project, to join us for the exhibition.  It was really too bad that Uncle Hatim couldn’t be with the children because he suffered a terrible fall on the same day he was supposed to meet the children. In the end, the children also had a great time looking at the photographs as well as to learn more about how each picture is taken by Uncle Hatim, as explained by Colin.

Whenever I look back at this picture of the exhibition below, my mind will always wonder back into that 1-2 months period of this entire project to fulfill Mohd. Hatim’s wish. It made me think about the altruistic nature of human and also the generous support from the public, willing to give up its own time and money, to help to fulfill the wish of a total stranger. I’ve droned on and on again about all the generous sponsorship in kind and financial contributions donated to help make this entire project and photography exhibition possible. Also, a quick shout-out to Nikon & Epson Malaysia for their generous sponsorship of the printing of the photographs as well.

Taking down the pictures one-by-one at the last day of the exhibition, for the very last time, made me reflect on how it must’ve felt for Uncle Hatim to see his own works and photographs printed, mounted and put up for exhibition, to be shared with the rest of the world. All I can say is that the smile that broke out between his lips on the official launching of the exhibition by Senator Gan Ping Sieu made it all worth the pain, sweat and tears that I’ve put into putting this entire thing together. It wasn’t my own effort alone but I must say that the feeling of seeing someone’s wish fulfilled have made it all worth it for me. 

 Throughout the photography exhibition at Jaya 33, my routine EVERYDAY was to go to the exhibition venue at Jaya 33, PJ as early as I could from UKM, Bangi by public transportation to set-up and put the pictures up before the shops open so that when the first customers of the day stepped into the mall, the photographs are already up for display. And every evening, before I head back to campus, I would take all the photographs down and leave them at the receptionist’s desk for safe-keeping. 

I’ve also promised the management that I will keep the entire exhibition space clean and scratch-free on the tiled floors throughout the exhibition. After I’ve put all the photographs away, I began to fold the chairs and tables to be put aside, waiting to be collected by the kind and helpful people at Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya, who played a crucial role in fulfilling Mohd. Hatim’s wish by supply us with the exhibition panels used for the exhibition. 

 Something that really touched my heart at the end of this entire project was that on the last day of the exhibition, my friend from campus who also suffered a stroke in his mid-20s, actually came and visited the exhibition. Well, he was there mainly because he wanted to get in touch with NASAM but at the same time, this exhibition is also for stroke victims like him, who struggles from day-to-day fighting to keep their spirit up and to continue to believe in their own ability to break free from the constraints of a stroke condition.

Say HELLO to Loong:

I really don’t know what to say to wrap things up but I just want to say that it has been one incredible roller coaster ride for me for the past 1 or 2 months that I’ve worked on this project. The media coverage on the exhibition was also pretty good, considering that we were not only covered by the mainstream press media (special credits to Jonathan Teoh for the hi-res scans) but also on public radio! 

I’ve also transferred the generous donations from the public for Mohd. Hatim into his account on the first day of Raya 2010 and below is a computer-generated receipt from Maybank2U.

 Oh well, I guess this is it! Very likely the last time I’m going to write in this space and just want thank all of you again for the great time and awesome lessons learn from this entire project. Special shout-out to Jonathan for all of the assistance, contacts and encouragement along the way that have made all these possible. 

Cheers!

It has always been my objective to try to get as many people to participate in this pledge for Mohd. Hatim as possible and a couple of weeks before the exhibition was launched, I was approached by Colin Shafer (yes, it’s *the* Colin Shafer, columnist for The Malaysian Insider and photographer behind Colinizing Photography) if we could work something out between my pledge for Mohd. Hatim in the TLC Promise campaign with his own personal charity project called “See the World Through Our Eyes”, which is run by a group of volunteer college students to help 20 Burmese refugee children in Malaysia’s capital in learning the art of photography. Through this project, they hope to improve the student’s skills, self-esteem, passion for art, and allow them to tell their side of the story.

So, in order to give the students a general idea of photography, Colin decided to bring them over for the exhibition and to check out Mohd. Hatim’s photographs by using them as examples and illustrations. It was really inspiring for me to see Colin and his team’s effort in teaching and equipping these Burmese students (many of whom are in their teens, ie: 13-15 year olds) with skills that they can use to express themselves in an environment where their voices are not heard.

As usual, I’ll just share this incredible experience through pictures, courtesy of Lings and Chee Ming, who were there to keep my company for the day.

(Meet Colin!)

Here’s me giving an introduction to the students on the exhibition, my pledge for Mohd. Hatim, the incredible TLC Promise Me campaign and the importance of helping one another in a society. I tend to make strange faces when I talk, though. Heh.

Some of the students who were there. I remember one of them had the name ‘Peter Jackson’ on his name tag. He asked me if I’m a real ‘king’ (cause my name is….* King* Chai) and said that I have cool name. I told him, “*Trust me, yours is waaayyyy cooler*”.

Me using a paper airplane to illustrate the perspective of the camera taking a picture of the tail-end of the plane. Many of them thought it’s an interesting shot because not many people have seen the back of an airplane before.

Many of them also used their own cameras to take pictures of the photographs on display. It was very cute because some of them asked if they could bring the photos back.

(Group photo with Colin and his team. From L to R; King Chai, Colin Shafer, Rebecca and Joshua.)

Well, with the exhibition coming to an end, and so is my pledge for Mohd. Hatim in this campaign. The Burmese students were supposed to meet up with Mohd. Hatim during their visit but unfortunately Mohd. Hatim fell down in the bathroom in the morning and had to brought to the hospital for a check-up and x-ray. The family thinks he broke his hip bones

As many of us in the campaign have been trying to say in our own respective blog posts, our pledges don’t just end at the fulfillment of our beneficiary’s wish. Hopefully there’s more that we can do together to help Mohd. Hatim and his family.

More to come before I wrap up my pledge in this campaign.

*(This actually took place on the 1st of September 2010, a few days ago but I didn’t have the time to write about it until…. now. So, there ya go!)*

I started off in this TLC Promise Me campaign (http://www.tlcpromiseme.com/pledges/index.php/author/kingchai/) one month ago after picking up Mohd Hatim’s wish as my pledge and I could still remember how excited I was about the prospect of fulfilling someone’s wish, let alone a stranger, and to give him one more shot at doing what he loves again. Initially I  was a bit worried because I was wondering if I would be too busy to handle another personal project and I really didn’t want to do any ‘half-past-six’ or shoddy work, especially in something that has to do with someone’s wish in life.

There’s a cliche saying that goes like “it’s not so much about the destination but it’s the journey that matters“. Well, in my case, I like to think that BOTH the journey and the destination mattered to me and of course, to Mohd. Hatim and his family.

I’ve written a lot about my journey here on my blog at http://kopikluang.blogspot.com (and reposted again on TLC’s pledge progress page). So, today is finally the time when I actually get to write about the actual ‘destination’ or end goal of this project, now that I’ve reached almost the end of it.

The reason why I’m writing all of these is to thank all of you for also fulfilling MY wish. I have been debating a lot with my course mates about the relationship with public and private sector in solving the challenges and problems faced by the community. My wish in this campaign have been fulfilled after witnessing participation from all sectors of the society, be it the public sector or the private sector; government and non-government, students and the general public at large.

It has always been my objective to get as much participation as possible, from all sectors of the society, in fulfilling the challenges and problems faced by those who are less fortunate than us.

And of course, no posts are complete with PICTURES! So, here are some of them (courtesy of Jonathan Teoh of TLC, for the pictures):

Here you can see the exhibition space before the launching. Jonathan and Mr. Chay Tee were the first to arrive on scene to set up the TLC buntings and banners. What really blew me away was how hands-on both Jonathan and Mr. Chay Tee were, setting up the buntings and banners. Even though Mr. Chay Tee is the Director of TLC, he wasted no time in setting up for the launching the moment he arrived and introduced himself. Such a nice gentleman! And of course there’s Jonathan, being there every step of the way in the organization of this entire project. He did the bulk of behind-the-scenes work and his assistance was invaluable. The project couldn’t have made it this far without him. Thanks, yo!

And here we have the star of the exhibition, Mohd. Hatim himself. I’m very happy for him because his wish is finally fulfilled and the look  on his face, the moment he saw his own photographs on the exhibition panels, have made all of the effort in this project worthwhile. As I mentioned in my welcoming speech at the launching, it’s too bad that I couldn’t do miracles to heal him immediately but at least I’ve fulfilled one of his many wishes in life.

(Here’s Jonathan with Mohd. Hatim.)

(And guess what? My dad was there as well! And for those of you who have not met him, this is my dad and he contributed a lot to this campaign by helping to raise funds back home in Kluang to help Mohd. Hatim. And yes, his mustache can kick your ass a million times fold, thank you.)

(Here we have stroke patients from NASAM PJ coming to the launching of the exhibition to show their support for Mohd. Hatim. According to Ms. Nancy, one of the staff at NASAM, everyone likes Mohd. Hatim at the centre because of how cooperative and participative he is during sessions.)

(My welcoming speech. I spoke about my experience throughout this campaign and what were the lessons that I’ve learned in life that taught me the importance of giving my best for charity.)

Here’s Mr. Chay Tee delivering his speech. He shared about what the TLC Promise Me campaign is about and how it’s a platform for community participation in social service. TLC’s efforts in trying encourage youth participation in community service is really commendable and by engaging the youth by giving them the freedom to decide and plan how they want to fulfill their own respective pledges but at the same time providing them with all the help and support that they need.

Senator Gan Ping Sieu, the Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports officially launched the exhibition. In his speech, he stressed on the importance of youth and community participation in helping others who are less fortunate than us. He also reminded us that charity or helping others should not be limited by race or skin colour but rather should be need-based. You can read about his comments in the various news reports covered by the different papers (and Bernama TV!).

(L-R) Mr. Richard Yeoh, Local Councillor of MBPJ; Mr. Jonathan Teoh, TLC; Dr. Tengku Abdul Aziz, CEO of Yayasan Tunku Abdul Rahman; Ms. Lesley Ho, Senior Manager of NASAM; YB Senator Gan Ping Sieu, Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports; Mohd. Hatim, Star of the Day; Mohd. Muhaimin, Mohd. Hatim’s son; Woon King Chai, yeah that’s me; Mr. Khaw Chay Tee, Director of the Truly Loving Company.

Thank you all for making the launching event a success!

First media appearance on China Press!

Well, the big day is finally here and tomorrow will mark the fulfillment of my pledge for Mohd. Hatim and also in this campaign. It has definitely been one of the most intense learning experience that I’ve ever had, having to put together something like this in such a short time span. Challenging but nevertheless this has been an opportunity that has revealed to me that the society have the capacity to love and to care for one another.

Every single contributions, sponsorships, assistance, networks and help that each one of you have chipped in have made this event possible. I just was talking to Jonathan in the evening at the end of the setup after all the photographs are up, and suddenly everything felt so surreal. Big kudos to Hilman, Ashraf and Nazri for chipping in with their manpower and help with the carrying and setup of the panels, eventhough they were fasting and were not getting enough sleep. As what Hilman have always taught me, “Jangan gunakan bulan puasa sebagai alasan“. APOM!

There are so many stories behind-the-scenes that I want to share with you, but I have no choice to keep it until we’re done with the launching because there are still some final adjustments to be made.

It’s 11:17PM now and I’ll need to wake up really early (like 5AM early) in the morning to take the public transport to Jaya 33 to do some final adjustments and preparation for the launching. I still have the MC script and speech to take care of, so I’ll not spend too much time on this and get back to work!

Just want to include some of the pictures that I took today throughout the setup and looking at these pictures itself made me feel like all these efforts, sweat and tears are worth it.

I know I’ll sound bias as hell, but I think the exhibition looks great. I can’t wait to show the Mohd. Hatim the exhibition tomorrow. Don’t forget to come and join us at 10:30am, tomorrow (26/8/2010) at Jaya 33! See you there!

I’m so excited to finally break this news despite keeping this under wraps for a long time until all the final details are confirmed.

Nikon Malaysia and Epson have agreed to sponsor the printing and mounting services for Mohd. Hatim’s photographs in the coming photography exhibition, titled “Photography by Mohd. Hatim – A Wish Fulfilled”, which will launched this coming Thursday (26 August 2010) at 11:00am, Jaya 33, Jalan Semangat, Seksyen 13, Petaling Jaya by Yang Berhormat Senator Gan Ping Sieu, the Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports. It is very generous of Nikon Malaysia and Epson to provide us with professional printing and mounting of the photographs because let’s be honest: these things ain’t cheap!

Aside from that, MJ Cafe & Restaurant at Jaya 33 itself have also responded and agreed to prepare refreshments for the events. We know that it’s the fasting month of Ramadan but not everyone will be fasting. So, we’re preparing some very light refreshments after the launching event.

Quick info: The launch event will be quite a casual affair, so don’t worry too much about formality when you come for the launching event. We just want to fulfill Mohd. Hatim’s wish and at the same time hope to give all of you a good time at the exhibition. Once again, the details for the exhibition are:

“Photography by Mohd. Hatim – A Wish Fulfilled” DATE : 26th August 2010 (Thursday) TIME : 11:00am VENUE: Jaya 33, Jalan Semangat, Seksyen 13, Petaling Jaya.

Hope to see you guys there!

p/s: Don’t worry if you can’t make it for the launching event in the morning. We’ll be there for a week (until the 3rd September 2010). Do let me know if you’re coming and I may be able to arrange for a meet with Mohd. Hatim himself!

It is with great pleasure and honour for me to announce that *YB Senator Gan Ping Sieu, Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports*will be coming to launch and officiate the *’Photography by Mohd. Hatim – A Wish Fulfilled’* exhibition at *Jaya 33* next*Thursday (26/8/2010)* at *11am*.

Aside from that *Jaya 33* have also agreed to sponsor us an exhibition space at the mall and the local council, *Majlis Bandaraya Petaling Jaya (MBPJ)* will be assisting us in terms of setting up of the exhibition space for the photography exhibition.

One and a half months ago when I first embarked upon this project, I would never have imagined things would come this far and I’m very thankful and grateful to everyone who has been supporting us through various means so far, all along the way.

We’re still looking for financial sponsors and fundings! We are currently in need of generous individuals or private corporations/companies who would like to sponsor the cost of printing and framing of the photographs to be put up in this event. We are RM800 – RM1,000 short of hitting our target and every single contributions and donations help, regardless of the amount. *Every ringgit helps!* * * If you would like to make a contribution, you may do so by banking in the money at the following account details (Mohd. Hatim’s daughter) or you may get in touch with me at kingchai.woon@gmail.com or +6012-7226999 for more info:

Name: *NUR ASIKIN BINTI MOHAMAD HATIM* No. IC: *920420-14-5444 *Maybank Acc. No.: *162487095603*

Let’s chip in and play a part in fulling Mohd. Hatim’s wish. The launching of the photography exhibition is one week away and we must not stop the momentum now!

Thanks and would love to hear some feedback from you!

MOHD HATIM – Professional photographer for PETRONAS for 19 years, suffered from stroke 7 months ago and since then have been wheel chair bound and unable to do what he loves most: photography.

His wish is to be able to take photographs again and this photography exhibition is organized in his honour to allow him to showcase his masterpiece to the world and also to give him an opportunity to do what he loves most.

Born out of an initiative under the TLC Promise Me campaign, this photography exhibition is organized as part of an effort to fulfill Mohd. Hatim’s wish of photography and also to create more awareness amongst the general public in the challenges and problems faced by stroke victims. It is also aimed at getting the community involved in fulfilling the wishes of those who are less fortunate than us.

DETAILS OF THE LAUNCHING OF THE EXHIBITION:

Date : 26 August 2010 Time : 11:00am Place : Jaya 33, Jalan Semangat, Section 13, Petaling Jaya. (5 minute walk from Asia Jaya LRT Station) Officiator : To Be Confirmed

**** The launching event will mainly consist of a Press Conference by Mohd. Hatim and his family, representatives from TLC, NASAM PJ, Jaya 33 and also members of the media. The general public is more than welcome to attend the launching as Mohd. Hatim will be there in person to greet the public.

For more information regarding the progress of the pledge for Mohd. Hatim, do refer to the blog postings here: http://kopikluang.blogspot.com/

Feel free to contact King Chai (organizer) at 012-722 6999 or email: kingchai.woon@gmail.com for any inquiries.

Wow, what a week it has been!

News of our efforts to give Mohd. Hatim an opportunity to do what he loves again and to fulfill his wishes have reached my friends and family back home in Kluang (thanks to my Dad who’s been really supportive of this great initiative by TLC!). In case you didn’t know, Kluang is my hometown back in Johor. It’s where I grew up and it’s also where I learned the lessons of kindness and compassion. It’s also part of my blog’s title, Secawan Kopi Kluang (at http://kopikluang.blogspot.com), named after our famous black coffee right by the railway tracks

Here’s a Google map embed of Kluang:
View Kluang Country Club in a larger map

(in case the embed doesn’t work, you can check it out here: http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?doflg=ptm&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=108026063212976886459.00048d51c6ce1f557acc0&ll=2.017119,103.318874&spn=0.005576,0.009645&t=h&z=17 )

The hat was passed around and our friends back in Kluang have contributed a grand total of RM860.00 to help to fulfill Mohd. Hatim’s wishes! Every single cent, and every ringgit in this effort COUNTS and I just can’t thank all of you enough for all the supportive words and contributions that everyone of you have put into this. Here’s a list of donors from Kluang (and many of them are also friends from Kluang Country Club) as well as the amount of money that they have contributed to fulfill Mohd. Hatim’s wishes:

1 – Dato’ Suffian Bin Othman – RM 100

2 – Mr Phang Sin Shing – RM 50

3 – Mr Ho Chee Sing – RM 50

4 – Tuan Zam – RM 20

5 – Mr Rocky – RM 20

6 – Mr Loo Swee Loong – RM 20

7 – Mr Khoo Koi Yen – RM 20

8 – En Mohd Nor Sahari – RM 20

9 – En Syed A Jabar – RM 20

10 – Mr Tian Kok Shiung – RM 50

11 – Mr William Yap – RM 20

12 – Mr Chua Teck Ban – RM 20

13 – Mr Ong Sin Poh – RM 30

14 – Mr Eric Ong – RM 50

15 – Mr Tan King Guan – RM 20

16 – Mr Lai Teck Siong – RM 20

17 – Ms Jouce Law – RM 50

18 – Mr Steven Lim – RM 30

19 – Mr Lee Chee Kun – RM 50

20 – Mr Teh Chin Piaw - RM 50

21 – Mr Jack Lim – RM 50

22 – Mr Lim Sin Foo – RM 50

23 – Mr Woon Tian Pau – RM 50

I’m so humbled by the kindness and generosities from all of you back home. I would like to invite all of you join us for our photo exhibition which will be held on the 31st of August 2010 (Tuesday – Public Holiday). More details coming as that will be a very special announcement of it’s own

If any of you out there who would like to make a contribution to lend a hand in fulfilling Mohd. Hatim’s wish, you may do so by banking in the money at the following details. And again, do let me know so that I can update the list of donors and also for transparency sake:

Name: NUR ASIKIN BINTI MOHAMAD HATIM
No. IC: 920420-14-5444
Maybank Acc. No.: 162487095603

On a side note, Mohd. Hatim, family and I will go on photo outing this coming Friday (13/8/2010) at Subang Jaya. If you want to  accompany us and be part of this effort, do drop me an email at kingchai.woon@gmail.com or SMS me at +6012-7226999

Cheers and what an exciting begininng to a brand new week!