This jovial middle aged man is Mr Koh Seng Choon, the founder of Dignity Kitchen.
I bet everyone's blogging about Dignity Kitchen after mr Damien brought us there on Monday for a field trip.
Mr Koh shared about how he started Dignity Kitchen, I am marvelled by how he could share with us his journey so enthusiastically, he must have gone through those slide a bajillion times before us.
I hope that some day, I would be that passionate and crazy to start something of my own.
It is really no easy feat to start something like Dignity Kitchen, of that scale and to manage and sustain it throughout the coming 5 years.
He is 53 this year, has two kids and juggles 4 other jobs. Dignity Kitchen isn't generating much to contribute to his income and with his qualifications (Masters degree in Engineering), he really didn't need to set this up.
He could have gotten a high paying job and enjoy early retirement, and in his spare time volunteer. Not start this SE and have the burden of being responsible for these physically & mentally challenged individuals on his back.
It was endearing to see how he has created a whole system whereby the disabled people working there could be in a safe and conducive environment. All those special hand gestures, it was all so sweet as if they were an extended family. The idea of these disabled teaching the abled these signs to communicate with them was very powerful. When are we going to realize that a inclusive environment not only means having special services for them? It also means learning how to communicate with them, truly UNDERSTANDING them. When he shared the stories of his employees, I honestly feel that he is someone with lots of strength. Not only physical, but mental.
Like he mentioned, none of his children are disabled, he doesn't have any obligation whatsoever to start this, and yet, he did.
I asked Mr Koh if he ever felt like giving up, something I tend to succumb too ever so often when I start projects of my own.
He replied "All the time" With resignation but it just made him all the more real, and I feel that's why he is so relatable. He's so honest about everything. I think if I was mr Koh (Thank God I'm not..) I would have really lost it a loooooong time ago. But he's so innovative and resilient to see his dream come to pass. Values that I too want to own.
It's actually incredibly near my house..5 minutes walk away?
Feel kinda guilty that I've never patronised them..not like I didn't know about their existence..
I have done my part of sharing this with friends and family, its nothing much but at least its something! Now my family can eat there when we're lazy to cook hahaha whattt! The food's affordable and really yummy :9
We can't ALL start dignity kitchens. but we can help to spread word about it!
Sup Grace,
ReplyDeleteI also felt that Mr Koh is indeed a noble person, with that many qualifications and expertise, he didn't really have to set up Dignity Kitchen.
What most touched me is that when he said he was going to give up, he came across this kid in the hawker centre who was chewing on his arm which made him persevere in his cause.
After being there to see the place and listened to his stories, we both know that Dignity Kitchen is very well managed and Mr Koh spent lots of time and effort in training and innovating ways to allow these disabled individuals to be productive and earn an income.
Not only that, he also have free daily meals for the elderly from homes which heavily minimizes his revenue.
I guess after saying so much, I just want to reiterate one of his 'quotes' which he said; "Just one day of volunteering per month", I guess that really striked me when we have so much time to spend elsewhere but we can't spend one day volunteering for a good cause; what more it allows us to socialise and gain connections.
Mr Koh is indeed insightful and noble ;)
PS: LOVE THE FOOD
Hi Grace
ReplyDeleteI really salute Mr Koh for his spirit of giving as well! With a Masters degree he could have been a high-ranking employee in a multinational company yet he chose a path that is filled with obstacles.
Don't feel upset that you are lacking of the values you mentioned you have hoped to achieve because you as an individual have a set of different values. Further, values can be inculcated overtime and it is even so, with your new ice-cream business coming up within a few months time. Mr Koh, likewise may have gain these values along his learning journey when he was an amateur as well. I am in particular amazed by how resourceful he is when he needs help from people with certain expertise. An example would Chef Eric Teo whom coincidentally is my friend's dad. I guess all these comes with years of experience and struggle that Mr Koh have went through. With just two more examinations, it shall be our turn to venture and learn from the difficulties life can throw at us.