Andy Chia’s blog

Sebastian & I delivered 2 wheelchairs which were donated by YB Datuk Peter Chin to the less fortunate in Miri. Photo shows the recepients at the Miri Dialysis Centre at The Red Crescent.

Have you been to the Miri Dialysis Centre? Patients with kidney problems have to undergo dailysis treatment 3 times a week. Each visit takes 4 hours and can cost up to RM250. it means that kidney patients cant work like a normal person. They have to spend long hours 3 times a week in the centre. They have to pay for treatment. They lose productive working hours. Fortunately, the Miri Kidney Dialysis Centre runs by the Red Crescent is available to help the kidney patients, including subsidising the cost of dialysis. RM 200 each time means about RM2400 a month for treatment. How many people can afford this? Fortunately, through the Red Crescent of which YB Datuk Patinggi George Chan & YB Lee Kim Shin are actively involved in, & together with the many generous public donations, the treatments are heavily subsidised to enable even a poor man to get treatment.

So my friends, look after your kidneys & your body. Stay healthy. Also give back to the society to help the less fortunate whenver you are able. "Got money, donate; got strength, contribute time & effort".

Make Miri City & our society a better place to live for all!

Do you know about the Autistic Centre in Piasau Garden, Miri? [Sorry photo not proper...still learning to post this correctly...maybe one of you can guide me please]. Photo was taken during my visit to the Autistic Centre on Monday 21st  APril. Autistic children are ’special’ children as they dont behave like normal kids. They are usually shy & reserved, can not communicate normally & they learn slow. They require special attention & teaching. Unfortunately, we dont have a proper centre yet. This one is set up by concerned parents. These people need help and financial assistance. Sometimes we forget that we are more fortunate. Family members of autistic children really have to pay special attention to their kids.

If you have brothers or sisters still in school, please tell them to learn to understand ’special’  children. Dont make fun of them, but instead, show their love & care, ‘cos they really need these. ok?

TQ.

It was Earth Day weekend on 20th April. Some 40 divers volunteered to go out to sea to clean up the diving spots. Amongst them were these two young men who brought along a small video camera device that goes underwater by remote comtrol. It is used to see underwater but with the users in the boat. Nice huh? It can be used for hobby[expensive!] and for commercial purposes like inspection etc. Well donw fellows!! And cheers to all the volunteers who helped  clean up our diving spots . Thank you all!

It was a day of great fun for the kids, and memorable mid April weekend for the adults who came with families & friends to enjoy the weekend social, sports & religious event. Traditional dances, games etc. OC Romeo told me that he used to play those games which were played by the children that day. Tradition has not changed. And heh, the Bishop, Anthony Lee, was there too. He is a fine gentlemen. He told me with an unmistakable smile, "no speeches from me outside the church, please".  Great fun. Great people. I love it!

If I was looking gloomy , it was because I really was. I visited the Miri Society for the Blind at Krokop Jee Foh 8 on Thursday[10th April] to meet this old abandoned blind woman. She stayed in Bekenu but was rejected by her family. A caring police officer tried sending her back to her home but was not successful as the family again rejected her. Who would do such a thing to a blind old lady? Anyway, together with volunteers, the caring police officer and some governmant servants, we tried to find a solution for her. Pending the outcome now that the muslim community, with the assistance of YB Rosey from Bekenu, is helping this case, a kind hearted family in Padang Kerbau is taking care of her temporarily. We hope that everything will turn up right eventually.

Fancy this. Sebastian & myself visited Kampong Piasau Utara this afternoon and was met by nearly a hundred residents there. Piasau Utara, Pujut, is a kampong with majority muslim residents. The good folks here led by muslim leaders had approached Datuk Peter Chin, Sebastian Ting and yours truly [Andy Chia] for assistance to help build a chapel for the christian residents there [already had a surau there]. The Lands & Survey had granted a piece of land for the chapel. We are now trying to raise fund to help this meaningful cause. The people have spoken. The christians want a place of worship. The muslim friends have supported them. SUPP will definitely support this. You can bet on it!

"The Lord has His ways"- Not too long ago, I was looking for the tel contact of Bishop Anthony Lee to tell him of this project.  Before I could call him, he was sitting right beside me in a coffee shop outside M Square. "Somebody" seemed to have sent Bishop to me, or vice versa. Very interesting indeed. Bishop infact knew of this project and gave his full blessing. The land was earlier approved through his good effort.

I really have full confidence and desire to make this project a success for all the people concerned. For those of you who are christians, pray for this success. And tell your friends what wonderful muslim friends we have here in Miri !

Living together in harmony..this is the way forward!