Gang of Three, Power of One

Last month, three Old Girls working in the same department in a company in KL went about asking colleagues and friends for help. Just RM1 - that was all they asked of each person. Power of One.

Here, the gang of three - (from left) Li Yin, Hwei Chin and Jenny.

Here, their stories.

From the kepala, Leong Li Yin, Class of '80, mom to two teens, who says she'll always remain a 21-year-old at heart:

"The big day finally dawned - July 1. Yes, the start of our month-long donation drive. A Tuesday. Second day after pay day. Was very busy liaising with auditors on the half-yearly closing of accounts but, what the heck, I love my school. The show must begin!

An engineer-colleague who I haven't seen for a while (because my department is a restricted area) stopped by to say hi. We chatted. Then, I said, "Do you think you can spare a ringgit for my school?" I went on to tell him that TMGS was a mission school which needed to find its own funds for building maintenance and how the school buildings were in need for repairs and pest control.

He told me that he too was from a mission school, as he took out his wallet, fished out a RM50 note and handed it to me! My mouth fell open. I had asked for RM1 and he was giving 50 times more!

I asked if he was sure he wanted to part with so much money. After all, this was soon after the latest 78 sen/litre petrol price hike. He said yes. That really made my day. So, I gave him my thank-you note (see below) and invited him to visit our TMGS OGGB blogspot.

Treacher Methodist Girls School (Taiping) - Live worthily

Your Power of ONE has contributed WORTHILY.

Thank you from an Old Girl of TMGS.

Please visit http://tmgsoldgirlsgiveback.blogspot.com/

The ball started rolling since this person has given me so much encouragement and positive response. Together, Hwei Chin, Jenny and I approached our other colleagues. Some gave as asked but most gave double or multiplied.

There were not-so-pleasant encounters. I will always remember the lecture I received for five minutes or more. About how the government "would shrink from responsibilities because there are caring people like us to chip in." About how what my gang is doing would encourage the government not to take any action faster or further because "when the going gets tough, the tough will be taken care by others." Well. He gave ten-fold.

Some questioned if the money would be used accordingly and not go towards lining someone's pocket. A Chinese saying goes: "On one hand, the fingers are of different lengths." So, the three of us had expected all sorts of reactions.

On the last day of July, I went to an evening seminar and had this idea of a grand finale. Alas. Not a ringgit collected as I was a lone ranger and did not have the courage to ask a roomful of strangers.

I thought of the last weekend of June, when I sat at my table cutting out the thank-you notes. Hurrah!"

From Tan Hwei Chin, Class of '98, who studied at TMGS from Form One:

"July 1, the day an important mission needs to be carried out. The last week of June, we reminded each other the big day is coming. We even told some colleagues to be prepared for July 1 as we would carry out an important event, which would remain a secret till then. Seemed really mysterious, ha ha.

My first RM1 came from my special friend early in the morning, at 7am. I just asked for RM1 from him. He did not ask why. I told him in short, "It's for my school."

The first day was not too bad. I managed to collect RM1 from the people I went to. Some of them forked out more. My yoga instructor gave RM10. I remember what she said: "Huh? RM1? Is it enough? Never mind. I'll give you RM10." I was smiling with joy and gratefully thanked her.

The donation drive went along for the week and everyone commented that I "still remember" my school. They did read the small note that Li Yin has prepared and were very much interested to visit the blog.

I went back to Taiping in the first week of August. After breakfast at Restoran Kakak, instead of my normal route home, I made the turn heading to our school. I approached it from the direction of the museum and was shocked to see how bad our school has turned. Right from the teachers' hostel, it was without a roof. Probably being repaired. The rest of the blocks were ugly. Their paint is in bad shape. Everything is not good. How unfortunate it is."

From Jenny Lee, Class of '96:

"Doing fund-raising!! Never done it in my life! I felt challenged having to ask people to donate for my school. I also felt excited because I was able to help and give back to our school."

Just how much did Li Yin, Hwei Chin and Jenny collect through Power Of One?

"It's so co-incidental that the sum is Rm388, which means flourish, prosper and prosper in Cantonese," said Li Yin. Hmm, very auspicious for our TMGS Old Girls Give Back initiative.

To these three Old Girls - Hurrah! Hurrah! HURRAH!

In process

It has been some time since I last posted. Previously, I shared my puzzlement that the visits have not resulted in contributions. The question then arose --- should this blog be continued?

Just then, angels came. First, an OG in Atlanta. A friend since Std One, Phang said we just need to keep reaching out to more OGs. A few days later, another friend asked me to hold on. A few days later, Puan Noriza called to give her assurance that the funds generated would be used for improving the school buildings (I had shared with her OGs' concern on this). She said the funds would be recorded in a separate statement under the PIBG account and that Ms Lim would be in charge.

A few days later, a mom I know from my children's class came over to me and whispered, "Live worthily," like a secret sisterhood code. Jenny went on to say: "I had just learned to get on the Net, and was surfing just some nights ago. I don't know what came over me but I decided to type in 'TMGS.' That took me to your blog. I saw your name and your picture but it didn't click that it was you! I had read through the blog and was scrolling up when it hit me...aiyoo!"

Jenny bouys me with her enthusiasm. A week after we had the above encounter, she emailed to say that her Class of '77 would do something. Then, my cousin called late in the night, when I was already in bed, to ask if the collection is still on. Told her, yes. She then told me that her gang of OGs are meeting up end of this month and she'd tell them.

Hey, things are happening, after all. I am simply heartened.

Enough to say this once again --- to all the OGs within earshot, let's just do this for our school, alright? Give. It needn't be a lot. Just give. Please.