The Compassionate Heart of NSS Centre

While it took dying children in third world countries to open up the eyes and hearts of Bill and Melinda Gates to the sufferings of children from diseases that have supposedly been eradicated, which led to them setting up the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, it took the devastating earthquake in Sichuan, China in 2008, to open up the compassionate heart of Dr. Hwang Jyh Yuan (Hurricane Hwang Ph.D.) who, following an emergency humanitarian aid to the town, founded and established NSS Centre, which stands for Nok Sin Service Centre, in Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.

History
NSS Centre was founded by Dr. Hwang Jyh Yuan (Dr. Hurricane Hwang) in 2008 following the Sichuan earthquake.

Although Dr. Hwang was in Malaysia at that time, the impact on him was great as he had a good friend who was in Sichuan then.

With loss of contact for a week, Dr. Hwang had thought that his friend, a tour guide who was leading a group of 26 other friends on a tour of China, had perished in the disaster.

One could only imagine the relief Dr. Hwang felt when his friend finally managed to make contact, to update friends and family back home that despite the devastation, he, and his group of tourists, had survived.

That led to an immediate humanitarian mission of cash donations to Sichuan, led by Dr. Hwang’s Buddhist master, Rev. Master Hai Tau, as a form of thanksgiving to the locals, who despite their own hardships due to the disaster, had provided shelter and meals to this group of foreigners from Malaysia.

Charity continues…
Although Sichuan is back on its feet after that episode, Dr. Hwang, who likened it to be the most valuable lesson in his life, with support from friends, established NSS Centre at Tow Boh Keong temple in Ipoh, in order to continue with charitable works.

In Dr. Hwang’s own words, “The 2008 Sichuan earthquake definitely opened up my eyes and heart to the sufferings of the world. I feel that it is a privilege for those who are able to give back to society.”

Prayers for the deceased
As a result of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, NSS Centre, annually on May 12, conducts a mass Buddhist ‘liberation’ ceremony to absolve the sufferings of all victims (deceased) of natural disasters around the world.

In 2010, NSS Centre organised a massive liberation ceremony for the deceased at Syuen Hotel, where 108 Buddhist monks from Taiwan were brought in to conduct the ceremony for eight consecutive days.

Education
At NSS Centre, much emphasis is placed on the importance of education, particularly moral education instilled in children from a young age.

The centre prints books on DiZiGui (Confucius study) which are distributed free-of-charge to the public and used as teaching material to pupils at Chinese schools.

Selected teachers of these schools attend DiZiGui classes held at the premises of NSS Centre, who in turn impart these lessons to their students during moral classes twice weekly.

Leading children on the right path in life and teaching them filial piety values are most important, more than any riches that parents could provide.

Philosophically speaking, each person has three mothers. The first is biological mother, second is Mother Earth and the third is mental spirit. It is through moral education that mental spirit is developed.

If more children are taught these moral righteousness, we wouldn’t be seeing the current situation of moral decay faced by society today.

DiZiGui Cultural Exhibitions
The first cultural exhibition organised in November 2009 was officiated by Dato’ SK Devamany, the then Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

This May 26, NSS Centre is organising a cultural exhibition on DiZiGui at Poi Lam High School (SUWA) in Ipoh. All are welcome to the exhibition. Admission is free-of-charge.

Free talks
NSS Centre conducts health talks on the prevention of illnesses and diseases in every day life.

In addition, dharma talks are held at least once a week, on Wednesday evenings.

Those who are interested to attend these talks may contact NSS Centre at +605-2433616 during office hours. All are welcome.

Welfare aid
Those who are critically ill and burdened by mounting medical bills can apply for welfare aid from NSS Centre. Said NSS Centre adviser, Mr. Chong Kar Lui, “Each case is evaluated by a team of volunteers at our centre, and deserving cases will be assisted accordingly.”

Every month, the centre financially supports some eight to ten households. Other segments of the community that are aided by NSS Centre include those facing financial hardships and single mothers.

Fund raising for schools
Two years ago, RM200,000 was raised for SJK(C) Wan Hua 2 in Menglembu and topped up by the committee members and volunteers at NSS Centre. Putting education at the forefront, the centre continues to raise funds for schools on a needs-based basis.

Orphanages and Old Folks’ Homes
NSS Centre realises that there are some orphanages and homes for senior citizens, particularly in Ipoh, that are well-supported. Therefore, volunteers at the centre try to go to homes located at remote areas of Perak, bringing with them provisions and other necessities.

In December 2009, together with Syuen Hotel, NSS Centre sponsored 20 sets of beds and bedding to the old folks’ home in Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta in Tanjung Rambutan. There are more than a hundred inmates there – the 20 beds certainly came in useful.

African orphans
Supporting the work of Amitofo Care Centre (ACC), where orphans in Africa are given education, lessons in DiZiGui and martial arts training, in July 2010, NSS Centre organised a performance by these African children at Syuen Hotel, where all proceeds from ticket sales were channelled to ACC’s cause in Africa.

Through Amitofo Care Centre, more than 3000 orphans in the African nations of Malawi, Congo and Swaziland are benefiting from this programme.

Some of these children will be in Ipoh this July for a special performance.

The Biography of Siddhartha
As the main sponsor of the Hong Kong movie, The Biography of Siddhartha, founder and Chairman of NSS Centre Dr. Hwang hoped that those who watch this movie can adopt some of the values of Prince Siddhartha. The most important lesson of all in life would be learning to ‘let go’.

Similar to the ACC performance, all proceeds from ticket sales will also be channelled to African orphans.

Therefore, anyone who watches this movie at the cinema is doing his part in charity. The Biography of Siddhartha will be released in cinemas in China some time in July or August this year, followed by Malaysia, and selected countries in South East Asia.

The movie stars some of the biggest names in the Hong Kong entertainment circle, such as Ray Lui Leung Wai, Jennifer Tse Ting Ting, Evergreen Mak Cheung Ching, He Shen Ming, Chui Tien You, Law Kar Ying, Lee Lung Gei and Eddie Cheung Siu Fai

Volunteers
NSS Centre is always in need of volunteers. Those who could spare the time, kindly drop by at the centre’s office to see how best to assist.

Sponsorship / Patron-ship
As NSS Centre is a non-profit organisation, this charitable body depends on the generosity and goodwill of public well-wishers. Those who are financially capable are encouraged to donate cash to NSS Centre, whereby a collective amount is more effective to aid those in need.

To donate, head to the centre’s office at Tow Boh Keong temple in Ipoh. For further information on sponsorship in cash or kind, or even patron-ship, contact NSS Centre at its office phone number: +605-2433616 during office hours.

Future plans
The NSS Foundation is in the process of being established. In line with the vision of its founder, Dr. Hwang, a foundation would allow NSS to go global and reach more people who are in need of aid, and not only within Malaysia, irrespective of race, culture or religion.

NSS Centre
Add: Tokong Tow Boh Keong, 12, 1st Floor, Jalan Tokong, 31650 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel: +605-2433616
Fax: +605-2432616

Office hours:
Mon – Fri: 9am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 1pm
Sun & public holiday: by appointment only

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