Home of The Happy Angels
The Little White Shoes - The Story Behind The Name
Years ago, a girl was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to a businessman father, a homemaker mother, and 4 siblings. When she was 2 years old, her father faced bankruptcy; the financial pressure compelled the family to escape from creditors by hiding in various small villages around Malaysia.At 7, they relocated to a small village in Sungai Petani, Kedah, where she started her primary school. Her family was still struggling to make ends meet and most of their clothes and shoes were donated by neighbours. Hoping she could get a pair of new white shoes for school, she applied for the school's "Poor Student Scheme", which gave the two poorest students in class a new set of uniform and a pair of shoes. On that fateful day in primary 3, she was elated to be awarded a new pair of shoes.
Bringing back the new shoes to show her mother, she was thinking about the praises she would get, since now she had freed up limited resources that could go toward her siblings' school fees. She was in for an awakening surprise.
Upon learning the origin of the shoes, her mother became upset.
"A lot of people are poorer than us, many of them could not even pay for their school fees and had to wear their torn shoes and uniform for a few years."
"My shoes have holes too... "
"I will sew and patch the shoes for you and that would last you for another year. Return the pair of shoes to the school and ask the headmaster to give them to another more needy student."
Her mother had wanted her to remember that in this world many people were dying of hunger and cold, many others were suffering from illness too. She was taught her first lesson to appreciate what she has and to learn to share.
The next day when she returned the shoes, the headmaster was very surprised and very touched. He tapped on her shoulder and said, "Your mother is the most kind-hearted lady I have ever seen. Her action is very noble." At that moment, she felt her mother's selflessness and unconditional concern for others, despite their own situation, were so warm and comforting. Her mother was like her guardian angel, guiding her along. Together, she wants to educate and influence others to be the angels to the less fortunate in our world today, giving hope and touching them - one heart at a time.
As this girl grew up, she learned about great people who devoted their time, and even their lives, to helping people. Although she knows she will never be like Mother Teresa or Princess Diana, she just wants to share her love in the smallest ways with the less fortunate people that she meets in her life. And convince others to feel the same. Together, she wants to educate and influence others to be the angels to the less fortunate in our world today, giving hope and touching them - one heart at a time.
In August 2002, together with friends Brian de Souza, Jackson Tan, and Toh Thiam How, she started an initiative that got together a group of volunteers with the objective to reach out to the less fortunate people in our community. In order to foster an identity, the name “The Happy Angels” and the motto ”We Care We Share” were formed. The size of membership has grown over the years to the current 40 volunteers comprising of flight attendants, pilots, aircraft engineers and people from all walks of life. The diverse background of the members provides interesting solutions to difficult situations, and also reinforces her commitment as chairperson of The Happy Angels.
The work has just begun.
