In The Media

The Star, 16 February 2002
Widow’s work with dogs gets attention of music conductor
 By Tunku Shahariah

ANIMAL LOVERS... Kam (right) assuring Kang that she will help her and her dogs by organising a special performance to raise funds.
PENANG: The plight of 60-year-old widow Kang Gaik Kee, who sacrificed her life to care for 80 stray dogs, has drawn the attention of a famous music director who wants to raise funds to help her.

Kam Sun-Yoke, who is music director and conductor of The Operafest Children’s Choir, said she could organise a special performance to raise funds but needed a donor to provide a suitable venue or hall.

“We’re going all out to raise funds for the dogs and will need all the generosity from anyone who wishes to help. All the proceeds from the performance will be channelled towards Kang’s quest for a permanent home for her ‘four-legged children’ and other deserving stray animals.

“Someone must go out to raise a lot of money for this special lady, who is doing what nobody else wants to do.

“I also want the children to realise the significance of such a sacrifice and make them be aware from an early age that the material world is not everything,’’ she said, after visiting Kang and the dogs at her ramshackle room behind the Kek Lok Si Temple in Air Itam here yesterday.

The Operafest Children’s Choir, which was formed in 1986 with the sole purpose of promoting the Arts and to provide sound education through music, has performed in prestigious choir festivals in the United States, Spain, Greece, Macedonia, Australia and Singapore.

The children ranging, from seven to 18, have also performed with the famous Vienna Boys’ Choir, Czechoslovakia Children’s Choir, made a guest appearance with the Trinity Boys’ Choir in England and performed in “All That Jazz” with Russian pianist Vlad Altukhov.

Kang’s plight was highlighted in The Star last month after she was issued an eviction notice from the chief tenant to vacate her rented room.

She was given until the end of this month to move out with all her 80 dogs. Having used up all her savings and after being retrenched three weeks ago, Kang was in a dilemma as she had nowhere to go.

Those interested in providing a venue for the choir and to join the support group can call Zakiah at 04-399-1194 or Aunbuthurai at 04-263-0882.