About me.

I was trained as a HIV care nurse, in a Bangkok Hospital. I have worked as a HIV nurse specialist for over 10 years, with AIDSLink International & in between 4 years with National University Hospital.

I currently serve in AIDSLink International as an associate member to train people to be Channels of Hope. I used to do befriending of sex workers with HIV and of transgender persons at a day centre, at Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur (2008 – 2011). During that time, I would also visit and befriend the ladies working in brothels in Singapore.

Since 2017, I’ve been part of the core team befriending transgender ladies in Geylang.

The Vision for Rest@Geylang.

Anyone who comes will find rest. They can be themselves, and relate to one another like a friend. I envision a place where there is no hierarchy, all humans meet where we are and are free to give and to receive.

A place to meet Geylang friends, for friendship witness.

REST

– A place of Rest and to Recharge for life

– A place to Encourage one another and Empathise through sharing our stories and experiences

– A place of Support and to Seek Solutions together

-A place to Tell our stories and Think

How is it different from existing shelters or places of rest?

It will be open in the day 7am-12pm or 12pm-5pm, before or after the work in Geylang.

It will be open to all, not just those working in Geylang, although it may specifically begin with the Transgender first)

No WIFI provided.

Vertical rest, no horizontal rest (i.e. no bed).

Why is Rest@Geylang important?

It would serves as a stopover, a waterpoint, or an in-between stop between the various existing work in Geylang and other help ministries (e.g Tamar Village)

It will be “non-religious”. A gentle lamp that draws people in.

How God placed this upon my heart.

– I started walking Geyland since 2017, and felt dissatisfied with just chatting on the street during each 2-hour long walk. For life to be transformed, one needs a healthy environment, and the influence of true friends. We are the letters of love.

I saw this at a café in Bali where a community of people from different backgrounds would rub shoulders with one another. However, a café is not appropriate in this context in Geylang. We will end up occupied with employment & profit. I have gleaned from the models of The Last Resort & The Meeting Point.

A place of pure hospitality and a space to give and take, that’s what friends are for.

What I hope to achieve in this place.

People will find hope in their circumstances, no matter how despondent it gets

To restore dignity and build people through gifts and talents.

People (mixture of pre-believers, seekers and ‘work in progress’ Jesus followers) will find their identity; from slave to servant to friend to son.

Target: $5,000