From JH: TEMC

(Written by Hong JH in 2005)

A lot of people are addicted to shopping and spending; and unlike drug
addiction, there are no law-enforcers to help you quit your addiction.

My theory is, you don't have to quit. You just have to try a new form
of replacement therapy, and I'd like to call it:

The Everyday Malaysian Challenge (TEMC) #1: Shop with an orphan (or
abandoned old folk)

This is how it works:

You easily spend more than RM100 on every shopping trip, and we all
know that RM100 can mean quite a lot to impoverished people, including
orphans, widows, abandoned old folks, etc. Yet it is very difficult -
I must admit on my own behalf - to curb our urges to go out there and
spend the spare money we have, and instead write out a cheque for an
orphanage. Besides, sitting down and writing out a cheque to the needy
just does not give us the same kind of "pleasure" as going out there
and spend the whole afternoon shopping and spending (and feel the
instant gratification of having the spending power).

Well then, why not do BOTH? Go out there and shop! But bring along
some orphans (if orphanages have policies against your singling out a
few kids to lavish on them, do this to kids from impoverished families
that you know of) and buy clothes and other necessities for them
instead! And for ladies who MUST visit the ladies' department to check
out the latest fashions, do not forget that there are teenage orphans
who could use a few fashionable dresses as well.

Orphans and old folks are not "icings" on the cakes of special
occasions. They need our caring touches all year long. And it is not
impossible to do that. Just try this "everyday challenge", and see
what a great difference it will make to our society.