A story of quiet resilience and generosity recently came to light after social activist Uncle Kentang, also known as Chee Heng Kuan, shared how he helped a determined young woman achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.
A cry for help in 2020
Back in 2020, a girl from Muar reached out to Uncle Kentang with a heartfelt plea.
Despite scoring 10 A’s in her exams, her dream of studying medicine appeared out of reach due to financial constraints.
Her father, a lorry driver, couldn’t afford the RM324,000 fees for a medical degree. Although she was initially offered a scholarship, it was not for the course she wished to pursue.
A pivotal meeting in Puchong
Determined to seek help, the girl travelled to Bandar Puteri, Puchong.
There, in a humble parking lot near a zinc fence, she met Uncle Kentang and shared her predicament.
Moved by her story, Uncle Kentang contacted a local Dato Seri in Puchong, who, after hearing the girl’s aspirations, agreed to sponsor her medical studies.
Uncle Kentang accompanied her to the Dato Seri’s office, and after two hours of waiting, the girl received the assurance she needed to move forward with her education.
Although the total cost was RM324,000, the Dato Seri’s foundation pledged to cover part of the fees.
Pandemic struggles and triumph
The girl, Lim Jia Jia, later enrolled in medical school and braved the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic to continue her education.
Despite being offered RM324,000 in sponsorship, she only accepted RM100,000 and secured the remaining support through her academic excellence.
She recently graduated as Dr. Lim Jia Jia and is now undergoing housemanship at Hospital Sungai Buloh.
Uncle Kentang’s pride
Uncle Kentang, who humbly refers to himself as a “lousy” person with no significant achievements in life, takes immense pride in knowing that his efforts helped shape the future of someone with so much potential.
Even though I’m not the most successful person, I take pride in helping others reach their potential,” he said.
He described her graduation as one of his proudest moments, proving that small acts of kindness can have a life-changing impact.
Dr. Lim’s journey is a powerful reminder of perseverance and the impact of timely support.
Her success is not only a testament to her resilience but also to those who believed in her when hope seemed lost.
READ ALSO:
