Persatuan Bekas Pelajar Sekolah Pendidikan Khas Persekutuan
(Federation School for the Deaf ex-students association)
Success Stories of former FSD students
Eleanor's story life:
A Message from Teh Poh Gaik, USA
Telling my Story through Pictures: My FSD Journey in Photographs
Telling my Story through Pictures: My FSD Journey in Photographs.
To reflect back on my experience as a former student of FSD, I went through my old photo albums full of old black and white pictures that captured my time at school. When I looked at the pictures, it brought me back to my childhood days – it was like taking a time machine back 65 years ago and suddenly I could easily remember the scenes at the school along with the faces of the school staff, teachers, classmates, and my friends. To tell my story, I would like to share a series of these photographs that capture some of my most vivid and cherished memories at the school.
This first picture shows the beginning of my story at FSD, when I arrived at the school in 1957. This is a picture of the first class I joined when I entered the school. Can you spot me? I am in the second row, third from the left. I remember being scared when I first arrived, and my mind was filled with many questions – what would happen to me in this new place where my parents had brought me? One of my clearest memories is coming to the school with long hair, but then the school requiring me to cut my hair short. I was sad to get my hair cut, but this led to my name sign! When I met my classmates for the first time, they noticed I was the only girl in the class who had long hair originally. So they came up with a name sign for me – the sign was putting your hand at top of your head and then sliding it to your shoulders, to show the shape of my long hair. From then on, I was identified as Peck Voon – the “long hair girl”!
This second picture shows one of my favorite teachers at school – Lee Kooi Jong (that was her name before she married). I remember clearly that she taught me speech techniques. She taught me how to lip read and how to use my voice to speak. I was thrilled to learn these basics, and when I came home to see my family I could communicate with my parents with my voice. My parents were so happy to hear me speak. Thanks to my teacher, I was able to talk to my family – a wonderful memory!
This third picture shows the old school building, I have never forgotten it! I have so many good memories of all the time I spent in this old building where I studied with my classmates, I learned to cook and knit in classes, and where I played with my friends including rounder and volleyball. I especially remember that there were many banana trees behind the building. On one memorable occasion, I remember Tan Cheng Pheng and some other boys who said they saw the white outline of a ghost and chased it to the trees, but then they said the ghost disappeared into a banana tree! They were terribly frightened and had goosebumps! I recall that my classmates and I were also frightened when we heard the story!
Sadly, the school moved to a new building in 1970. I was sad that we left this old building since it was the backdrop for many cherished memories of my childhood. This fourth picture shows me in a school performance – one of my proudest moments as a child! I remember that I performed with four other classmates to sing the song “Negara-Ku”. We all were wearing different clothes to represent different aspects of Malaysian culture. The first person on the left was Tan Cheng Peng, who wore traditional Indian clothes. The second and third people from the left were Lee Khee Lan and Loo Yoon Cheng, who wore Malay clothes. The fourth person from the left was Bok Kam Wah, who wore English clothes. The fifth person from the left is me, wearing Chinese clothes. I remember feeling inspired and proud of myself, that I could sing a song!
This fifth picture shows when I took part in a drama play at school – I had the role of sweeping an evil spirit away from a girl. After the girl yelled for help to get away from the evil spirit, I played a character who saved her by sweeping away the evil spirit with a broom. I remember how much fun it was to act and how delighted I was to have our classmates watching and laughing at the show! It was a great memory of the range of activities we participated in at school.
This sixth photo was taken when I was in high school. The teacher in the picture is Othman bin Hashim, he had been teaching at the school for a long time. I remember he believed strongly in our potential and encouraged us to work hard and study for the LCE test. After taking the LCE test, I passed thanks to his encouragement! I was so happy to do well on the test and am grateful to have had a teacher who was so supportive.
This seventh picture shows me and my classmates in our high school art class. After completing high school, I left in 1972. This picture is special to me because two other classmates in this picture (Tan Cheng Pheng and Marshitah Musa), both on my left, and I all were able to come to United States – although we all arrived at different times! They are some of my closest friends and we remain in touch to this day. We often reminisce about our school days.
These are just some snapshots that tell part of my story at FSD – I could go on and on with more stories! When I closed my photo album, I reflected on all of the wonderful times I had at FSD and how much I valued these precious and treasured memories. I am glad to have these pictures that remind me of my past and to have shared some of these moments with you.
Tan Cheng Pheng, reside in Big Spring, Texas, USA
First of all, history of my successful from elementary school from Penang, Malaysia to higher education in Washington D.C., USA. From aged 3 to 18, I studied from standard 1 to Form V at Federation School for the Deaf in three different locations – 47 Northam Road (1954-1966), Po Leung Kuk home (1966-1970), and 600H Vale of Tempe (1970-present). In 1973, I graduated after took the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), or the Malaysian Certificate of Education.
Dato Saleena Yahaya, informed me that INTEL needed hiring any production operator from FSD. I accepted as the first deaf position starting in 1973. From there, I enjoyed working and socializing with new hearing people for the first time. [On May 1, 1975, fire destroyed Intel’s production facility in Penang, Malaysia. Damage estimated at $2.5 million totaled more than the company’s initial investment in the factory, Intel’s first non-U.S. production facility. Workers quickly regrouped and kept production rolling while the plant was rebuilt. (Credit: Intel Corporation)] – I found in google. I continued working at one of the company’s temporary locations so they could work around the clock. For 2 years (1975), I resigned due to different shifting hours (Morning, Afternoon, and Graveyard shifts).
I moved to KL to be with family. Found a job as Aluminum worker as my father found for me. I continued working and thought a lot about going abroad several months. I applied for SATHI exam from Gallaudet College twice (one at DALAT place) and one at AIA, KL) by assisting from teacher, Othman Hashim, FSD faculty during 1975 and 1976. I received a letter from Gallaudet College (later revised Gallaudet University in 1986) and I was suggested to enroll in the fall 1977 instead of 1976. I sought a financial help from my relatives, family and none from FSD scholarship. I flew across the globe to land in Washington D.C. in the fall 1977. I enrolled Preparatory Student at first year. During the first summer, I worked as Janitor on campus for US$3.15 per hour as I thought I got richer at that time. I kept studying very well so I would able to receive more scholarships from my Aunt who promised to continue sending only when I earned grade A in all subjects but I had some grade B/C. I also worked part time 20 hours and studied between 15 and 17 hours until 1982. I graduated with Bachelor of Degree – Mathematics in May,1982. After graduated, I worked temporary visa that permitted for a year so I taught Gallaudet students at temporary full-time position.
While I taught at Gallaudet University, I took and graduated Master of Degree – Educational Technology from 1983 – 1985. I continued for more graduate school at Catholic University – Computational Mathematics, until I saw a job position at Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (later revised Southwest College for the Deaf, or SWCD – Sept 2019), Big Spring, Texas at Math Dept office at Gallaudet University. I flew there for an interview and accepted a full-time Mathematics instructor. But I had to leave Catholic University with only 21 credit hours (30 credit hours to graduate). I rather took full-time than temporary full-time at Gallaudet.
Moved to new Chapter of Texas life, I taught many years and received award for 30 years services from Howard College at the Professional Developmental meets in 2019. I am Associate Professor of Mathematics from fall 1989 to present and I am qualified for senior citizen. I may continue teaching until 75, hmmm? Just a laugh though and depend on how I feel stay in good health.
I have excellent family life with three beautiful children. Tantika is my wife from Thailand. Tantika works as Tutor Assistant at SWCD. Britney Tan Gek-Lyn, our first daughter, who is now at Pomona College as sophomore, Sean Tan Soo-Ern, our second son, currently sophomore at Big Spring High School and Marco Tan Soo-Wen, our third son, currently freshman at Big Spring High School.
Wish we would like to join and celebrate the 65th FSD Anniversary this coming real soon Sept 21, 2019.
– Tan Cheng Peng
How far I came always means remembering where I started
It is Lee-Kerns Khee Lan (Sally). I am glad to tell you about my life, how I was able to succeed being Deaf in a hearing world. Federation School for the Deaf (FSD) is a great place that encouraged all deaf students including me to be independent, loyal, accept challenges, and prepared me well for the future.
At the mere age of four in 1956, I was sent to FSD at 47 Northam Road, Penang (Pulau Pinang) after the doctor discovered I was deaf at one year old. I am indebted to Dato Saleena Yahaya Isa, who taught me how to lip read and use hearing aids when I was a little girl. I am not 100% hearing but lip reading has really helped me communicate when people did not sign. I am thankful to Mr. Tan Yap (The Patron to the Community of Deaf and Father for the Deaf) who referred me to apply at IBM World Trade Corporation in Petaling Jaya to become a Key Punch Operator in January 1975. I worked at Behn Meyer & Co. (M) SDN .BHD. Kuala Lumpur as a key punch operator in the Accounting Division in June 1976. Behan Meyer’s hearing employees were so easy to communicate with and would write back and forth with me for many years before I left for Ohlone College at Fremont, US in March 1981.
At the age of 29, it really is never too late to go to college. It was so exciting to learn that there were other colleges that supported the education of deaf and hearing students. I studied hard to learn English, Math and Computer programming white studying in Ohlone college. While being there, I worked in the Library as a Library Assistant for a part time job to support my tuition fee and living expenses. I applied for the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) entrance exam to get into Gallaudet University. I was so thrilled when I passed and was accepted in 1982.
In the fall of September 1982, I enrolled into Gallaudet University in Washington, DC in US and lived on the campus there. I completed a Bachelor’s degree of Science in Business Administration major in May 1992. It took me 10 years to finally complete the degree because I struggled financially, worked while in college, married, and started a family all at the same time. I worked various part time jobs on campus while I was full time student. While all of that, I worked for a variety of positions; NASA/GSFC in Greenbelt, Maryland, and The Headquarters Post Office in Washington, DC as Data Entry Clerk. After I graduated, I worked at Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) in Maryland as a Payroll Clerk in March 1992 for 3 years. In March 1995, I was ecstatic when I was hired to work as a Staff Assistant with Former United States Senator John Ashcroft, MO, who called me the “Secret Weapon” on Capitol Hill, Washington, DC for six years. I taught ten employees American Sign Language and really enjoyed the relationships I had there. After he was outvoted, I worked for a variety of former US Senators; Tim Hutchinson, AR., Conrad Burns, MN., and Jim Talent, MO. for ten years. After that, I decided to work closer to home. I worked as a substitute teacher for high schools in Montgomery County Public Schools of Maryland for three years teaching American Sign Language. Now, I am retired and work on the rebuilding properties with my husband, Timothy in Maryland, USA.
I strongly encourage all deaf parents (doesn’t matter where you are) to support your hearing children to join Kids of Deaf Adults (KODA 1- 17 years age) and Children of Deaf Adults (CODA 18 – up years age). These group’s resources can be found easily online by searching the terms. There are also groups on Facebook that your children can reach out to and provide suggestions on how to become involved or becoming a interpreter. It is a great opportunity for your hearing children who can sign to communicate seamlessly with their deaf parents to form healthy and happy relationships.
In the meantime, I married a hearing man, Timothy Kerns in October 1986 and had my hearing daughter, Julia. Julia is a (CODA) Children of Deaf Adults. The picture is of our family.
I would like to call Saleena to be our Mother in FSD since she had encouraged all students to be good education in careers and jobs for lifetime as she is our remember of cherish forever and we all love her very much. – Lee-Kerns Khee Lan (Sally)
A message from Marshitah Garbacz, USA
CONGRATULATIONS Federation School for the Deaf 65th Reunion in Penang, Malaysia. My name is Marshitah Garbacz and I thank my late father, Raja Musa, for bringing me to this school. He joined the Boards of Governor of FSD and was a strong supporter. He helped our school without government education. I enrolled at FSD from 1959 to 1972. When FSD provided our schooling, we could learn everything called “BOLEH” FSD is very AMAZING! I currently live in Austin, Texas. I was married to my late husband, Richard Garbacz, who worked as Peace Corp of US. I have a son, Razil Garbacz.
I took classes for certifications in engineering at Austin Community College, Austin when my company required me to studying civil engineering for my job. I worked as a interior designer drafter in Malaysia for 8 years. Then I worked as civil engineering and land surveying senior tech for 27 years and I am currently work ing as inspection and supervisor of the cottages for 7 years. I love to work with my co-workers.
– Marshitah Garbacz
Aqlam bin Jafri was born Deaf in Pontian, Johor but raised in Petaling Jaya, Selangor this is because my parents have migrated to Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. I studied in Form 5 and took the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) for the second time at the Penang Federal Special Education Secondary School in 1988. I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree at Gallaudet University, Washington, DC, USA in 1999. I served the government for more than 11 years as a Community Development Officer. I am currently on loan at the Malaysian Social Institute (ISM) as a Training Consultant to coordinate programs and courses provided to all Social Welfare Officers throughout Malaysia. My experience while studying at Gallaudet University was to learn knowledge and experience related to the culture, needs, leadership and communication of the Deaf which is not available in Malaysia. After I graduated, I promised to help the Deaf community in Malaysia.
KEEPING KNOWLEDGE WILL CHANGE YOURSELF WITHOUT HEARING”
– Aqlam bin Jafri
Tan Heng Bee (FSD’96) was born in Penang, Malaysia. She received a Diploma of Multimedia and Graphic Design from LICT – Limkokwing Institute of Creative Technology which is known as LUCT – Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, Selangor and the B.A degree in Digital Art within Design For Interactive Media from Thames Valley University which has been changed to West of London University, England.
She works as Customer Experience Team for ZVRS and Purple company. She currently resides in Florida with her deaf husband, Steve and two kids.
“Pursue your dreams to make it happen.”
– Tan Heng Bee
CHONG WEI TING:
Chong Wei Ting suffers from a hearing problem at the age of 12 due to high fever. His left and right ear can only listen to about 40% and 70% respectively and requires a hearing aid. Doctors told Wei Ting that his hearing will weaken as his ages. This was quite a setback for Wei Ting and his family to have heard this. However, Wei Ting do not bow to fate and his mother, Mrs Lim Chai Lan is his greatest inspiration.
As ENT specialist (Ears, nose & throat) doctor advices and supportive from Wei Ting family, he finally entered Federal School for the Deaf (FSD) at Tanjung Bunga in Penang to continue his secondary school education. Because of this, the major turning point in Wei Ting life was started and changed himself to be a better person. Wei Ting have to face it in a special kind of the way. At first, he was reluctant of wearing the hearing aid due to being ridiculed, but after a year Wei Ting was able to cope with it with the help of his family and teachers. Beside that, he was also inspired by Beethoven’s music and learn the music and piano to change his emotion and attitude. Wei Ting currently has grade 8 piano with the result of distinction certified by ABRSM (Association Board of the Royal Schools of Music).
After years of hard-work, Wei Ting was given the opportunity to further his Bachelor in Microelectronic engineering at University of Malaysia Perlis and graduated as first class honours in engineering with CGPA of 3.80. During his university life, he chose to sit in the front row. If he can’t understand the lecture, he will directly consult the lecturers after class. Beside that, he also always spent time to do research and improve his learning skill in the library. After graduated as a degree holder, Wei Ting got his very first job in Penang Intel as a Failure Analysis Engineer (FA) and was given the task to support Intel microprocessor product quality issue and technically figure out product failure root cause.
Last but not least, his disability as a hard of hearing person is not a barrier to move on. The support from people around Wei Ting, makes him feel like he can do whatever he want to do, he is not disabled but differently able.
Just Bake bakery has run by deaf couple and it has opened for 10 years since 2009 in Setia Alam, Shah Alam. The aspiration for Just Bake is to provide a lip-smacking, aromatic, freshly baked and healthy breads for the consumers. It currently has a total number of 12 employees and all products are being produced manually. Besides, Just Bake supply various types of products such as slice cake, birthday cake, custom designed cake, bread, toast, healthy bread and pastry.
– Jimmy Cham
Jimmy Chua Tick Seng
Jimmy Chua Tick Seng was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He at tendedq Culinary Arts Centre in Penang, earning a diploma of professional training chef in 2003. In 2007, he competed in Culinaire Malaysia and won a gold medal in the Apprentice Hot Cooking category and a bronze medal in the Apprentice Menu of the day Display Palette. He was also awarded a special award for the Most Outstanding Apprentice 2007. At 36 years old, Jimmy has 19 years of experience working at some of the most acclaimed restaurants. He has worked his way through the kitchen of The Westin Hotel Kuala Lumpur, Senses Restaurant, I Dolic Enterprise, Shangri La Hotel Singapore, Restaurant Par Andre Singapore, Gattopardo Ristorante Di Mare, Singapore, Neon Pigeon. He also staged at various restaurants around Singapore including Artichoke Cafe & Bar, Ding Dong Restaurant, Pollen Restaurant, Maggie Joan’s and Neon Pigeon.
Currently Jimmy is the Head Chef/ owner of The Three by LFJ, Malaysia.
Louis GAN
Louis GAN is born deaf and is the 3rd brother among the 4 siblings. He has the interest in art since young where he would sketch and draw cartoon characters after watching them. Initially, his parents approached a few art teachers to take him as student for art classes along with his younger brother. However, due to communication difficulties, he couldn’t join the art classes. He once won the Japanese-Malaysia Junior Art Competition at the age of 16 and got more interested in art where he has made his decision to develop art as his future career. One of his first few street murals has now become favorite tourism spots in Penang, the ‘Brother and Sister on a Swing’. Another great achievements Louis has achieved was the The Malaysia Book of Records for completing The Most Number Of Wall Murals In A Building in 2018.
Jimmy Wong Tee Ming
I started swimming when I was 4, I was an ex-diver and had represented national team and qualified for the Southern Asian Games in 95 and 97, FINA international diving, finished top 10 and Commonwealth Games in 98 and finished 8th in a strong field. I then changed to swimming and won a silver in 200m backstroke and a bronze in 400m IM in Malaysia Games in year 2000 which was my best events. In 2001 Malaysia Open Swimming Championship I had collected 6 golds, 2 silvers and a bronze and I was qualified to Deaflympic Games in Melbourne and won a Bronze in 400IM. I started to became a swimming coach in 2009, and had experience coaching children, teenager, adults and special disability person for more than 10 years. I have students from beginner level, basic level, intermediate and advanced level.
Muhammad Hawari Hashim
Muhammad Hawari, who hails from Kepala Batas, Penang, said he had made preparations, including fitness level, to carry out his dream to complete the climbing mission. He said, for four months, he participated in several climbing activities in preparation such as participating in the Cameron Ultra Marathon in Cameron Highlands, Pahang besides climbing Mount Pulut and Bukit Larut, Perak and Mount Rinjani, Indonesia. Apart from that, he said, the cold weather factor became an obstacle when climbing there later and hoped, to be able to face the challenge well.
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