Amidst the pain of losing a loved one, one Malaysian father found solace in nature and created a beautiful hidden orchard in the heart of KL.
Uncle Yen, as he is affectionately called, turned a neglected site into the Urban Orchard KL, a sanctuary filled with a variety of local fruits, animals, and plants.
The loss of his son seven years ago left Uncle Yen devastated, and he felt unable to continue working in the recruitment industry. He found comfort in a personal project near his home, where he spent his days tending to the orchard and cleaning up the area, turning it into a beautiful haven.
Through his hard work, the river near the orchard is now cleaner, and animals such as Tilapia fish, tortoises, and monitor lizards have started to call it home. Uncle Yen's orchard is now filled with mature fruit trees, including Monthong Durian, Harum Manis mangoes, Honey Jackfruit, Ping Pong Longans, and more.
What started as a personal project has now become a community effort, with Uncle Yen forming a club of 150 members who help fund and maintain the orchard. Their contributions have allowed Uncle Yen to install protective gates and take care of injured strays in the area.
But Uncle Yen's dreams for the orchard don't stop there. He hopes to open a cute ice cream parlour to welcome visitors and educate younger generations about the importance of appreciating and preserving nature.
Uncle Yen's dedication to the orchard and the environment is inspiring, and his love for nature is infectious. He wants nothing more than to share his creation with the younger generation and instill in them a sense of gratitude towards Mother Nature.
In a world where grief and loss can consume us, Uncle Yen's story is a reminder that even amidst the darkest of times, there is still beauty and hope to be found.
