IN A small room in Kota Kinabalu, a century of Scouting history is carefully preserved, with stories waiting to be told.
Among the piles of Scouting relics stands 64-year-old Chan Foo Keung, who, with quiet passion, has spent a lifetime gathering collectibles that tell the tale of the Scouting movement.
A devoted Scout since the age of 9, Chan has amassed a collection that could perhaps be the envy of historians or collectors.
Some of his relics date back to 1907, the very birth of Scouting.
"Scouting isn’t just a hobby; it’s a way of life," Chan reflects on the lifelong journey that began as a Cub Scout at Shan Tao Primary School in Sandakan in the late 1960s.
Chan’s home, particularly the top floor of his two-and-a-half-story house, is a testament to his dedication.
It’s filled with tens of thousands of Scouting artifacts – stamps, books, patches, and more – that he has meticulously collected over the years, scouring local markets, online auctions, and international exchanges with other collectors.
But Chan’s passion for Scouting goes beyond mere collection.
It’s also a family affair. His wife, Smily Lee Mee Shion, a former Rover Scout, and their two sons, Chan Zen and Chan Quan, have all been deeply involved in Scouting.
The family’s shared dedication has driven them to acquire and preserve a formidable array of Scouting memorabilia.
One of the crown jewels of Chan’s collection is a rare copy of “Sketches in Mafeking & East Africa” by Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, published in 1907.
Nearby, a series of old photographs from the first experimental camp on Brownsea Island in 1907 that captures the birth of the scout movement before it became a global movement.
“Every patch tells a story,” Chan said, gently holding a patch from the 15th World Jamboree, which was cancelled in 1979 due to the Iranian Revolution.
“Whether they are earned through hard work or collected as souvenirs, they are pieces of history.”
His collection is more than just a personal treasure trove; it’s a resource for the community.
Recently, Chan participated in an exhibition in Singapore, where his World Scout Jamboree patches drew admiration and sparked conversations with Scouts and collectors alike.
“It’s moments like these that affirm the value of his lifelong dedication,” he said.
As Chan continues to build his collection and share his knowledge, he hopes to keep the spirit of Scouting alive not just for himself, but for countless others who see in Scouting the same values of resilience, leadership, and service that have guided his life.
Looking forward, Chan is channelling his passion into a new project: the Malaysia Scout Collector's Club.
This community aims to preserve and share the rich history of Scouting in Malaysia, ensuring that future generations understand and appreciate the movement’s legacy.
“It’s about complimenting each other and ensuring that these memories and experiences are passed down for the future,” he said. – August 9, 2024
