Artist comes to aid of NGOs

Fadilah (left) and Dr Heselynn are thankful for this fundraising effort during such trying times.

TWO non-profit organisations are seeking the public’s assistance to keep their operations afloat and continue their community work.

They are the Society for the Severely Mentally Handicapped Selangor and Federal Territory (SSMH) and Malaysia SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus) Association (PSLEM).

SSMH needs about RM35,000 a month to run operations.

Unfortunately, the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in a halt to large-scale fundraising efforts that involved holding events in malls, said its president Fadilah Mohd Yakin.

Funding, according to her, comes from both corporate and individuals donors, in addition to a good amount that was supposed to come from fundraising events scheduled to take place this year.

Currently, the society deals with 20 children who come in daily and are given various stimulation activities to do by trained physiotherapists and teachers.

“We started in 1984 when parents had nowhere to send their severely mentally disabled children.

“Over the years, we have grown and now have our own premises, ” said Fadilah.

To help raise funds virtually this year for both organisations, a book titled

Birds of Malaysia: An Artist’s Love by former Malaysian Investment Development Authority deputy director-general Yeow Teck Chai is currently on sale.

The 240-page book contains watercolour paintings of Malaysian birds, including some of the rarest species such as the Hornbill, Pitta and Bee-Eater.

The book is priced at RM200 a copy, and 80% of sales proceeds will be channelled to the two charities.

“We have 2,500 books to sell and we are looking to raise about RM200,000 for each NGO.

“This should help us cover half of what is required for next year, ” said Fadilah.

Malaysia SLE Association president Dr Heselynn Hussein said she was glad such a fundraising activity was carried out as its annual “Walk A Payung” event had to be cancelled this year.

“It has indeed been a challenge to raise funds as we cannot have any events with large crowds, ” she added.

PSLEM, which was formed in 1994, helps people who suffer from lupus – a systemic auto-immune disease.

The association has more than 3,000 members to date.

Birds of Malaysia: An Artist’s Love can be purchased through SSMH and PSLEM by contacting 012-3418038 (Alan), 011-10617672 (Chee) or online at https://bit.ly/3ntytpS.

Donations are welcome.