Polio victim recognised for his selfless community service

DESPITE the many challenges Khoo Teik Ee faces as a result of paralysis due to polio when he was just six months old, he has never wavered from fulfilling his responsibility towards the destitute elderly folk in Penang.

Khoo, 70, chairman of Grace Harmony Home, has been honoured for his dedication to the old folk’s home and also for his service as treasurer to Penang Christian Cemeteries Association (PCCA).

(From left) PCCA vice-president Samuel Soon, Lee and Lim presenting Khoo with the plaque.

PCCA recently held a simple but meaningful ceremony to thank Khoo who relinquished his post early this year due to health reasons.

Association chairman Charles Lee presented Khoo with a plaque and cheque in appreciation of his service at the ceremony.

At the same ceremony, PCCA presented Grace Harmony Home with a RM3,000 cheque in honour of Khoo and also as part of the association’s social community programme.

The home was founded in 2011 to provide free shelter, food and medical care for the elderly.

It currently has 20 residents who have no children or family to take care of them.

The home, which relies solely on public funding, needs RM15,000 monthly to cover its expenses.

PCCA is a non-profit organisation that was established in 1975 with the intention of providing burial grounds and funeral facilities for the Christian community in Penang.

The association manages more than 6,500 niches at the Western Road Christian Cemetery on the island.

It also manages close to 1.61ha (four acres) of burial land at the Praise Memorial Park in Jawi on the mainland.

It is also the only association in the state dedicated to overseeing and managing Christian burial land and inurnment.

Sungai Pinang assemblyman Lim Siew Khim, who was present with PCCA committee members at the ceremony, commended Khoo for his dedication and passion.

“It is an honour to witness this occasion. Despite his mobility challenges, Khoo never complains but instead soldiers on with his service to the elderly and the community,” she said.

Those who wish to contribute to Grace Harmony Home may email the home at [e-mail] or call 019-4560749.

PCCA is a non-profit organisation and can be contacted via their social media account at facebook.com/pccapenang.