Mohamad Tahir handing out donated toys to children at a Ramadan bazaar.
INSTEAD of distributing food and dates, a group of friends is distributing new and used toys to children at a Ramadan bazaar in Bandar Perda, Penang.
Calling themselves “Super Friends”, the group collected toys before the fasting month started and began distributing them when Ramadan started on March 23.
The group’s leader Mohamad Tahir Mat Zain, 49, said the idea of giving out toys to children during Ramadan popped up when he and his friends realised that unlike the children in the old days, children now preferred playing with computer gadgets instead of toys.
“We feel that children should be encouraged at a very young age to play with their peers and not be glued to gadgets like smartphones,” he said.
A parent at the Ramadan bazaar in Kubang Semang accepting toys from a volunteer.
The group comprises extreme sports enthusiasts and volunteers who commit themselves to charity work from time to time.
Mohamad Tahir, a civil servant, said the response received was good and the parents they met were grateful for the donations.
He said the group went to random Ramadan bazaars and approached people with children who were buying food for buka puasa.
Mohamad Tahir said that over 500 toys had already been distributed to children at Ramadan bazaars in the areas surrounding Bukit Mertajam.
He said the distribution would continue until the end of Ramadan, as long as the group still received donations of toys.
Those wishing to donate can call him at 011-1023 7282.
He added that the group accepted used toys in good condition. – By IMRAN HILMY
