(Standing, from left) Khoo, Chua and Ooi speaking with a recipient of Chinese New Year goodies in Batu Arang. The initiative supported by a variety of parties features families going shopping and needy individuals receiving essentials. — CHAN TAK KONG/The Star
A CHINESE New Year initiative brought support to 120 families from vulnerable groups and 15 HIV-affected people in Batu Arang, Selangor, ahead of the festive season.
The “Jom Shopping” programme, organised by Selayang Municipal Council Zone 15 councillor Alice Khoo and Zone 15 Residents Committee (JKP), was held at Mydin store in Pusat Bandar Rawang.
Each family received Chinese New Year goods worth RM150 and a box of mandarin oranges.
Rawang assemblyman Chua Wei Kiat said the programme would help families cope with rising festive season costs.
“Families face higher expenses during this period and the programme aims to reduce that burden,” he said.
Despite rising prices of mandarin oranges, he added, the organisers managed to provide enough for all recipients.
The initiative was sponsored by WWRC Foundation and represented by WWRC Urethanes director Ooi Swee Thean.
WWRC Foundation, established in 2018, had contributed over RM8mil to community welfare since 2013, said Ooi.
Khoo and her team also visited Oasis Life Aid in Batu Arang, a home for 15 HIV/AIDS patients abandoned by their families, to deliver goods.
Founder Alex Arokiam said the home, which sheltered patients referred by hospitals, relied on donations.
“Once they have been discharged and if they have nowhere to go, the hospitals refer them to us.”
The home received much-needed supplies including rice, oil and towels, in addition to mandarin oranges.
“We recently almost ran out of rice, so these supplies offer us relief,” said Alex.
The contributions help supplement the home’s efforts to raise funds through aquaculture and farming activities, which provide for the residents’ daily needs.
Khoo said the residents’ simple request for towels led her and her team to ensure they received high-quality ones.
“These individuals deserve comfort and dignity.
“Towels may seem like an insignificant request, but for the home’s residents, having them makes a big difference,” she said.
She urged the public to show compassion and support instead of being judgemental.
“These are people who are sick and helping them is the least we can do,” she said.
