Carollers shaking hands with the residents after performing at the squatter area near Taman Kebun Teh. — Photos: THOMAS YONG/ The Star
FROM warm meals to well-loved Christmas carols, volunteers from all walks of life are finding simple ways to spread cheer and make the season a little brighter for the less fortunate.
Throughout December, StarMetro followed several churches and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as they poured their heart and soul into making a difference this festive season.
For some 300 volunteers from Calvary Community Church in Johor Baru, the effort began as early as the first week of the month, when they fanned out across more than a dozen locations in the city as part of the church’s annual charity initiative.
Known as “Sekilo Kasih”, the outreach programme delivers bags of basic necessities to those in need and has been a cornerstone of the church’s Christmas efforts for nearly a decade.
Project leader Nigel Elijah Joshua, 20, said this year the church joined hands with its charity arm, Calvary Welfare Centre, reaching out to more than 700 people.
Issachar says residents from the halfway home for former convicts and recovering alcohol and drug addicts are among the volunteers involved.
“Apart from reaching out to underprivileged families, this year we also visited old folks homes and orphanages, hoping to bring them a bit of joy along with the aid distributed.
“Throughout the week-long project, volunteers spent time with residents of the charity homes and flats they visited.
“Some residents also enjoyed carolling by the volunteers. It was very heartwarming to see the smile on their faces,” he said.
Joshua, who has been volunteering with the church since he was 13, said volunteers visited over 20 charities and old folks homes as part of this year’s initiative.
“Over the years, I have learned so much through these experiences. Hope our efforts can bring some relief to those in need.
“I believe Christmas is a season for giving,” he said, adding that those they reached out to came from various races and religions.
Joshua says this year they also visited old folks homes and orphanages.
Fellow project leader JV Zachariah Yowel, 22, said volunteers packed items based on the needs of the groups they reached out to.
“Instead of filling the bags with groceries, this year we decided to do something different and distributed items according to the groups we served.
“Children received bags containing stationery for school, while senior citizens were given practical items such as anti-slip socks, towels and water bottles.
“This was in addition to 10 packs of rice given to each charity home we visited, and one pack of rice for each family living in flats,” he said.
Yowel said the volunteers included children as young as 11 and those in their 60s.
“Although this is my first time volunteering, it feels like I have been doing this for a long time because everyone here feels like family,” he said.
For homemaker Daisy Thomas, 46, who volunteered with her 15- and 14-year-old sons, helping out with “Sekilo Kasih” is a must.
“I have been involved in the project since it first started years ago, and each year I see the different struggles people go through.
“I make sure my two children join me every year because I want to instil kindness in them.
“I believe it is important to nurture a caring community,” she said, hoping to see more of such charities organised.
A group of about 40 volunteers also visited three hotels to perform Christmas carols to keep the festive spirit alive.
(From right) Daisy with her sons Gabriel and Luke have been involved in the ‘Sekilo Kasih’ project since it first started years ago.
Also spreading kindness this festive season is the Johor Baru Shechinah Association, which collaborated with Good Hope Church and Hosanna Anglican Church for charity initiatives.
Its president James Issachar said residents from the halfway home run by the NGO for former convicts and recovering alcohol and drug addicts were among the volunteers involved.
“Around the second week of the month, we worked with Good Hope Church to spread cheer among the homeless and poor along Jalan Ungku Puan.
“This was the first time we carried out such an outreach programme. We were encouraged to see people staying on despite the heavy rain,” he said.
Issachar added that volunteers also performed Christmas carols, dances and motivational speeches and distributed about 500 packs of warm meals, along with basic necessities such as clothes, towels and mats.
Caroller Hannah is happy to bring joy to those around her.
Among the volunteers was M. Kishore, 24, who said he was happy to see people enjoying themselves and hoped to bring more smiles.
“This is my first time volunteering, and it has been a very meaningful experience.
“I hope to do more charity work and play my part in making the world a better place for everyone,” he said, adding that it was his best Christmas so far.
The NGO also organised several carolling sessions to cheer up those in need around Johor Baru and Kulai.
One such session was held at Taman Kebun Teh where carollers performed three Christmas songs in Tamil for several families living in a squatter area.
“It may not be much, but I hope the songs could at least cheer them up a bit this festive season and remind them that there are many who care.
Volunteers from the Calvary Community Church distributing packs of rice to residents at a flat in Johor Baru.
“Doing so also makes me happy, as I know that I have done what I can to bring joy and happiness to those around me,” said 18-year-old M. Hannah, one of the carollers.
Skudai Sidang Injil Borneo (SIB) church has been busy since November bringing cheer to Sabah and Sarawak communities in Johor.
Pastor Yohanes Tijun said their carollers had visited the homes of at least 10 church members so far, most of whom are from Sabah and Sarawak.
“We decided to start early, as many of our members are from Sabah or Sarawak and may be away during Christmas.
“Some may not be able to return to their hometowns due to costly air fares.
“We hope the carollers can bring them some cheer and a sense of home this Christmas,” he said, adding that the church held its final performance about a week before Christmas.
He added that the church also invited some 35 Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) students from Sabah and Sarawak for a special Christmas session on Dec 20.
“Just like those who are working here, some of the students are also unable to return home this Christmas, and the simple celebration was our way of cheering them up,” he said.
