The challenges of sustaining charities

PETALING JAYA: Running a charity organisation comes with its own set of challenges but many of those in the business have found ways to sustain their good deeds.

I-Kasih Johor Baru Welfare Association founder KK Wong said there is no permanent formula to contributions made towards welfare organisations.

He said while Malaysians are generally a generous lot, running a charity organisation requires winning over the hearts of people.

“During festive season, people tend to contribute more like Chinese New Year or Hari Raya, and even now during Ramadan, we have more contributions.

“People who want to help are divided into those who do it monthly and some who want to carry out good deeds and acts of kindness randomly.

“It all depends on their income.

“Some contribute more if they earn more or when they get their bonuses. It is a cyclical pattern,” he said when asked about how charities are coping during the rising cost of living.

Wong said they actively upload posts about those who are in need of necessities, which helps to garner a lot of contributions.

“This is because people are convinced what they are giving goes straight to the person in need.

“There are many who offer monthly household necessities, medical equipment and even monetary aid to assist us in carrying out our charity work,” he said.

For Persatuan Kebajikan KBG deputy chairman Datuk Seri Simon Loi, his organisation is self-funded, and would continue to operate as such.

Loi said it has been a principle set by him when they embarked on reaching out to those in need.

“We don’t collect funds but we are open to collaboration with others.

“Right now, everything we contribute is out of our own pocket and I hope to keep this momentum going.

“As long as one wants to do a good deed, it should be from their own sustenance.

“We just had a bazaar Ramadan and will be having a buka puasa with some tahfiz children next,” he said.

Association for Residential Aged Care Operators of Malaysia (Agecope) president Delren Terrence Douglas acknowledged that charity organisations were having a tougher time presently.

As such, Douglas said they had to reduce the number of those they could assist.

“Many people have cut down on their contributions to charity organisations because of the current sluggish economy.

“A lot of the welfare homes are also receiving less than what they used to get. It is difficult for charity organisations to help people without first getting help themselves,” he said.