Soroptimist International Club of Ampang (SIA) held its annual Buka Puasa for 130 underprivileged elderly women, men and orphans on 15 May at the Central Welfare Council of Malaysia’s Federal Territories branch – Majlis Pusat Kebajikan SeMalaysia, Cawangan Wilayah Persekutuan (MPKSM-WP) – in Cheras Baru.
President of SIA, Ms Sandra Wolf, said, “With funds we raised at our Bollywood Gala in November 2018, together with the contribution of sponsors such as GenPact and Sime Darby (the latter brought generous duit raya (RM50) for each of the 100 elderly), and the generous donations of private individuals and SIA members, we were able to provide catering for all (including sponsors), kain pasang and sarong (fabrics) for both the elderly women and men so they could make sarongs or bajus (traditional costumes), and for the 30 children from orphanage Rumah Anak Yatim Nur Qaseh: transport, duit raya, goodie bags and cupcakes.”
Wolf also added that, “None of this would have been possible without our collaboration with the chairman of MPKSM, Mr Maniam Muthu and his wife, Joyce Maniam, who ensured proceedings went smoothly: the set-up of the event space on the premises of MPKSM, the emcee Tuan Hj Ridzuan Abd Ghani keeping everyone informed, doa (prayers) by Hj Syed Mohamad Syed bin Syed Abdullah, the speeches by myself, our treasurer, Dr Siti Bochi, and the personal handing out of the gifts and duit raya by SIA members and Sime Darby. I am so grateful that I have such a wonderful team of volunteers at SIA who make these projects possible with their hard work and dedication, especially when it counts.”
Mr Maniam said, “MPKSM looks after about 300 senior citizens of different races and religions, from age 60 upwards, where most are in their 70s, providing them with a place to meet others and participate in activities that improve their well-being, such as physiotherapy, medical check-ups, counselling, gardening, exercising, craftmaking and fun activities that keep their spirits up.”
These senior citizens love coming to MPKSM to socialise and eat a proper meal when it is offered, as most are living off very little or have no family. One lady told SIA treasurer, Dr Siti, that she took three buses to attend the Buka Puasa!
Wolf said that SIA has supported MPKSM-WP in the past by co-sponsoring their trips to Melaka and Penang, in line with Soroptimist International’s mission statements of improving the lives of underprivileged women (by not excluding men or boys in the process as there are benefits to all) and children, in this case relating to the aged and poverty-stricken.
