The tragic pandemic affecting nations worldwide has seen not only panic and fear, but more importantly, the beauty of ordinary people giving back to the community by helping those less fortunate.
PERMA, a Malaysian society that aims to cater to the underprivileged and physically challenged in Malaysia, teamed up with fundraising platform, Giveback.my (powered by the BAC Education Group) to successfully raise RM8, 000 to support 100 refugee families in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
PERMA members/volunteers and BAC staff with food supplies ready for distribution to refugee families in Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
On Saturday, 9th May 2020, PERMA members, volunteers, friends and staff of the BAC Education Group gathered BAC’s student accommodation facility, the Mansion House, located in Brickfields to receive and pack food supplies, such as rice bags, eggs, and canned beans. “There was good camaraderie shared all around in the group”, as one volunteer recalled.
Team 1 delivering food supplies to refugee families in Ampang.
Three teams travelled to the designated locations in Ampang, Cheras, Pudu and Selayang to distribute food supplies to the refugee families. Team 1 led by Ms. Sumithra, a PERMA member travelled to Ampang in vans provided by BAC along with her team of volunteers to deliver supplies to 44 families. PERMA volunteers, Mr. Kuhan and Mr. Dinesh travelled to Cheras and distributed the necessities to 40 families while Team 3 led by Ms Indra and Ms. Visahini from PERMA, drove all the way to Selayang and distributed groceries to 16 refugee families.
A refugee family and volunteers with necessities provided by generous Malaysians.
“While chatting with these families, we discovered that many of them had lost their jobs due to the MCO and struggle to provide food for their families. They also face a language barrier but are trying to learn and improve their Malay and English language skills”, said a PERMA member.
Despite the fact that many refugee families are facing a tough time making ends meet during the current crisis, they were beaming with gratitude and happiness to receive help from generous Malaysians.
Kudos to these Malaysian organisations for coming forward in times of crisis to show us the power of humanity!
“One person can make a difference and everyone should try”- John F. Kennedy
Visit giveback.my and find out how you can be a HERO to those in need.
* Images courtesy of PERMA/BAC Education Group
