IN a time when everyone seems busy or hard pressed, a group of friends gathered to spread generosity to the underprivileged at the Lighthouse in Penang today.
Calling themselves Friends of Goodwill (FOG), they extended their kindness to about 100 trishaw riders in the heritage area of Penang by giving them daily essentials and food vouchers for four hot packed meals which they can redeem with a coupon provided at designated dates and times.
According to FOG organising chairperson Janice Kua, FOG has ordered hot packed meals from City Bayview Hotel, Cititel, Penang Community Centre and Lighthouse.
Kua said the initiative was made possible in collaboration with the Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA).
Apart from contributing in manpower by ensuring social distancing was practised on site today, she said MACVA assisted in collecting donations in the form of cash and goods, making the distribution of goodwill today a successful one.
“The trishawmen are one of the worst hit groups due to the interstate travel ban and closed international borders, resulting in virtually no tourists visiting the state. That would mean near to zero income for them.
“Although we have limited resources to begin with, it is only timely that FOG gathers assistance to help out this group.
“FOG was formed in 2019 by a group of friends who love and find satisfaction in doing charity work together. We’re a team of self-motivated and self-propelled sociopreneurs who are committed to assisting and empowering any charitable organisations and/or the vulnerable community.
“The key aim of FOG is to be able to lessen, wherever and whenever possible, the sufferings of the needy Malaysians, and to be able to aid the underprivileged Malaysians with the basics at the very least,” Kua told reporters.
The goodwill package consists of soap (x6), toothbrush and toothpaste (x2 sets), towel (x2), sanitiser (x1 litre), surgical face masks (x1 box of 50), water bottle (x1), slippers (x1), raincoat (x1), plastic cup (x1), face towel (x1), biscuit (x1), bottled water (x1 of 1.5 litre) and angpow money of RM80.
Recently, the Penang government had also helped the trishaw peddlers and other vulnerable groups by giving them financial aid from the Penang People’s Aid Package.
Thus far, a total of RM175.5 million has been allocated by the state government to help ease the financial burden of the vulnerable communities.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Friends of Goodwill