Sometimes, all it takes to make a difference in someone’s life is an act of kindness.
After discovering the harrowing tale of an underprivileged refugee family struggling to make ends meet in Ipoh, QIU’s Rotaract Club was moved to take action.
To offer a helping hand, the club launched a donation drive, calling for food items, canned goods, books, toys and basic necessities. And after some wonderful support by our QIU family, they handed over the donations to the needy family yesterday.
The family of five, which includes three children between the ages of six to ten, live in a shop lot. The children’s parents are unable to work.
To get by, they have no choice but to rely on donations and assistance from charitable organisations.
Yesterday’s donations came from our generous staff and students across all faculties and were collected during the Rotaract Club’s recent Cans Film Festival. The handover visit was made more memorable by the presence of Rotary Club of Ipoh representative Mr Edwin Seibel Nathan.
In case you’ve forgotten about the Festival, it was an ingenious idea where the QIU family donated items in exchange for tickets to a film screening event.
Summing up the initiative, club president Kourtney Goh said everyone was happy to lend a helping hand.
“It felt really heartwarming especially when we took out the colouring books and pencils for the children, who were so excited!” she said.
“Their father said that it’s comforting to know that he’s not alone and there are so many Malaysian brothers and sisters who are here to support him and his family.”
While the donations definitely made a difference, the family’s situation means that their struggle may not end here.
Goh stressed that the club’s efforts would not be a one-off.
“We plan to continue this effort and help them in whatever way we can,” she noted.
“The children are especially important to care for and we plan to provide them with a better environment to grow up in with books, educational toys and more.”
If you’re interested in finding out how you can help this family or join the Rotaract Club’s efforts, contact Ms Naz at 016-2310367
