‘MR CHARITY’
64-year-old retiree finds fulfillment in reaching out to the underprivileged
VINCENT D’SILVA JOHOR BARU news@nst.com.my
MANY cultivate new hobbies, or spend time with their loved ones once they retire. Not James Ho. After four decades of working in the corporate sector, the 64year-old is driven by his passion to do charitable work.
He does spend time with his grandchildren. However, the social activist, known as “Mr Charity”, has his work cut out for him in helping people in need.
Ho finds fulfillment in reaching out to the underprivileged.
“Nothing is as fulfilling as bringing joy and assistance to the underprivileged and needy.”
In conjunction with Merdeka recently, Ho treated 60 underprivileged children from Pertubuhan Kebajikan Sosial dan Kebajikan Sari Saujana Home and Persatuan Kebajikan Penjagaan Radamani Home to lunch at a fast-food outlet here.
His purpose was to bring cheer to the children and to enable them to have a meal outside of their homes.
“We wanted them to join the nation as we celebrated our independence.
“We also wanted to inculcate in them the spirit of patriotism.”
Over the years, Ho, who founded Yayasan Kebajikan Suria Kawasan Permas, had been assisting charitable organisations, orphanages and non-governmental organisations.
His organisation has helped flood victims, poor families and needy pupils.
The purpose of life, Ho said, was to serve, show compassion and help people in distress.
“Even though Yayasan Kebajikan Suria Kawasan Permas is in its infancy, we bring some 20 years of experience in helping the poor and marginalised.
“Given a chance, watch us grow for we are treading on ‘a road less travelled’, venturing into territo- ries where few dare to go.”
He said foundations were normally set up by big multinationals and public-listed companies.
Ho said small charitable entities like his “do little things in small ways with love”.
His foundation had provided financial aid to patients in need of critical surgeries, adding that “our priority is to help those in need of major operations”.
According to him, a number of terminally-ill patients had benefited from Yayasan Kebajikan Suria Kawasan Permas.
“We have contributed cash, as well as in the purchase of medicines.”
On a number of occasions, Ho had shaved his head bald to raise funds for charitable bodies.
“I am prepared to go bald again if any orphanage or home needs help.”
His acts of charity have had a major impact on the lives of the underprivileged.
The beneficiaries included not just the poor, orphans and the handicapped, but also HIV/AIDS patients, the blind, paralytics patients, the mentally-challenged, children with Down’s syndrome, stroke patients, cancer victims, the aged and jobless, severe diabetic patients, single mothers, abused and battered wives, the homeless and needy students.
“Our life on this earth is very short, so let us do some good deed to mankind during this period.”
A number of rural and poor schools has received aid from the foundation.
“I remember charitable bodies knocking on my door seeking my assistance. They knew I was able to assist them in their charitable drives.”
He said: “I believe God is watching and he is my backbone. And, therefore, I am able to carry out my tasks.
“Serving the needy and poor is a calling. We want to see the poor and underprivileged taken care of and we will continue to do something to make them feel cared for.”
Ho doesn’t get paid for his work. His contributions to the needy and underprivileged were recognised when he was awarded the 2nd Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Award (IMSHA) by Iskandar Malaysia last year.
He was also awarded the Poverty and Hunger Relief and Disaster Relief award by IMSHA at a ceremony officiated by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed.
Ho, who was among 12 people chosen to receive the award, told the New Sunday Times: “I am not worthy of this award.”
He said the award came as a surprise as the nomination and short-listing process was carried out anonymously.
“I am honoured to have been awarded.”
Serving the needy and poor is a calling. We want to see the poor and underprivileged taken care of...