Good Samaritans answer call to aid stroke patient, family
KUCHING: An urban poor family from Moyan, near here was once again the recipient of aid from a group of Good Samaritans brought together by volunteer social worker Lim Chee Haw.
The family’s patriach, stroke patient Tan Ah Lek, 69, received donations in the form of food items delivered to his home by Lim recently.
Lim said the items were bought by the Good Samaritans to reduce the financial burden of Tan’s family.
He explained that Tan is unable to work following a stroke few years ago and now depends on his 67-year- old wife who sometimes works as helper in a coffee shop and two sons to sustain the household expenditure.
He said the small income earned by Tan’s wife was barely enough to pay for the monthly house rent of RM300.
His sons – a daily- paid lorry driver and a wireman – provide some assistance despite having families of their own to care for.
“We have assisted this family a few times last year. This is the first assistance received by them from us this year.
“Having lived through poverty and hardship during my younger years, I understand Tan’s current predicament. I thank all the donors who have helped,” said Lim, retired Marine Police personnel now devoted to charity work.
He also said the same group of Good Samaritans had also recently reached out to some urban poor families in Kuching, including 45-yearold Tajem Rikot who lives at Jalan Ang Cheng Ho and often faces financial difficulties in supporting his family.
Lim added Tajem’s salary as a wireman was jeopardised following physical injuries sustained in an accident a few years ago.
“I wish to thank the donors – Ho Hin Motors Sdn Bhd in Kota Samarahan, Fook Lai Construction in MJC Batu Kawa, and a Mr Hii and Sandi Bunya from Jalan Matang – for their generous contributions.”
On another matter, Lim said he has also received cash donations from the Good Samaritans for the purpose of buying coffins for poor families.
Poor families facing difficulties during bereavement can contact Lim on 082-248153 or 016- 8070388 about the coffins, which will be delivered to the eligible families.
“There a Chinese belief that buying a coffin will bring reversal of bad fortune. Whatever the reason may be, this act of buying coffins for others can, in fact, ease the burden of the poor and the needy,” said Lim.
He added several coffins have been sent to as far as Bau, Serian and Sri Aman, including to recent recipients in Kampung Murud Plaman near Serian; Kampung Sinjog, Mile 18 Kuching- Serian Road; Kampung Sabang in Simunjan; Kampung Tanah Merah, Mile 27 Kuching- Serian Road; and Kampung Mantung Marau in Serian.