Good Samaritans come to aid of cancer patient
KUCHING: A group of Good Samaritans brought together by volunteer social worker Lim Chee Haw have reached out to aid cancer patient Bong Say Fong of RPR Batu Gong near Siburan recently.
Lim said it was the third time this year they gave away donations comprising rice, cooking oil and other household items meant to reduce the financial burden of Bong’s family.
Lim explained that Bong, 48, has been receiving treatment for nose and throat cancer for the past few years. The welfare assistance from the government and aid from family and friends are barely enough to supplement the meagre income of her husband and family breadwinner, 56-year- old lorry driver Pui Sin Fatt.
“I’m happy the donors responded quickly to my request to assist this family. Having lived through poverty and hardship during my younger years, I know and understand the predicament now faced by Bong’s family, and I thank those who have helped them,” said Lim, a retired Marine Police personnel now devoted to charity work.
Lim thanked a Mr Law and family from Foochow Road No 2, Fook Lai Construction in MJC Batu Kawa, a Mr Hii and Sandi Bunya from Jalan Matang, and others for their assistance in this latest charity act.
On another matter, Lim said poor families needing coffins for the funeral of a departed family member can contact him at 082- 248153 or 016- 8070388 for assistance.
He revealed that a family from Kampung Sadir, Puncak Borneo was the latest to receive such assistance after they needed help to get a coffin for a deceased elderly relative.
Before that, similar assistance had been rendered to families at Sungai Apong here, Kampung Murud Plaman near Serian, Kampung Sinjog at Mile 18 Kuching - Serian Road, Kampung Sabang in Simunjan, Kampung Tanah Merah at Mile 27 Kuching - Serian Road and Kampung Mantung Marau in Serian.
“Several coffins have been sent to poor families as far as Bau, Serian and Sri Aman. I thank the Good Samaritans who have donated money for this purpose, and their money is ‘ parked’ at a coffin shop here to be used whenever we receive a genuine request for a coffin.
“The donors may have done this out of an old Chinese belief that this could reverse their bad fortune, such as to revive or boost their business. Nonetheless, buying coffins for others is also a commendable act especially in the charity and welfare aspect,” said Lim.