Good deeds transcend religion, ethnicity
KUCHING: Differences in religious beliefs and ethnicity did not matter for a group of Good Samaritans as they raised funds to assist a Hindu temple and three poor Bidayuh families.
The group’s representative, volunteer social worker Lim Chee Haw, said the first recipient was Sri Maha Mariamman Temple at Mount Matang, which needed help to hold the ‘Chithirai Pournami Festival’, set to run from today until April 19.
The items bought by donors such as potatoes, onions, ginger, rice, cooking oil, milk and snacks were handed over by Lim to Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple committee members at Ban Hock Road.
According to Lim, the Srinivasagar Kaliamman Temple committee would bring the items up to the Sri Maha Mariamman Temple at Mount Matang for the festival.
Meanwhile, the second presentation of food items such as rice, cooking oil, sugar and snacks was meant for two families at Kampung Padang Pan, and one family at Kampung Tembawang Sauh – both in Bau District.
The representative of the families, Bau District Women Organisation chairperson Ator Nadeng, came to Lim’s house to collect the items, which were later brought to the recipients.
Lim gave special mention to Mr Law and family from Foochow Road No 2, Fook Lai Construction in Batu Kawa New Township, Bryan Chin and family, and other donors for their assistance in this latest charity act.
“I thank the donors who have responded to my request to help these recipients. Some of us are not even of the same faith as the recipients, but that does not stop us from helping them. We believe in helping the deserving people irrespective of race and creed,” said Lim, a retired Marine Police personnel, who has performed more than 800 charity acts so far, and aims to hit the 1,000-mark within the next two years.
On a related matter, Lim said he could also assist poor families requiring coffins for the funeral of a departed family member. This is made by possible through cash donations from Good Samaritans, which are then ‘parked’ at a coffin shop here – to be used whenever a genuine request is received.
So far, such assistance has been rendered even to families in the rural areas including Kampung Sira in Puncak Borneo, Sungai Apong near Kuching, Kampung Murud Plaman near Serian, Kampung Sinjog near Siburan, Kampung Sabang in Simunjan, Kampung Tanah Merah at Mile 27 of Kuching- Serian Road, and Kampung Mantung Marau.
The latest to receive such assistance was a family from Kampung Sadir in Padawan for the funeral of an elderly man on April 10.
According to Lim, the assistance is of great help for poor families who cannot afford to buy coffins and the donors may have donated their money out of an old belief that it can reverse their bad luck.
“I can be contacted at 082-248 153 or 016- 807 0388 if you require assistance. Don’t look for me on social media, including Facebook because I do not have one,” said Lim.