Treating the needy like family

Businessman makes it a point never to lose touch with those he has helped

BUTTERWORTH: Helping the needy isn’t just a one-off thing for Chua Sui Hau (pic).

Those who seek help from his non-profit organisation would eventually become a “family” of sorts to him.

“We never lose touch with those we have helped. We would always follow up with them to see how they are coping over the years,” said

Chua, 44.

One Hope Charity and Welfare Berhad, which he founded 17 years ago, would hold an annual gathering for them.

“It is a wonderful feeling to see them progress over the years,” he said.

“To me, it has been the greatest gift to see babies with congenital heart disease who required expensive surgery, now growing up and running around with no ailment, or amputees now walking comfortably with their prosthetics, or those who were unwell completely recovered. The happiest thing that can happen is seeing their lives change and improve,” he added.

Chua, who is a businessman, said: “When they approach us for help, we treat them like family and look out for them like a family would. We want them to feel like we are there for them not as an organisation but as a family who cares.”

Chua said the number of patients who approached the organisation for help had increased over the years, adding that this has made them even more committed to their task.

“We also provide free health check-ups for the low-income groups to allow them to better understand their health condition and get early treatment.

“We do not give out money. Instead, we pay their hospital bills, aftercare expenses, and other personal needs that arise,” he said.

Chua said he had, over the years, gained a dedicated team which helped him run the organisation.

“It is the effort from all of our kind-hearted team members and the generous public that has helped us help others.

“We have various assistance funds such as a medical fund, funeral and burial assistance fund, living cost assistance fund, among others. Donors are welcome to donate any amount,” he said.

Chua said his family always encouraged him to give back to society.

He learnt from his mother at a very young age that it was important to help people.

“When I was still schooling, my mother noticed that some of my classmates were so poor that they could not afford stationery items and books. She would give me some extra money to buy it for them.

“This impacted me and made me want to help those in need,” he said.

He started the organisation when he was 27-years-old.

“I was building my career and running the organisation at the same time. Somehow, instead of hindering my work it motivated me and made me a better person,” he said.