In times of adversity, the human spirit knows no bounds. It is heartening to see local communities coming together to help those in need.
Taman Tun Dr Ismail residents’ association, had on Monday, channelled aid to residents in Sungai Penchala after parts of the area was placed under the Enhanced Movement Control Order on June 10.
Its residents’ association chairman Abdul Hafiz Abu Bakar said the decision to help those in Sungai Penchala came after they learnt that the residents there were having difficulty in getting food, and other supplies.
“We learnt from our MP, Hannah Yeoh, and the Welfare Department, that residents in the area needed help, especially food items. So, we launched ‘Tabung Prihatin PKPD Sg Penchala Kuala Lumpur’ on June 14,” said Abdul Hafiz.
“The idea was to collect funds from residents in Taman Tun Dr Ismail to purchase food items worth RM100 for each of the affected families.”
On Monday, 110 food baskets, comprising two fresh chickens, vegetables, eggs, milk, biscuits, noodles and canned sardines, among others, were distributed to the affected residents.
Abdul Hafiz said a total of RM17,933 was collected and the food baskets cost RM16,419.35. Local grocer, Hero Market, offered a discount of RM3,283.85 for the items as they, too, wanted to help the affected residents.
“We purchased the food items from Hero Market and they helped deliver them to Sungai Penchala,” said Abdul Hafiz.
A total of 1,000 facemasks, 1,000 pairs of gloves and 250 face shields were also sent to government officers on duty in the area on June 16. The association, according to Abdul Hafiz, plans to channel the excess donation to the residents in the coming days.
Describing the initiative as a collective effort involving various stakeholders in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Abdul Hafiz shared that it was also heartwarming to see residents in other areas, including Mutiara Damansara and Mont Kiara, chipping in.
Abdul Hafiz said other non-governmental organisations had also sent other food items to the affected residents.
Asked what it took to get communities and stakeholders to work together during these testing times, Abdul Hafiz said it all boils down to being proactive and taking the initiative to help those in need.
“There is a perception that those living in Taman Tun Dr Ismail are well to do. Yes, this is probably so. But while money can move things, what is more important is the spirit of volunteerism. People must also put their skills and knowledge to good use.
“As long as people are willing to come together to help, a lot can be achieved in a short time,” said Abdul Hafiz.
He said the association often helped the local communities, and this included raising funds for fire victims in Sungai Penchala in 2019.
“Sungai Penchala is our neighbour and we wanted to extend our help to those in need. It is the neighbourly thing to do,” said Abdul Hafiz, adding that the association had previously helped the long-house community in Bukit Kiara.
Abdul Hafiz said he recently discussed with Yeoh, the fate of the more than 2,000 households in the Desa Rejang People’s Housing Scheme (PPR) in Setiawangsa who were also facing a shortage of food supply. The area will be under EMCO until July 1.
“But there is only so much that we can do. We hope other residents’ associations in the affected locality will also work together to do more for those in their area,” he said.