KUCHING: Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah has called on more non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to emulate 38 Yayasan Pencinta Amal.
The state Women, Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Minister said the aptly named NGO — Pencinta Amal, loosely translated as ‘charity lovers’ — had helped the communities regardless of race, religion, gender and location (urban or rural areas).
“I was made to understand that to date, 38 Yayasan Pencinta Amal has distributed a total of 8,500 food packs (each pack worth RM100) to the needy around Kuching and Samarahan.
“In conjunction with the Chinese New Year (CNY) celebration, the NGO has also distributed 1,000 dry food rations to needy Chinese folk in my constituency (Dalat).
“I call on more NGOs and other corporate bodies in Sarawak to emulate 38 Yayasan Pencinta Amal in providing a safety net for the poor and needy in our society,” she said at a pre-CNY do for the Salvation Army and Boys Home here on Monday (Jan 24).
She also commended the NGO for bringing cheer to the children after two years of CNY lull.
“Congratulations to the organisers for creating the mood for the upcoming celebration.
“The lion dance also brought a change to the whole atmosphere — ushering in joy and hope that better things will come after this.
“As we know, the children at Salvation Army and Boys Home are really in dire need of our attention and help.
“Help is not just basic necessities like shelter, clothing, education, books and food in fact, they actually need love and that is what 38 Yayasan Pencinta Amal is doing today.
“Let us all work hand in hand to ensure that the wellbeing of our children is always protected.”
During the event, a total of 80 children received ang pow.
Also present were Fatimah’s husband Datuk Adi Badiozaman, 38 Yayasan Pencinta Amal founder Datuk Seri Ho Kim Hee and state Welfare Department director Datuk Noriah Ahmad.
