Kuala Lumpur, 16 April 2016: Through a continuous effort from Great Vision Charity Association (GVCA), the Shopping Buddy Program continues to bring hope to different needy families by contributing RM100 cash voucher to them for a grocery shopping trip. Ten poor families from PPR Muhibbah, Puchong were assessed by the association on their financial status and living condition before being brought to do some shopping at Tesco.
During the assessment, social workers from GVCA found that the living condition of the poverty-stricken families are quite impoverished. Most families are making an average of RM1,000 a month as household income and are literally living from hand to mouth. Some families even live in hardcore poor condition whereby they have no source of income due to old age or illness.
One of the hardcore-poor single-mother lamented that she has to take care of her four young children ever since her husband’s passing. Life is even harder when they only live based on a RM400 monthly support provided by her relatives.
Another underprivileged old couple have been living a frugal life since struggling from sickness while carrying the burden of a long overdue rental to pay off behind their back. “We are feeling helpless as we are suffering from sickness and the financial burden of everyday life. Sometimes we are aided by some good hearted neighbours by providing us minimal food,” sighed Subramaniaim, who was one of the beneficiaries of the Shopping Buddy program.
There was some respite for the 10 families and their hardship seems to be forgotten for a short while when the families were chauffeured by volunteers from GVCA to Tesco Scott Garden for a session of grocery shopping accompanied by the volunteers. Throughout the grocery shopping session, the families were happily selecting their goods and groceries while the volunteers aided them in summing up the purchase of goods. One of the highlights was a young child whom represented her sick mother to the event. She was guided by a volunteer and being taught on the importance of setting priorities in life through the experience of choosing her necessity goods. After the grocery shopping, the families were also being invited to have a luncheon before being chauffeured back to their homes.
“My child who followed me throughout the session was surprise at how much RM100 can buy. The families went home with bags of groceries. After the event, she learned how to spend wisely and be grateful for what she has,” commented Lim Seow Ting, a volunteer of the event.
“Rakan Shopping” membantu 10 keluarga miskin tegar
Kuala Lumpur, 16 April 2016: Sepuluh keluarga miskin tegar dari PPR Muhibbah menerima bantuan melalui Program Rakan Shopping yang dianjur oleh Persatuan Harapan Mulia, sebuah NGO yang membantu golongan kurang berkemampuan. Keluarga-keluarga miskin tegar ini diberi baucar membeli-belah bernilai RM100 dan ditemani oleh sukarelawan dari persatuan tersebut untuk membeli barangan keperluan harian.
Latar belakang isi rumah miskin tegar ini dikenal pasti ketika kunjungan dibuat oleh wakil persatuan, cik Chor Mun Yan.
“Kehidupan golongan miskin tegar ini agak membimbangkan kerana sesetengah mereka tidak berpendapatan manakala sesetengah pendapatan isi rumah mereka berada dalam purata RM1,000. Salah seorang ibu tunggal terpaksa menjaga anak-anak yang masih kecil lagi dan tidak dapat bekerja. Dia menerima bantuan RM400 sahaja sebagai perbelanjaan isi rumah bagi sebulan dari saudaranya. Satu lagi keluarga daif tidak berpendapatan disebabkan tua dan sakit. Kehidupan mereka amat susah dan air di rumahnya telah disekat akibat tertunggak sewa rumah,” ulas Chor.
Para sukarelawan dari persatuan tersebut meluahkan perasaan penuh sukacita kerana berpeluang meluangkan masa berinteraksi dan membantu para keluarga miskin yang terpilih membeli barangan keperluan di Tesco Scott Garden. “Aku berasa senang hati melihat bagaimana program ini dapat meringankan beban keluarga-keluarga miskin ini dan betapa berertinya baucar RM100 tersebut buat mereka.” kata Encik Tong Chin Fong, salah seorang sukarelawan sesi Rakan Shopping.
