PUCHONG, 18 February 2017: Ten selected underprivileged households from Enggang Flat benefited from Great Vision Charity Association (GVCA) in their ongoing monthly charity program, Shopping Buddy Program. The families were invited to a groceries shopping outing at Tesco Scott Garden accompanied by volunteers from the association. Funded by public donation, each family is presented with RM100 cash vouchers to help ease their burden.
Great Vision Charity Association representative Ms Chor Mun Yan said the association was focusing on serving the underprivileged community in its Shopping Buddy Program by extending the reach to different PPR and flats in Lembah Pantai area since the program began in October 2014.
“Entering the third year of Rakan Shopping program, our team visits to different PPR and flats in Lembah Pantai every month to reach out to low income and underprivileged families.
Many of the participating families for this event came from a poor and challenging background. 5 out of 10 families are receiving subsidy of rental aid from Zakat Selangor,” she said.
Throughout the shopping session, volunteers helped the families in selecting the daily necessities and calculated the sum of goods.
A participating volunteer, Melinda Khoo Kwai Fun commented through observing her assigned beneficiary’s buying behavior, she is more grateful and appreciate what she has.
“By interacting and shopping together with our assigned beneficiary, Makcik Zahara, it has opened my eyes to realize that we live in a very privilege life. She was very careful with her purchased and always comparing the price of the product so she would pick the cheapest amongst all. She told us she eats very simple meal every day, sometime just egg with rice or just sardines as a dish.” said Melinda.
Another participated student volunteer, Lee Lye Yin also described her volunteering experience with her a pair of deaf and dumb couple during the event.
“I observed the deaf and dumb couple’s expressions and interactions that they do not complain about their disabilities and difficulties in life. They were observant and careful with their spending of the goods. Rakan Shopping Program have lessened the financial burden for this month.” said Lee.
The charity shopping event was surprised by the visit of an online florist, Happy Bunch. The florist generously gifted flowers to all the families and volunteers and lifted smiles on everyone’s face. The families were delighted with the kind gesture and expressed their gratitude to GVCA representative and the florist.
For details on Great Vision Charity Association, visit their official website at www.persatuanharapanmulia.wordpress.com or write to them at [email protected].
