Sukarna's Story - From Darkness to Light

For Sri Lankan refugee Sukarna, HOPE worldwide had given her a second chance to start anew. She had been afflicted by malnourishment and depression; her sunken eyes and skinny complexion were a sight of sorrow. Her problem was compounded by the fact that she is a refugee from Sri Lanka and could only speak Tamil.

In 2009, after enduring a civil war which devastated their homeland, tragedy hit Sukarna’s family as her husband was shot in the head. After being shot, he fell into a coma. Though he recovered a year later but continue to suffer from frequent convulsions as a result of the injury. He eventually succumbed to being paralyzed but regain consciousness after further treatments. "I spent all our savings for his treatments. I was very sad that he was bed-ridden nevertheless,” she said. Since her husband became paralyzed, she and her two daughters Sarukkah and Kuilini lost the protection of a husband and a father. That’s when she faced severe stigma and discrimination from the society and life was so unsafe for her and her daughters. Her husband helplessly urged her to leave the country together with the daughters to start a new life in Malaysia. With much sorrows, Sukarna bid farewell with her husband without knowing if there will be a chance to see him again.

She and her family came to Malaysia hoping to start a new life with the help from her uncle here, but her hopes were dashed as her uncle passed away due to heart attack two months after she arrived here. It was almost too cruel to contemplate, but it was not to be the end of the world for her.

Just when she needs all the help she can get, Sukarna found relief in the free clinic in Sentul, which provided her medication. She also signed up for the food distribution program by HOPE worldwide which helped her and her daughters to stave off hunger. And just to make sure she can overcome the trauma of losing the loved ones in her life, the clinic also referred her for to get counselling help from professionals.

Sukarna, now in better health and a more cheerful person, thanked HOPE worldwide for treating her with more than basic respect.

"I want to thank HOPE worldwide once again from the bottom of my heart for giving me and my daughters the incredible privilege of being served. I wish I was the one had fallen instead of my husband, so that we don’t have to run away from our homeland. But only God knows and everything happened for a reason,” she said.

The most immediate priority, once she's had some time to settle down, she said, is to work as a tailor once again. "I want to start making clothes again.

Hence, the story doesn't end here. Thanks to our volunteer, Mr. Jeyapalan who met Sukarna at our Sentul Free Clinic of HOPE. After hearing her story, without much hesitation, Mr. Jeya decided to contribute the cost of a new sewing machine for Sukarna so she can start a new life by having a job to earn a living, to rebuild her family.

On 16 March, we delivered the Sewing Machine to Sukarna's home. 

Now, Sukarna also wishes to see that her daughters are doing fine. "I want to see that they have what they need to face the road ahead,"” she said. She also hopes that one day they could reunite with her husband again.

Check out the video which concluded the above event on our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/2mWOQMH

Bringing HOPE Changing LIVES

Mary Kay Staff Touched the Lives of Single Mothers

23 August 2016, Mary Kay Pink Changing Lives Single Mothers Makeover Session

Last Friday, Mary Kay staff and beautician came over to our centre to have a makeover session for 10 single mothers who are also beneficial families of HOPE worldwide Malaysia in the Food Distribution and Education Programs. It was such a heartwarming session as during the makeover session, the beautician get to listen to the single mothers' hard fighting stories and their bravery in breaking through different hardships to fend for their children's future.

This makeover session meant a lot for these Single Mothers. Taking care of themselves is the least thing these Single Mothers ever think about. They are the breadwinners and as well the nurturer for the families. They wear many hats and play different roles. Hence, Mary Kay would like to take this opportunity to have a relaxing moment for these Single Mothers. Yet most importantly, Mary Kay would like to deliver a very important message to these mothers - Confidence. Taking care of their appearance also mean to boost the self confidence in them. Mary Kay sees the strength in these mothers and would like to install and empower them with confidence to socialize, and as well carry themselves gracefully in their workplace.

Besides, Mary Kay also contributed groceries for these mothers. We also appreciate the rest of Mary Kay's staff volunteers joining the creative art activities in reaching out to the children of the single mothers.

Through this year Pink Changing Lives CSR Campaign, Mary Kay has raised a total of RM 30,000.00 for the operation cost of our organization community programs that focused on 3 core areas of the urban poor community - Health & Medical, Food & Nutrition and Education & Empowerment.

This is the 6th consecutive year of our CSR Partnership with Mary Kay Malaysia and we are so grateful for Mary Kay's support, trust and generosity in endeavor of helping the poor and needy that is align with our motto - Bringing HOPE, Changing LIVES.

For more event photos, check them out at our Facebook page by clicking into: Mary Kay Single Mothers Makeover Session

Bringing HOPE Changing LIVES

KidZania Kuala Lumpur Celebrated 4th Year Anniversary with 4 Charity Organizations

28 February 2016, KidZania Kuala Lumpur 4th Year Anniversary 

The year 2016 marked the 4th year of the establishment of KidZania Kuala Lumpur, a family edutainment centre which offers an interactive learning and entertainment experience for kids in a kid-sized city. HOPE worldwide Malaysia, alongside with 3 more charity organizations were very honored to be invited to be a part of celebration.

What can be a greater celebration by seeing the kids from HOPE worldwide Malaysia and 3 charity organizations to enjoyed their best moments in lives, learning in various sectors, open up their minds and perspectives, toward their dream jobs in the future?

We would like to thank KidZania Kuala Lumpur's management team for your thoughtful arrangement. To see the kids having fun while learning and gained so much precious experiences, was truly an inspiration. As these kids might not always have chances like this, that this day could be a day to inspire them, who they wish to be in the future, and they will start to work hard to reach their goals.

The day ended with a lunch treat by KidZania Kuala Lumpur. The kids have had a great time here in KidZania! Once again, Thank You KidZania!

For more event photos, check them out on our Facebook page by clicking into: KidZania Kuala Lumpur 4th Anniversary

Bringing HOPE Changing LIVES

Starbucks Milestone with Kg Lubok Jaya's Community Development Project

31 October 2015, Starbucks Kg Lubok Jaya Computer Centre Graduation Ceremony 2014 to 2015

Thanks to Starbucks' CSR initiative that made a difference in the communities' lives of Kg. Lubok Jaya. We began with empowering the kids with basic computer knowledge and Microsoft skills, and right now, we had also empowered another 20 adults learner!

Kudos to all fellow volunteers and also the committed facilitators, one of them is the local trainer, Darwish, 19, who is also the village head's son, he realizes the objective of the program: Train the Trainer, for sustainability.

Right now, in total, we had 40 children and 20 adults graduated from the program.

During the graduation day, we had the adults to browse through Cooking Lessons through YouTube Channels, and as well, they too can create their own recipes of their delicacies.

The CSR Initiatives started by Starbucks buying the harvest of the banana plantation, and generated F&B products for sales. Part of the proceeds were raised for building a community computer centre in Kg. Lubok Jaya. The social impact started to grow since then, and we believe will continue to grow.

For more event photos, kindly log on to our Facebook by clicking into: Starbucks Kg. Lubok Jaya Graduation Day

Bringing HOPE Changing LIVES

SAP Malaysia CSR Filming at 1 Stop IT Resource Centre

24 October 2015, SAP Malaysia CSR Filming Day at 1 Stop IT Resource Centre

SAP Malaysia CSR Filming Day took place at HOPE worldwide Malaysia 1 Stop IT Reource Centre with 7 students from our beneficial families and 7 volunteers from HELP Universities as the mentors for the students, in completing online research project by using Microsoft Power Point.

SAP Malaysia has been supporting the 1 Stop IT Resource Centre since the program was established in 2013, in both HOPE worldwide Kuala Lumpur and Penang. More than 300 students were benefited from this program. In Kuala Lumpur, we have been conducting classes in teaching Microsoft Office - Word, Power Point and Excel and also Windows Movie Maker, and as of 2014, total 196 students were graduated from these classes.

On that day, the students were given 2 titles to choose:
(1) Tell us about your favorite country and why do you wish to travel there?
(2) Talk about Endangered Animals and how do you protect them? 

Besides the 6 students whose age range are from 10 to 12 years old, we also have one adult learner, her name is Madam Jeya, who is a single mother, which she followed both of her sons, Maatheeswaran (14 years old) and Dinheshwaran (16 years old) to the centre, in hope to learn some computer skills, in order to have more employment opportunities. Both Maatheeswaran and Dineshwaran also our students in our education programs since they were very young. Dineshwaran is now empowered to be one of the volunteers to assist our main facilitator to facilitate the class for the SAP Malaysia CSR Filming Day.

Madam Jeya is a single mother who raised up three children - Yogavarthine (eldest daughter), Dineshwaran and Maatheeswaran all by herself. Through life is challenging for here, but her self-motivated spirit by not stopping herself to learn new things is very inspiring.

Mentored by the volunteers from HELP University, each student was given 1 hour to do online research for the title they chose. Both volunteer and student together look for information and photos for their topic.

While the students and volunteers were working on their projects, the production team kicks start with their documentation by interviewing the Managing Director of SAP Malaysia, Mr. Terrence Yong and the Program Manager of HOPE worldwide Malaysia, Mr. Caesar Teh. After the interview session, the team also documented the students and volunteers inside the 1 Stop IT Resource Centre. 

After the students are done with their presentation, the student together with their mentor, present their works through showing their presentation on the projection screen. 

Thanks to SAP Malaysia and the production team, who had made this session so special and uplifting for the students. We look forward to empower more individuals through the 1 Stop IT Resource Centre especially open up more learning opportunities for adults like Madam Jeya.

For more event photos, check them out on our Facebook page by clicking into SAP Malaysia CSR Filming Day

 

Bringing HOPE Changing LIVES