PETALING JAYA, 20 October 2015 – The world is divided into haves and
have-nots – and that division begins early.
Millions
of children around the world fall short of basic human rights – food, clothing
and shelter – and often education that facilitates the pursuit of a better life
to escape the cycle of poverty.
It
is hard to imagine legions of underprivileged young for whom fast food is a
rare luxury, have never washed with shampoo or owned a toothbrush.
They
are not just in desperate Third World countries. They are right here, in our
midst - in Malaysia's prosperous cities and deep rural reaches. They are of
different family background and races, reflecting our nation's multi-cultural
composition.
Children's
Day - an occasion to cherish our junior citizens - is an opportunity to reach
out to these needy ones at the Children’s Day Charity Bazaar on 8 November at
The School in Jaya One, organized by Living
Hope.
Living Hope
is a non-profit organization that aims to reach out to poor, needy
and marginalized children in Malaysia and internationally. “Living Hope's outreach programme is for
children below 12,” explained founder and Chairman, Dr Peggy C Wong. “Under the
supervision of an older mentor, they observe and learn simple business skills
during the buying and selling at the stalls. It is also a boost for their
self-esteem and life skills,” she added.
Charles
Wong, Executive Director of Tetap Tiara Sdn Bhd, developer for Jaya One and The
School affirmed, “We believe that every child deserves the best start in life
as well as an equal chance to fulfill their dreams, regardless of their
cultural and socio-economic status.”
Held
from 11am until 5pm, various college-age volunteers and younger kids will be
manning more than 60 booths ranging from food, creative and imaginative
products as well as participating in exciting performances and activities to
show off the entrepreneurial spirit of young Malaysians.
The
coupons are available for sale at RM50 per booklet with everything is only
priced from RM5 at the bazaar. More than 5,000 visitors are expected to throng
the bazaar to support Malaysian small businesses and also do their bit for
charity.
“Through
the meaningful collaboration with Living Hope, we hope that funds will reach
out to more underprivileged children, so that they are able to receive education,''
added Wong of Tetap Tiara Sdn Bhd.
Coinciding
with the organization’s 8th anniversary, the proceeds will go towards
Living Hope's myriad of activities - such as hot meals and educational
materials to help children from families with income under RM700.
“We
and the children are deeply grateful to Mr Charles Wong of The School for the
kind generosity in working with us to make this bazaar a success,” Dr Peggy C Wong concluded.
The
public can opt to purchase the coupon booklets at The School’s information
counter on the Ground Floor or the Living Hope office at Damansara Utama
(03-7727 5887) from now until 8 November. For more information about this
event, visit the Facebook
page at www.facebook.com/LivingHopeGlobal.