Jan 1, 2023 : - As we welcome the dawn of a new year, we cannot help but start looking back at the events of the past year. Two significant ones were the lifting of the movement control order ( MCO ) and the emergence of a new government following the country’s general election.
Some of us, reeling from two years of lock down due to the pandemic, came out of the MCO with a vengeance for travel. Yet, there are others who are still licking their wounds inflicted by two years of economic slowdown.
Most hard hit were the less fortunates residing in various charity homes. Their reliance on the generosity of the public came to an abrupt stop when both cash contributions and material donations diminished to critical levels. As 2023 begins, we are still unclear where we are heading. We seem to be achieving some semblance of normalcy yet deep inside us, we know things will never be the same as before.
Caring Soul, a charity outfit which my wife and I started, is 13 years old this year. We started the new year with visits to two old folks home in Semenyih and a handicapped home in Cheras. My wife and I went on a shopping spree the past few days to buy various grocery items for the three homes. This time round, we have to make purchases at various places to include Chinese new year items for the homes.
After accumulating the necessities, we made deliveries to the homes on the morning of Jan 1, 2023. Special thanks go to Datuk Ho Kay Tat, the Group MD of the Edge Communication, for sponsoring the grocery items to the three homes.
The balance of unsold hair shampoos that were donated by an old time friend, Eric and his wife Ann, for our recent charity bazaar were later distributed to the residents of the homes. A total cash donation of RM 1,500 was also made to the three homes on behalf of two friends, Charles Chee and Aaron Shori, who entrusted us with the assignment.
It took us half a day to complete our mission. Caring Soul will make an attempt to increase its activities to help the less fortunate this year. This is because we continue to see charity homes seeking for help more explicitly than before.
We continue to pray and hope that kind hearted friends will take some moments to remember them from time to time. We hope to help them get out of this difficult times, not with indulgence but with proper care and love.
Lastly, as we put 2022 behind us and look forward to a fresh 2023, let us remember what Mark Twain said :-
“ I cherish the dreams of yesterday and dare not dwell on the err’s of my past whose fate has been long decided, and effect I cannot change. For the dreams of yesterday are the challenges of today, and the hope for tomorrow”
With that, my wife and I wish everyone a great year ahead, filled with joy, happiness and above all abundance of great health.
Happy New Year !