Doing a little charity with the Puma 4x4 Club Malaysia

Start off the new year, my family and I joined the members of the Puma 4x4 Club Malaysia in doing a little charity for the needy and the unfortunate. Now, while not going off-road deep into the untamed wilderness (like the time we went to Sungai Mas 2 years ago), the club occasionally engage in acts of kindness such as donating food, clothing and other essentials to charity. Funding comes from the collection of annual membership fees as well as donations from both members and non-members.

In case you were wondering, you don' t actually need to own a 4x4 to be a member of the Puma 4x4 Club, as you can hitch a ride with one of the other cars if there's a vacant seat! :)

We gathered at the clubhouse in Malim, Melaka on a fine Sunday morning. My good friend and former colleague, Jackson Goh (now happily retired), was already on the scene, all geared up and rearing to go. Not long afterwards, the Club President, Tan Poh Heng (a.k.a. "Lau Tar") arrived as well. Eventually, all participants of our convoy arrived, and we set off towards our first destination - the Melaka Salvatorian Home.

The Salvatorian Home was an orphanage, which was run by Sister Mary Soon and Jane Pui. There were a number of children from various races here. Earlier, Jackson did write to them to inform them of our good intentions, and asked if there was anything in particular on their "wish list". There was the essential food stuff (Koko Krunch Cornflakes, Ribena, Biscuits, Tuna Mayo), stuff to keep the place running (toilet rolls, Dish washing liquid), school bags for the kids and 2 standing fans (which we helped assemble).

After spending some time with the kids there, we set off to our next destination, the Happiness Center for the Mentally Disabled Children (PKKTA Bahagia), which was situated roughly half an hour's drive away, at Klebang.

Although I had driven along the main road just in front of the Happiness Center many times, I never knew of it's existence, as it was about 200 meters off along one of the smaller roads just beside a large condominium. I feel a little sad to note that if no one even knew they were there, chances of receiving aid and donations would be quite slim.

There was a sign here that was a real eye-opener. I was a little skeptical at first, but after walking through the single-storey bungalow house, I believe that this figure was justified. While it may seem like a standard house from the outside, the interior was fully loaded with beds for the inhabitants. Even in the main hall, there were already 3 or 4 beds, and each room had just as many. Not all of them were children - there were a few elder inhabitants as well. Some of them had families, but due to the difficulty in raising them on their own, they were placed here and visited occasionally (on weekends, holidays).

By then, it was getting close to noon, so we headed on to our final destination - the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Love Center.

Another place just off a road that I have traveled along many, many times before. Situated deep into a housing estate, the corner lot had a big compound which was lined with many chairs for the inhabitants. Just as at the other two locations before, we were also greeted with smiles and I could feel the warmth of their gratitude as we dropped off some much needed supplies.

Having gone long with the Puma 4x4 Club, me and my family could see the donations were given out, and who were their recipients. There are many unfortunate people in this world, and though you may read about it and see it on TV (or read it in an online blog post, such as this one), nothing compares to a first hand account. Definitely more meaningful and engaging then, say, putting RM10 into a charity donation box.

If any of you out there would like to donate or offer assistance to any of the 3 charities mentioned above, their contact information is given below:-

Please don't be mean and spare the spam / crank-calls!