The Universal Peace Federation (UPF) of Malaysia has joined hands with the local community in pooling resources to help struggling families cope with the predicament brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The project aptly named ‘Circle of light’, is offering hope to families in plight. “These families are severely affected and some no longer have a reliable income source for food sustenance, said Mr Sudesh G. Balasubramaniam, President of UPF Malaysia.
From the onset of the pandemic, UPF through its Circle of Light project has teamed up with donors to fill goodie bags with rice, eggs, noodles, sugar, oil, canned foods to enable the poor to manage through the lockdown period.
“We have benefitted over 6,000 families and individuals so far throughout Malaysia where our chapters are located. It is heartening to see our volunteers respond to the drive to collect food items for distribution to the poor,” he added.
UPF’s motto ‘Living for the Sake of others’ teaches the unique value of empathy which is an important quality that all should embody.
Recently in Ipoh, Sungai Siput and Bidor, over 300 underprivileged families and individuals received food rations through the Circle of Light project. Due to the travel restrictions to curb the rising number of cases in Malaysia, the food items were directly distributed to the homes. Not only that, some 100 selected underprivileged B40 students from St. Michael Ipoh Secondary School also received food rations and stationaries during a student welfare programme.
The project in Perak received funding from Member of Parliament of Sungai Siput, Hon. Kesavan Subramaniam.
“We are doing our best to provide essential food items to these deserving families. The people’s contribution can make a meaningful difference to their lives,” said Mr D. Letchumanan, Chairman of UPF Perak, who initiated the food drive in Ipoh.
In Selangor, Chairwoman of UPF Selangor, Mdm. Shanta Venugopal managed to raised food rations from the local community to assist 40 families in Rawang and Shah Alam. She said, “The pandemic has left people suffering out there. Food is love. When we share food and groceries with them, we are also sharing love, hope and kindness.”
Meanwhile in Penang, UPF Penang Chapter led by Chairman, Mr Alagesan Ayaru and his team, distributed 50 food packages to families in mainland Perai, Kepala Batas and areas in Penang Island. 50 packs of lunch were also given away to an elderly home in Penang. These projects were done in collaboration with the Charity Foundation Association of Penang (PKAPP)
UPF Johor Chapter, represented by Mr Albert Lee, supported the initiative designed by Majlis Perbandaran Johor Bahru (MPJB) and the Malaysian Red Crescent whereby tents were erected at Jalan Bukit Timbalan, Johor Bahru, for free food distribution to the needy.
“Many Johoreans have been hit hard after losing their jobs in Singapore since the pandemic. Some were even left homeless. We hope the food given will help to ease their financial burdens,” said Mr. Albert who gave away meals for 100 underprivileged families.
“A Circle of Light” is a nationwide humanitarian aid initiative launched by UPF Malaysia since 2020 to provide food rations and necessities to the underprivileged community. For more information on how you can contribute to our ongoing projects, please visit our official Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/ACircleOfLightMY