Great Heart Charity Association (GHCA) organised two food aid distribution sessions in Tondo, Manila, Philippines as part of its Overseas Union Charity Program. The sessions saw 650 underprivileged local villagers consisting of both adults and children receiving food aid and daily groceries. 50 volunteers from Malaysia, South Korea, Singapore, and the Philippines joined hands together with various local ethnic and religious groups to make the program a success.
Main organiser, GHCA co-Founder and Secretary, Ric See Swee Poh, said that there is no distinguishing between nationalities, skin colours, religious groups, and ages when it comes to charity. “Each overseas charity campaigns held will bridge the gap between different communities. A smile would bring everyone together even if we have language barriers,” Ric further elaborated, while thanking all the volunteers who were present in both sessions to help out in the food aid distribution.
A collaboration between GHCA, Taishan Global Solution, and Project Pearls, the first session was held at Scoulla Della Gioia Red Day Care, Tondo, while the second distribution session was held at Baseco area of Tondo.
At Scoulla Della Gioia Red Day Care, 350 beneficiaries received food aid consisting lunch meals, biscuits, noodles, and dried food. Being in Tondo, which is considered the biggest slum in Manila, most of the vulnerable groups there make a living by scavenging recyclable resources at dump sites.
Meanwhile, at Baseco, 300 beneficiaries received daily necessities consisting of water buckets, rice, noodles, biscuits, canned foods, and breads. In poverty-stricken Baseco, local men would mostly be engaged in charcoal production whereas women typically harvest garlic to make a living. Most of the locals are of low-income salary and has an average of 3 children per family.
First time Overseas Union Charity Program participant and GHCA volunteer, Tan Mew Wai, commented her gratefulness for the opportunity to personally lend a hand helping to these underprivileged groups. “Despite their harsh lifestyle, the locals are full of smiles and friendly faces, and are not embarrassed to welcome us just because of their extreme poverty condition,” said Tan further.
Since launching the Overseas Union Charity Program in 2012, GHCA President, Franky See Swee Choy said that in addition to helping disadvantaged groups in Malaysia, GHCA also hopes to see cooperation between overseas non-profit organisations, various agencies, and enthusiastic corporate groups that will help contribute towards charitable programs for vulnerable groups without border.
GHCA’s Overseas Union Charity Program is privately funded by volunteers and participants of the program and are being held annually at Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Activities conducted include distribution sessions of food aid, daily necessities, reading materials, cleaning and painting tools, as well as setting up computer labs and playground.
