FROM natural disasters, global financial crisis, political drama right up to the stark knowledge that the planet continues to be convulsed by Covid-19, the world certainly needs an outpouring of generosity.
Has there ever been a better time to consider donating to a cause for the holidays?
Here, you'll find an array of organisations ready to put your contribution to good use, whether you're interested in supporting children's learning or the environment. You could even help a stray dog find its forever home during this festive season!
A few disclaimers: There are many worthy organisations deserving of support. The ones highlighted here are just a nudge in the right direction. Help them or find other causes closer to your heart — it's really up to you.
The world can often be a dark, scary place, but your generosity can provide light and hope. What better way to step into 2023 than to spread some love around?
YAYASAN CHOW KIT
YAYASAN Chow Kit (YCK) is a non-profit organisation catering to the needs of at-risk children living in and around Chow Kit in Kuala Lumpur. It runs two drop-in centres in the area — Pusat Aktiviti Kanak-Kanak which caters to children aged 7 to 12, and the Kuala Lumpur Krash Pad for those aged 13 to 21.
The two centres help children and teens learn skills so they can break away from the poverty cycle. There's also a safe home for children who are in need of temporary guardianship. All the YCK centres provide food, age-appropriate facilities and set of programmes designed based on the following five pillars: Education, Psycho-Social, Sports and Health, Spirituality and Recreational.
YCK aims to provide a safe space and expose the children to as many positive opportunities in order to enable each child to reach his/her full potential.
NEW YEAR WISHLIST
1. Help fund their new home. YCK is raising funds for their new space to accommodate the growing number of children under its care. The new building will provide a bigger space for children to play and learn, easier mobilisation of resources, and a safe environment to carry out developmental programmes.
2. Food aid programme for 100 families. YCK has been supporting 200 families with food aid since the Covid-19 pandemic began. At present, there are at least 100 families in need of continuous food support on a monthly basis. Cost per month is RM15,000.
3. Healthy warm meals for children. YCK feeds 100 children on a daily basis. With rising costs, it's becoming a challenge to sustain the healthy meal programme, which needs around RM250,000 per year.
For details, go to www.yck.org.my/donate/
PROJECT JANNAH
PROJECT Jannah was founded by a group of friends at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic (June 2021), when families were losing the ability to even feed themselves. The goal at the time was simple: create ripples of hope by coming together to distribute fresh food/financial/medical aid.
The team and goals have since grown. Their projects focus on breaking the poverty cycle through education, health and skills empowerment. They are strong believers of the idea that charity is a lifestyle.
From empowering struggling mothers to running their own businesses, running a tuition project for underprivileged teenagers, giving undocumented children the chance to dream again and helping stray animals, Project Jannah has just one aim in mind — making the world a better place.
NEW YEAR WISH LIST
1. Support from relevant bodies/authorities to expedite the process of obtaining a MyKad for Azrul, who's undocumented.
2. Football equipment (football boots, socks, jerseys, shin pads).
3. Sponsorship for athlete development expenses (medical, nutrition and transport).
4. Supplies of Nestle Health Nutren Diabetic Milk (400gm).
5. School bags for teens.
6. School uniforms for 15 to 17-year-olds.
7. Wet food/kibbles for cats and dogs.
For further details, go to
www.instagram.com/projectjannah.my or their website at www.projectjannah.my.
PERSATUAN PELINDUNG KHAZANAH ALAM (PEKA)
ESTABLISHED in 2010, Peka was formed with the vision to save the oldest rainforest with all its biodiversity from extinction, as part of the total living environment for people. Its mission is to be a force in ensuring the preservation, protection and conservation of the natural environment.
To date, Peka has planted more than 20,000 forest trees and aims to plant more throughout Malaysia. Through various green talks, events and programmes, it aims to communicate, educate and, hopefully, reconnect humans towith nature and the true meaning of life.
If you love your life and your loved ones, you must defend, protect and be the voice of nature. Get involved. Join them to help protect the Malaysian forest, its biodiversity and our indigenous people. #seenatureseelife!
NEW YEAR WISH LIST
1. Lend your voice and sign their petition in saying "NO!" to deforestation in Malaysia.
2. Join the organisation and be part of the growing group of nature lovers who are committed towards a greener nation.
3. Donate to their activities in protecting nature, wildlife and the indigenous people.
For details, go to www.pekamalaysia.org.
ECOTOURISM & CONSERVATION SOCIETY MALAYSIA (ECOMY)
ECOTOURISM & Conservation Society of Malaysia (Ecomy) was founded by leading naturalists and is working towards uniting conservation, communities and sustainable tourism, promoting greater understanding and appreciation for nature, local society and culture. Its strength is in local community engagement and development, as well as the training and promotion of local ecotourism and sustainable travel products.
Signature programmes include the training of local and Orang Asli guides, as well as naturalists in Kuala Tahan, Langkawi, Pangkor island and other small resort areas. It also develops community resilience and empowerment through the KampungKu — Gift of Solar Lights and KampungKu: Empowering Orang Asli Communities programmes.
Ecomy has also recently started a Sekulah Bateq, an early learning programme for 48 indigenous children between the ages of 3 and 17.
NEW YEAR WISH LIST
1. Meal and care packages for four Orang Asli villages along Sungai Tembeling — Kampung Kuala Atok, Kampung Teresik, Kampung Tabung and Kampung Dedari. This will benefit more than 190 people, including 55 per cent of children under the age of 15.
2. Funds to cover educational materials for 120 children and training for 24 Orang Asli youths, including two young ladies, 21-year-old Erra Amal anak Aming and 18-year-old Asmah anak Kumbang, to certify them as guides in the tourism industry.
3. Funds to support, up-skill and capacity-build 15 local Kuala Tahan youths as nature and tourist guides.
For details, go to www.ecomy.org.
PAWTARIAN
PAWTARIAN is an organisation dedicated to improving the wellbeing of street dogs through rescue and re-homing initiatives, whilst managing the population in a humane way and preventing animal cruelty in Malaysia through Trap-Neuter-Release-Manage (TNRM) programmes.
Pawtarian has been at the forefront, influencing policy in relation to animals and playing a vital role in making a significant change in the lives of animals and people alike. Pawtarian runs an adoption centre with 23 adoptable dogs/puppies and a holding ground with 32 dogs and 12 cats. It doesn't believe in running a shelter as housing a street dog in an animal shelter isn't a permanent or viable solution.
It believes that most street dogs belong to the community and should be enjoying a free life as long as they have people to care for them and provide food, whilst ensuring that they're not subject to cruelty or disease.
Through their adoption drive, they have successfully re-homed 400+ puppies and dogs. The drive draws dog lovers from both near and far, matching homeless puppies and adult canines with suitable, loving families.
NEW YEAR WISH LIST
1. Help defray their medical expenses. Pawtarian covers the cost of vaccinations, spaying/neutering and de-worming. The cost of treating dogs with injuries and diseases are also borne by the organisation.
2. Lend your voice to Pawtarian by saying "NO" to puppy mills and backyard breeding. Adopt from them and help give the puppies a chance. #adoptdontshop.
3. Donate to fund its new centre. They're relocating and, as such, are currently raising funds for their new premises and any necessary renovations it will incur.
4. Support by buying their merchandise to support their TNRM efforts.
5. They need the following basic supplies for dogs and rescues:
a. 20 rice bags
b. Three BFF dog kibbles
c. Three Nexgard (for dogs weighing 10-25kg)
d. Three maggot sprays
For information, go to www.instagram.com/pawtarian.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTRE (GEC)
THE Global Environment Centre (GEC) was established in 1998 to work on environmental issues of global importance. The non-governmental organisation is focused on bringing together all parties — individuals, communities, corporations and other like-minded organisations — to foster lasting change for environmental benefits.
The ultimate dream of GEC is to be able to play an integral role in shaping the future and delivering a sustainable future. They're passionate not only about what they do, but how they do it!
GEC's core programmes include Forest and Peatland, River Care as well as Outreach and Partnerships.
RIVER CARE: To promote integrated management of rivers and water resources with focus on community participation, biodiversity conservation and nature-based solutions;
FOREST & COASTAL: Promote and support the protection, integrated management and sustainable use of forests and coastal resources with participatory approach to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change;
PEATLAND: To promote sustainable conservation of peatland and their use through multi-stakeholder partnerships in ecosystem restoration and climate change mitigation; and
OUTREACH & PARTNERSHIP: To enhance awareness, capacity and action, as well as promote sustainable partnerships between different organisations and sectors to safeguard the environment.
GEC's mission is to support the protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources to meet local, regional and global needs through strategic partnerships with communities and like-minded organisations.
NEW YEAR WISH LIST
1. Join GEC's monthly tree-planting programme at the Raja Muda and Kuala Langat Forest Reserves.
2. Donate towards supporting the community in rehabilitation efforts. This includes enrichment planting, building a community-based patrolling team and canal blocking to raise the water table to prevent fires.
3. Donate towards empowering local communities by providing them with sustainable livelihoods that include creating business opportunities for nature-based products.
For details, go to www.gec.org.my.