After two years of social distancing, the annual celebration organised by Iskandar Malaysia Hero Awards (IMSHA) winner, Yayasan Kebajikan Suria JB (YKSJB) for children of three different homes finally took place physically this year.
One hundred children and their caretakers together with volunteers flocked to KFC in Setia Tropika to enjoy the famous Malaysian families’ celebratory chicken dinner. The children came from Pusat Asuhan Kanak-Kanak Seri Saujana in Stulang, Pusat Jagaan Syukur Hati in Ulu Tiram and Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Miskin dan Orang-orang Tua Santhia, Johor Bahru in Masai.
These homes reached out to YKSJB for basic necessities such as groceries and refrigerators to store food and keep them fresh. According to YKSJB founder and CEO, James Ho, he sometimes sends hot meals to the home that was prepared by single mothers to create a sustainable and charitable ecosystem where the money spent goes back to the needy.
Pusat Asuhan Kanak-Kanak Seri Saujana’s (Seri Saujana Child Care Centre) matron, Siti Sariah binti Haji Sariman is a home that houses 15 kids with 10 of them attended the celebration. She told The Iskandarian that the purpose of her opening the home is to encourage needy kids to stay in school in order to succeed later in life. A veteran in charity who opened in 2001, she has used her network to help children obtain birth certificates to help ease their access to education as well.
Meanwhile, Pusat Jagaan Syukur Hati (Syukur Hati Care Centre) was founded together by Ong Soo Peng and her husband, Francis Voon, known best by the children of their home as Teacher Ong and Uncle Francis, in 2016. They started out with free tuition for children who could not afford it which then extended to help needy families care for their children when their parents are away for work. Ong said that although these children have parents but they are unable to provide for them and this is where the home came to help.
As for Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Miskin dan Orang-orang Tua Santhia (Santhia’s Association of Homes for Poor Children and Senior Citizen) founded by Saraswathi Munusamy, the home takes care of children as young as 1 year old to senior citizens aged 70 years old. Yogeswary, a caretaker of the home told The Iskandarian that all 29 of them came together and the children were excited to know they are having KFC as their meal. It appears that the home also takes care of handicapped and mentally disabled people.
James Ho said the annual celebration was also supported by Wall’s Ice Cream where the confectionery company prepared goodie bags for each child. The children also received red packets and stationery sets both worth RM4000 combined.
Donations, aids and sponsors that are interested to connect with any of the homes may get in touch with James by calling or WhatsApp him at 019-772 4172 or emailing them at yayasanksuriajb@gmail.com. The foundation’s previous charity activities could be viewed on their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/YayasanKebajikanSuriaKawasanPermasJB
 winner, Yayasan Kebajikan Suria JB (YKSJB) for children of three different homes finally took place physically this year. ){kind=link}