• A volunteer delivers a care package to a family as part of the partnership programme between Ismaili CIVIC and Yayasan Chow Kit in Malaysia.
    The Ismaili | 15 April 2020 | Global

    Ismaili community in Malaysia works with local organisation to support families

    A volunteer delivers a care package to a family as part of the partnership programme between Ismaili CIVIC and Yayasan Chow Kit in Malaysia. Photo: The Ismaili

Sixty Kuala Lumpur families in need were recently provided with much-needed care packages thanks to the Ismaili community in Malaysia working in partnership with Yayasan Chow Kit (YCK), a 24-hour crisis and drop-in centre.

The provisions, which included rice, oil, eggs, sugar, and other sundry items were provided to YCK over two days during the current Nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) imposed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The undertaking was part of the Ismaili CIVIC initiative and aimed to assist families during this time of economic difficulty.

The beneficiaries supported by YCK are primarily families of vulnerable young people who are unemployed or at risk of exclusion. YCK provides support services ranging from education, counselling, and employment as well as shelter or foster care. In coordination with local market provider Pak Grocer, provisions were packed and delivered to the families.

“There are those who give with joy and that joy is their reward. Our heartfelt gratitude to Ismaili CIVIC for their generosity and always providing for our children and families in need during these difficult times,” said Dato Dr Hartini Zainudin, founder of Yayasan Chow Kit.

“I am grateful for this contribution as our current supplies would have run out by tomorrow. It is such a relief for us,” said Faridah, a recipient at YCK. Another recipient, Salmah Achmad, added, “I want to express my thanks to our donors. This lightens our burden especially in this current difficult condition.”

The global Covid-19 health situation has impacted multiple sectors of society in numerous ways; collectively these two institutions are working to support susceptible families and provide hope to many. Malaysia announced an MCO on 18 March in response to the increased number of Covid-19 cases. The MCO has since been extended until 28 April.

“This is part of our Muslim ethic. We are honoured to contribute to the wider Malaysian society by working with our long-term partner, Yayasan Chow Kit. We have high regard for their efforts, and look forward to many additional opportunities to support this initiative and many others,” said Azmin Saduruddin, Vice President of the Ismaili Council for the Far East. “The youth being supported by YCK are the future of Malaysia,” he said.