KUCHING: The funds raised by Unimas Malaysia Sarawak Women’s Association (Masnita) Charity Dinner on Saturday night are a welcome boost to their two recipients this year—Sarawak Heart Foundation and Kidney Association of Sarawak.
Each one of them would receive RM20,000.
Kidney Association of Sarawak is currently developing a much-needed centre for Kota Samarahan, said the Chief Minister’s wife and Masnita patron Datin Patinggi Datuk Jamilah Anu.
“We are currently talking to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) Malaysia, and I am willing to help in making this centre a reality,” she said at the dinner.
These are two respectable organisations that tirelessly work to ensure patients with medical complications are cared for, she added.
She congratulated Masnita for successfully raising funds for both organisations and for helping to promote and stimulate the sense of social responsibility.
“Raising funds for charity is neither an easy nor straightforward feat. Planning and deciding on what to do, who to approach, and to choose the best ways to win over people with your mission take great coordination and confidence in a team. Masnita did it for the love of the people.”
All acts of charity must have good intentions to keep donors coming back.
“Donors want to know where the money goes so they won’t mind contributing,” she said, pointing out that there were many ways to help, such as volunteering and partnering with relevant groups.
The guest of honour was Toh Puan Raghad Kurdi Taib, wife of the Yang Di-Pertua Negeri.
Also present were Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Datuk Rohani Karim, Masnita president Datin Kartini Ahmad, and Unimas Vice-Chancellor Prof Dato Dr Mohamad Kadim Suadi.
In her speech, Kartini said helping those in need was a matter close to Masnita’s heart.
“People often ask, `what is the reward for doing charity?’ Our answer is simple. The beaming faces of the children we met along the way are enough to let us know they know we care.”
The Masnita Charity Dinner themed ‘Night of Love and Hope’ also featured performances and fashion shows by Unimas lecturer Asrul Asshadi Mohamad Morni and three local fashion designers who call themselves TRIGA: Abdul Hafiz from Batekamek, Jaquita of Raden, and Dewi Khalid of Mastuli Khalid.