Homelessness is a rising issue in the local community of Miri.
WHEN a random person needs help, how many will unhesitatingly reach out with a helping hand?
How far is one prepared to go to help out and how much will one give?
For two friends, Kelvin Chang and Nelson Wong, these questions spring to mind when they think of the plight of the poor or come across the homeless living rough on the streets.
Empathising with the hardship of these destitute people, the duo have decided to do whatever they can to make life better for them — all out of their own pocket.
“When I see homeless, random children lingering on the streets without parents or guardians or just an old person who could use a helping hand, I just can’t ignore them. I will try to help in any possible way I can,” Chang told thesundaypost.
Inspired by Datuk Sebastian Ting, known for his generosity and kindness, Chang said the Piasau assemblyman had inculcated a public-spirited attitude in a lot of people.
While others may construe the example Ting set as political gimmick, Chang described the elected rep from Miri as a good, compassionate friend who constantly looks out for others.
Wong speaking to a woman who lives in a hut.
Without discrimination
More than three years ago, Chang and Wong decided to form their own voluntary group – Voluntary Rescue Team (VRT) – to help the poor, the sick and the homeless.
The volunteers would drive around and randomly stop when they noticed someone who could use a little help.
“We started with our own money, buying food and basic necessities for the poor. Slowly, our friends and acquaintances took note and chipped in,” Chang said, adding that kind-hearted strangers also donated rice and used clothes.
Cash donations vary according to the ability to give but Chang stressed “it doesn’t really matter – it’s the thought that counts.”
The duo have also opened a bank account to separate cash donations from other expenses.
Chang noted that while handing out money tended to be easier, the downside was that the money could be used for something else such as illegally gambling or drugs.
To avoid this, he and Wong are holding to their principle to donate only food, kitchen stuff and basic necessities. They are confident it’s the most effective way to ensure help reaches the targeted groups.
“We have received calls from people we helped before, asking for money. We explained to them we’re only citizens trying to help other citizens and we don’t have a lot of money to give as our resources are limited. Some understand, others not so much,” they revealed.
Recipients who find donated clothes not fitting usually chuck them away – much to the dismay of.
While it’s common to judge people by appearance, Chang makes sure he is not influenced in this way as he wants to focus on helping those who deserve to be helped.
“Many times, we came across a physically-challenged person lingering by the roadside or some kids idling at the market.
“We asked around about them and their family backgrounds. It often turned out their families did not want help. Despite checking with the Welfare Department, it was still something not easy to solve.
“Usually, we try to avoid cases with complicated backgrounds. This is our boundary as we’re only individuals who want to share some love and care in our community.”
Wong (right) handing a bag of rice to a poor family.
They have good reasons to let their heads rule their hearts on such matters because things are not always what they seem.
Chang recalled when he and Wong first contributed food and clothes, they were told the would-be recipients were poor people needing extra sustenance.
To make up for the supposed shortfall, they went out and bought more things, including rice, sugar and salt and even clothing, for the whole family.
However, to their surprise, they found the recipients living in a concrete house with satellite TV and a couple of cars parked on the porch.
Though upset at not being told the truth, they still handed over the donations because they believe a promise made is a promise kept.
“Since then, we would do a bit of background check to ensure we are helping people genuinely in need,” Chang said.
Teach — not give
Self-employed and with families to look after, the duo do charity at their own time and pace.
Assistance from VRT usually stops after the second contribution.
The rest will be handed over to the relevant agency to follow up.
Wong explained: “We’re volunteers who try to ease the burden of the poor with some contributions of food and clothes.
“At the same time, we try to understand what is causing their circumstances and what can be done for them over the long term.
“Usually, we try to get some personal details from them to counter-check with the Welfare Department, and from there on, it’s either financial or some other physical help.”
There are times the beneficiaries are curious to know who “these kind strangers” are.
Often, they thought Chang and Wong were government people and would lament in front of them about the difficulties in applying for financial assistance.
“It’s not our place to comment. We’re just trying to make life easier for the under-privileged,” Wong noted.
They have lost count of their trips to government departments to help random people who have applied for financial and other reliefs.
Both feel strongly education is very important in making huge changes to the community, especially the lives of the poor.
“A lot of them don’t understand how things work — where should they go and who to look for. Even if we explained the procedure to them, we often ended up doing everything for them because they couldn’t understand.”
Although the plight of the poor should not be overlooked, a background check is helpful to ensure help gets to those genuinely in need.
Issue of homelessness
Wong noted the issue of homelessness is rising in Miri and should not be ignored.
As they have discovered from their encounters with the homeless around Miri, psychological and family problems tend to be the contributing factors.
One problem can lead to another — those using drugs can be suffering from distress and anxiety. There could be other factors we may not know or understand.
“We have reported to the authorities many times, urging them to look into the problem of the homeless in hope of alleviating their plight. As it turned out there’s no such help.
“Still, we try our best to acknowledge to the authorities that the issue of homelessness is rising in Miri,” Wong said.
There are many good Samaritans in Miri, handing out food and trying to make life more comfortable for the poor.
Towards this end, the one advice Chang and Wong wish the share is this — Help only within your own capacity.
According to them, it’s always advisable to think carefully before offering help, and more practical to donate in kind than in cash.
As VRT’s reputation grows, it frequently receives anonymous calls from peninsula Malaysia, hoping to get monetary assistance.
They ignore such calls most of the time because they do not know the real situation and their resources are also limited.
“We make it clear we will only help people we can reach physically and see them for ourselves – plus, of course, a bit of background check,” Chang said.
With experience, they have learnt to be more cautious. Helping only those who want to help themselves is also a lesson learnt.
It saddens them to find children whose parents turn down help from well-wishers and even the government.
“I believe they have their reason — perhaps, because of pride. Whatever it is, we let them make their own choice,” Chang added.
Recipients who find donated clothes not fitting usually chuck them away – much to the dismay of the volunteers.
There were also times the duo would ask why the children were not attending school but left to their own device.
“The excuses given were sometimes hard to accept. But what can we do if they don’t want to help themselves and work for a better life.”
Both stressed that living on handouts and taking things for granted were traits that should not be tolerated.
There have been instances where recipients of donated clothes would pick and choose, keeping the items they found fitting and throwing away those slightly big or small with nary a care for the kind thoughts that had made the donations possible.
The duo who do not hold with such nit-picking, said as if that was not enough, those who dumped the clothes frequently called them to ask for more money.
“We feel helpless when we meet this kind of people. It’s most upsetting but we try not to let it put us down in reaching out to the community. We have set a rule that they return the remaining clothes if they don’t want to use them.
“Perhaps, there will be a day where we have had enough of all this but till then, we will do our best to help random people out there.”
Apart from the voluntary rescue team, Chang and Wong are also actively involved in many other voluntary bodies such as RELA and the neighbourhood committee (KRT) to do their part in contributing to the community.