Kg Simee Old Folks Home’s Family Day and Food Fair

Spreading the joy of Easter and Christ’s resurrection for the old folk at the Kg Simee (Catholic Welfare Services) home for the Aged on May 4 brought together Catholics and non-Catholics from all over Ipoh.

May 16, 2014

IPOH (Herald Malaysia): Spreading the joy of Easter and Christ’s resurrection for the old folk at the Kg Simee (Catholic Welfare Services) home for the Aged on May 4 brought together Catholics and non-Catholics from all over Ipoh.

The occasion was the yearly Family Day Food fair, and some forty stalls were set up, with volunteers and donors also from the three parishes in Ipoh — St Michael’s, Our Lady of Lourdes and Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

First-timers, Joseph Wah, a Catholic, and his wife Alice Loh, a non-Christian were there to lend their support.

Alice, a retired administrative worker, said she has learned much from her Catholic husband, in terms of giving to others.

“It’s truly been a blessing for us to know how many people we can help. Besides, I have learnt a lot too,” she said, adding that her husband taught her to play the keyboard.

“Before this, it was always working for a living, but now with my four children grown up, it’s good to leave my comfort zone and give back to the community.

“Along the way, we also have bonded and grown closer as a couple,” she added.

Instead of powering her way through paper work, she now gives her musical talents on the keyboard, providing musical entertainment with her husband Joseph, 68, on the guitar for the aged in the homes.

“I’ve been playing the guitar since I was thirteen, and it feels good to give something to others,” Joseph said.

He never thinks of age as a stumbling block, having been involved in scuba diving before forming the AJ band with his wife three years ago.

The couple performed free for the Home for the Aged at the food fair and Joseph’s excellent voice provided a delightful and soothing medley of songs to the crowd.

Their rendition of evergreens added that much joy to the residents, giving them a day to remember.

Many others who came to patronize the stalls, bought food for the Home’s residents and chatted with them, taking time to learn a little about them.

Among the VIPs who came was Bishop Sebastian Francis, Patron of the Home Dato Chang Ko Youn, who officially opened the Food fair, Perak Director of Welfare Services Dato Chong Phaik Kee, deputy director (community services) Raja Khalid Raja Ahmad, the Home’s manager, Vincent Lee and Helen Lai, its administrator.

In his speech, Bishop Sebastian thanked everyone who came in support of the Home, and those who had provided help in one way or another towards helping the Home.

Dato Chang, in his speech, said it was a privilege for him to have worked with the Home for over 20 years.

Having seen the Home grow in size over the years, it was even more wonderful to know that the Home always admitted deserving and needy residents without any payment.

“I hope the people of Ipoh will continue their support of this Home.

“It is because of the planning of the staff that we are able to see the Home running smoothly,” he said.

He noted there were also people of many religions working together, to help the residents through donations and help at the Fair.

“It is in such circumstances when I see Malaysians working together, in peace and tolerance, that I am reminded of how attempts to introduce Hudud Law in the country can jeopardize such harmony,” he said.

At the end of his speech, 86-yr-old Joachim Ho Yew Wong presented a fruit basket to Dato Chang as a token of appreciation.

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