Stories of Life: James Ho, the ‘Charity Man’ of Johor Bahru

Aug 06, 2015

By Vincent D’Silva
A man with a fatherly disposition and well-loved by the various communities and the Catholic Church for his outreach to the poor, aged, underprivileged and the disabled is still carrying on his mission and not wanting to give up, despite his age.

Known to most Johoreans as the ‘Mr Charity Man,’ James Ho, 62, a devout Catholic, never negates his task when it comes to providing assistance to the poor and the underprivileged.

James, a general manager in a company has been sacrificing his time providing any form of help to the needy and poor.

He considers doing this for his love for the poor and needy. Whenever he is approached James is ever willing to assist. The response of a ‘No’ has never arisen in his dictionary.

At an age when most men would be spending their retirement with their families, James has taken a different direction to reach out to the deprived.

Over the years, James, who formed the Suria Welfare Foundation of Permas Jaya (registered under the Registrar of Societies RoS, the Ministry of Home Affairs) has been assisting many charitable organizations, churches, AIDS Ministry, the St Vincent de Paul (SSVP), and even NGOs.

His organization has also helped flood victims, poor families and needy pupils. He says, “Even though we are an infant (barely three years old), we brought along with us some 20 years of experience helping the poor and marginalized.”

“Given a chance,” he says, “watch us grow for we are treading on ‘a road less travelled,’ venturing into territories where few others dare to go.”

He pointed out that it is common that Foundations are set up by big multinationals and public listed companies as they have the means to do so.

However, James said, as a small group of individuals, they have the courage and conviction to spearhead their own initiative in setting up a foundation by “doing little things in small ways with love.”

James’s foundation has also delivered financial aid to patients in need of critical medical surgeries, adding that “our priority is to help those in need of major operations.” James had even, on a number of occasions, shaved his head bald — all for the sake of assisting charitable bodies.

“I am prepared to go bald once again if any orphanage or underprivileged home needs help,” he said with a smile.

James is prepared to go the extra mile once again for any worthy cause. “My love for the poor, underprivileged children and families is always top on the agenda,” he stressed.

Whenever approached by any organization, James who is also the secretary of the Suria Welfare Foundation of Permas Jaya, then gets his task on the go. He is also the founder of this organization and has helmed the post of chairman for two years.

Many charitable organizations and churches have benefitted from James’s assistance is raising funds for them.

He says, “Our life on this earth is very short. Let us do some good deed to mankind during this period.”

A number of rural and poor schools have received financial help from James’s organization.

“I remember charitable bodies knocking on my door, seeking my assistance. They know that I am able to assist them in their charitable run,” he said.

According to James, whenever he gives a helping hand, he never seeks reward or recognition. “I do it for self-satisfaction.”

“Whenever churches need to raise funds, I would always provide a helping hand,” he said.

He said, “I believe Christ is there watching and he is my backbone all the while. And, therefore, I am able to carry out my task without fail.”

This septuagenarian will carry on as long as charitable bodies, NGOs, or even churches require his services. “I feel this is my contribution to society.”