21 June 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-
On 8th of June, 770 people attended the first ‘An Evening of Hope’ Charity Gala Dinner at the Sunway Resort Hotel & Spa, organized by Living HOPE. This year is the 7th anniversary of Living Hope since its inception on June 2007.
Living HOPE is a non-profit organization that has helped 39,510 poor, needy, and marginalized children living in Malaysia and also for children ages of 3 to 12 years old and 26 indigenous tribes.
Their programs included ‘One-Egg-One-Child’ Feeding Program, ‘Educate-A-Child’ Program, ‘Channel of Hope’ Distribution Program, Festivities-On-Wheels, and also other special events.
Up to date, they have established 96 Mini Toy and Book Libraries and four Education Resource Centre across Malaysia.
The event started with Kids Agency casting a delightful singing performance and a drama about a poor student who found hope in continuing his education in school through Living HOPE.
Next, Dr Peggy Wong—Chairman and Founder of Living HOPE—gave a thanksgiving speech for the people who have volunteered for the children in need, with their time, talent or treasures.
She thanked her spiritual mentor Dr Chew Weng Chee, Sr Pr of SIB KL for encouraging her to start Living HOPE locally and internationally.
“Dr Chew is the first person I ever spoke to regarding my calling to serve the poor, needy, and marginalized children. He said to me, ‘Peggy, you can’t go wrong; you are helping children, because children are the heartbeat of God irrespective of race and religion,’” said Dr Peggy.
Her heart burdened for the children (especially for those below 12 years old) because if they did not receive proper education in school, these children would grow up taking low-paying jobs and become prime targets for bullying.
“Many people asked me, ‘Why children?’ My heart goes out for children because if we don’t help them, who is going to help them? And look at these children. They are so vulnerable.
“The minute the family is poor, they are the first to be taken out to work. And the minute they start working, that’s the beginning of a vicious cycle of poverty from one generation to the next,” said Dr Peggy.
Mr KM Wong, headmaster of SRJKC Papan in Perak came on-stage to thank Dr Peggy for championing the fund-raising program for the school upon seeing its dilapidated condition. In building a two-storey Education Resource Centre (ERC), Living HOPE has successfully raised RM280,000 for a counseling/multipurpose room, a computer lab, a canteen, and a toy and book library. After the completion of the ERC, Living HOPE raised another RM70,000 to refurbish the school into a conducive and safe environment for the children to study.
The charity gala dinner sees a memorable performance by international-performing violinist Dr Joanne Yeoh, award-winning Elvis Presley impersonator HT Long, and our homegrown mighty opera-performers T4C.
Finally, the highlight of the dinner is Carven Ong’s Fashion Show with beauty queens, which included International Model Amber Chia, Miss Universe Malaysia 2014 Sabrina Beneett, Miss World Malaysia 2013 Melinder Bhullar, Miss Tourism International 2012 Gabriella Robinson, Miss World Malaysia 2011 Chloe Chen, Miss World Malaysia First Runner Up 2008 Cindy Chen, Miss Malaysia Asia Pacific 2006 and actress Aenie Wong, and Elite Model of the Year Look 2002 Karmen Khor.
Interspersed with lucky draws and charity auction of paintings drawn by notable ‘koi fish’ painter Tommy Chen, the gala dinner reminded the guests that they made a difference in a child’s life.
Would you like to volunteer your time, talent or treasures to help the children of Living HOPE?
Visit http://livinghopemalaysia.com/
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