KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 15 (Sin Chew Daily) — Good Samaritans comprising hawkers and traders in Chow Kit area of Kuala Lumpur are making monthly contributions to raise funds for a number of charity projects.

News about groups and individuals needing help are shared in a WhatsApp group of close to a hundred members in Chow Kit area where funds would be raised for a specific charity project.

The group recently raised RM44,000 for a dialysis machine at Sang Riang Senior Citizen's Home in Triang, Pahang.

The group also responded to a donation drive initiated by Yayasan Sin Chew to raise RM13,000 in three hours for a 10-year-old boy in Sungai Petani, Kedah, who needs RM100,000 to undergo a liver transplant.

Kuala Lumpur Chow Kit Area Hawkers and Petty Traders Association chairman Lee Chick King said the fundraising project to buy a dialysis machine for Sang Riang Senior Citizen's Home was the largest so far.

To him, Sang Riang Senior Citizen's Home was special. Since its establishment in 2003, more than 200 old folks, including those who are disabled or suffering from dementia, mental illness and others, have been staying there.

Lee, an egg trader, said his egg charity sale in May and June last year raised RM14,653 for the home.

The home has 20 units of dialysis machines but only 15 units are still in good operating conditions.

Lee regarded his involvement in charity a blessing as cancer cells in his body disappeared after he was occupied with activities to raise the funds.

Pro-tem committee chairman Yang Jian Fa said the group planned to pool RM4,400 a month through a monthly subscription program but the target was achieved in just three months due to the large number of people supporting the charity project.

The group would deliver flyers and posters to encourage members of the public to contribute. Some have donated their profits to charity. 

Citing an example, Yang said banana trader Huang Jun Lun donated RM15,000 in three batches from the profits he made selling bananas.

Another generous trader Guo Yong Zong topped up with RM12,000 to meet the RM44,000 target while Ye Fu Yi donated a unit of air conditioner costing RM3,400 for the home.

The members in the group share the common goal of contributing to charity without expecting reward.