BAHAU: A total of 20 residents at Kampung Ladang Geddes—including the elderly living alone and families struggling to make ends meet—have since received financial assistance from a charitable fund established by philanthropist Lee Guan Sheng.

The sum may not be large, but for those who have little, each contribution represents a lifeline—a timely gesture of compassion that restores hope.

It has been 10 long months since the small community of Kampung Ladang Geddes in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, felt the help extended by Lee.

Although Lee no longer lives in Kampung Ladang Geddes today, the village where he was born and raised remains close to his heart.

It is where his childhood unfolded, leaving behind memories of laughter and tears, of youthful dreams and humble beginnings.

More than 50 years after leaving the place, Lee has built a successful life and family in Kuala Lumpur. Yet his deep affection for his hometown never fades.

In recent years, he purchased 10 acres of land in Ladang Geddes to cultivate premium durians.

Nearby, he bought and restored an old English-style mansion, transforming it into “Geddes Mansion”—now one of the village’s most distinctive landmarks.

In July last year, Lee fulfilled a long-cherished wish: to set up a charitable fund exclusively for the people of Ladang Geddes.

His act of generosity reflects both his gratitude to his roots and his enduring concern for those who continue to call the village home.

Each recipient of the fund receives RM300 every four months, or a total of RM900 per year, directly credited to their bank accounts.

Among the 20 beneficiaries, 10 are elderly individuals living alone without family support.

The selection criteria are simple and compassionate—whether married or single, anyone facing hardship can be considered for assistance.

A volunteer recalled how she and her husband were tasked with identifying potential recipients.

With a list provided by former village head Phua Er Cheng, the couple went door-to-door to assess each person’s living conditions.

“One visit I’ll never forget was a man suffering from colon cancer. Wearing a urine bag, he greeted us with a faint smile. Beside him, his wife kept massaging her knee, saying the pain was so bad she could hardly stand,” said the volunteer.

When some of the recipients later thanked her for the aid, the volunteer reminded them that the real person to thank was Lee Guan Sheng, whose kindness made their relief possible.

From poverty to prosperity, and back to giving

Now 77 and still energetic, Lee’s life story reads like a testament to perseverance.

He was born into a poor family—his father sold pork on a motorcycle, and his mother sold vegetables in the market.

By the age of 10, Lee was already helping them and learning the basics of trade and hard work.

After completing secondary school, he worked as a clerk before venturing into business at 20, supplying sundries to logging camps in Gemas and Triang.

In 1970, he entered the logging industry, where, through diligence and good fortune, he earned his first fortune within six years.

Then, disaster struck. In 1982, a bad investment caused his business empire to collapse overnight, leaving him in debt.

Refusing to give up, Lee switched to the finance industry, where he set up his own consultancy firm. It took four years of relentless effort to pay off his debts and rebuild his life.

By 1986, he had returned to logging, regained his footing, and achieved even greater success.

Six years later, in 1992, he made another bold move—this time into the oil palm industry, where he established a new business empire.

Lee’s story is one of resilience and faith. He endured setbacks, overcame failures, and rose again—stronger each time.

He often says he learned to “find a ray of light in the darkest moments,” a belief that has guided his lifelong commitment to helping others in need.

A gift that changed a girl’s future

Though now based in Kuala Lumpur, Lee remains actively involved in community service.

He serves as the honorary advisor to the Kuala Lumpur-Selangor (Bahau) Chi Wen Alumni Association and has long donated to schools and disadvantaged individuals through its network.

During the pandemic, he contributed RM100,000 to assist underprivileged groups in Bahau and Rembau.

One act of generosity, in particular, left a lasting impact.

In 2021, Wong Yoke Har, a young girl from Air Hitam New Village in Bahau, faced the prospect of dropping out of school.

Her mother was ill and required medical treatment, while her father’s modest earnings as a rubber tapper barely sustained their three children.

Moved by her situation, Lee pledged to cover her five years of secondary school fees, contributing RM350 per month.

His kindness did not only lift the family’s burden but also opened a door to a brighter future for the young girl.

Lee’s long-time neighbor Wong Sow Kwan, 80, remembers him fondly.

“He never forgets his roots,” she said.

“Whenever he returns, he gives me money to buy food, and during festivals he brings gifts so my daughters and I can celebrate. We feel his care,” she said.

For years, during every major celebration, Lee drives from Kuala Lumpur to his old hometown. The long journey never deters him. His sincerity and humility have touched every corner of the village.

Word of his kindness has spread—from one neighbor to another, from one generation to the next.

Today, Lee ’s name is spoken in Ladang Geddes not just with respect, but with heartfelt affection.