BEYOND their expectations, the Methodist Women of Wesley Methodist Church, Penang, raised an astonishing RM95,595 for a noble cause through the inaugural Carnival of Hope, a food fair held recently on the grounds of Wesley Methodist School Penang (International) or WMSPI.
At a simple Thanksgiving tea ceremony held at WMSPI today, Methodist Women’s counsellor Joan Lim and president Tan Saw Tin presented a mock cheque to WMSPI senior principal Lau Chong Beng to support the school’s fundraising efforts for two charitable organisations – House of Hope and Charis Hospice Penang.
With preparations underway for its third Harmony of Hope Christmas Concert 2025, WMSPI has set a fundraising target of RM100,000 for the concert, which will take place on Dec 13 at the WMSPI Multipurpose Hall.
Joan expressed her gratitude to her team for their months of sacrifice and dedication, with special mention to Theresa Suthen, creative consultant of SOZO Communications, who first approached them with the idea of supporting the Harmony of Hope Christmas Concert. The Methodist Women had initially set a modest target of RM30,000.
“We saw an opportunity to serve not just with words but with action. What began as a small fundraising effort grew into something greater than we imagined. It stirred hearts. The journey was not without challenges. There were moments of doubt and setbacks. Yet through every obstacle, we saw God’s faithfulness proven again and again.
“May our small act of obedience inspire something lasting in the hearts of WMSPI students and teachers. May they see that when we give of ourselves, God multiplies even the smallest act, transforming every effort and every prayer into something eternal,” Joan said.
Lau expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Methodist Women and SOZO Communications for their unwavering support towards the school’s charitable initiatives.
Reflecting on the origins of the concert, he shared that when the school opened in 2018, small groups of teachers and students would reach out to orphanages and homes to offer help.
“Three years ago, the school decided to do something bigger and more meaningful, to share the real meaning of Christmas with everyone. Our message is that Christmas is not just about Christmas trees, presents and the material aspects our society often emphasises. Christmas is when God gave us hope through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is why we named our first concert the Harmony of Hope — to bring hope to the community and to the nation,” Lau explained.
He added that all donations, ticket sales and 100 per cent of the proceeds from the concert would be channelled to the two charitable organisations.
“This is a community effort, and we want to thank all the churches and various organisations for playing a part in the fundraising project,” Lau said.
Charis Hospice Penang, which provides free home-based palliative care to patients with advanced, life-threatening illnesses, was the sole beneficiary of the inaugural concert in 2023. Founded in 2004 by medical director Dr Oo Loo Chan, Charis Hospice’s volunteer doctors, nurses, and counsellors offer medical, emotional and spiritual support to patients and their families, regardless of race or faith.
Last year’s concert proceeds were shared between Charis Hospice Penang and House of Hope, which provides food aid, financial support and educational assistance to low-income families, especially those in Air Itam.
Dr Oo, who was present at today’s cheque presentation, expressed her appreciation for the continued support extended to her organisation.
“I’m very encouraged by this community project undertaken by the school and its partners. In palliative care, hope can be difficult to define. Nonetheless, our challenge is to help patients and families rediscover what hope means in their circumstances,” she said.
Lau said this year’s annual concert, held under the theme ‘Blessed to be a Blessing’, aims to provide a meaningful platform for students and teachers to give back to the community.
He added that WMSPI strives not only for academic excellence but also places strong emphasis on character formation, instilling in students a sense of purpose and teaching them important values such as love, compassion and charity.
Through initiatives like the Harmony of Hope concert, he believes that WMSPI students, from kindergarten to secondary levels, are nurtured in leadership and volunteerism, empowering them to make a positive impact on society.
Also present at the ceremony were WMSPI consulting principal Julia Woo, WMSPI vice-principal Susan Tang, WMSPI registrar June Lo and SOZO Communications creative consultant Theresa Suthen.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of SOZO Communications