THE Penang Care Society (PgCare Society) has come forward to provide some assistance to a family whose house was partially crushed by a fallen tree due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms recently.
PgCare Society pro tem committee chairman Dr Ngoo Seong Boon said the organisation today contributed RM500 cash to the family at their affected house at Kampung Batu Maung in Batu Maung today.
“When we first know about the incident that happened on Feb 17, we immediately called the Batu Maung and Bayan Baru service centres to inform them about the incident. And they did come to help the family.
“We also called the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), Malaysian Civil Defence Force (APM) and some volunteers to help clear the fallen tree.
“This is also part of our responsibility besides focusing on Covid-19.
“It is hoped that with the cash aid given today, it can help them in the house repair.
“After all, we want to ensure that the family can return to their normal life as soon as possible,” Dr Ngoo told Buletin Mutiara during his visit today.
Also present were PgCare Society pro tem committee vice-chairman Chong Soon Kheng, PgCare Society pro tem committee secretary Cefinny Teh Jin Pei and Batu Maung assemblyman Datuk Abdul Halim Hussain representative T.H. Ding.
One of the family members, Haslinda Ramli, 43, thanked the PgCare Society for their much-needed help.
“This is the first time we are facing this kind of situation after living here for more than 20 years.
“It was at 1am when I heard a very loud noise in my kitchen and I thought it was a thunderstorm. But when I went to the kitchen, I realised it was a fallen tree that crushed the roof and my kitchen.
“My mother is still traumatised over this incident. But, I am glad that PgCare Society, Batu Maung and Bayan Baru service centres, MBPP, APM and many others quickly came to the rescue.
“They helped clear the fallen tree and also provide some assistance for my family. And I am truly grateful for that,” she said.
PgCare Society (formerly known as PgCare Alliance), is an alliance of like-minded non-governmental organisations (NGOs), institutions, and individuals. It was formed on July 16 last year to address the short and long-term needs related to mental health, food aid and employment, which have been aggravated by Covid-19.
PgCare Society also will start another new pillar to assist on the natural disaster. For those who are seeking for help, please contact 04-2910123 and those would like to donate to the victims, can bank in to Public Bank Berhad account number 3228383118.
Story and pix by Riadz Akmal