By Vincent D’Silva

JOHOR BARU: In less than two weeks from now, Muslims all over the world will begin their fast and inspired by the holy month of Ramadan, a resort has embarked on a project that gives meaning to the season with special initiatives for the orphans.

Ponderosa Gold & Country Resort (PGCR) began a project known as “Blanket For Joy” where it sponsors a day out for orphans at the resort.

This project, according to PGCR general manager Tan Kai Yang is to inculcate values of compassion and generosity towards the less fortunate among the young.

Tan said, “The first initiative involves encouraging staff and club members to buy rolls of cotton cloth at RM15, each measuring one metre in length, to sew children-sized patchwork quilts for 60 orphans.”

PGCR GM Tan Kai Yang

Tan stressed that the second is to start a collection of donations from the break fast buffet patrons for the Ramadan month which will go towards paying for the 60 orphans who will travel from Kluang to have a day of fun at PGCR in August.

“Muslims believe that during Ramadan, good deeds will meet with multiplication of rewards and therefore it is common practice that amidst abstinence through fasting, activities of giving to needy sections of local society become the forefront of intentions,” he said.

According to Tan, staff at PGCR under its staff club had initiated collections to purchase the first 20 rolls of cotton cloth.

The sewing of the patchwork quilts for the orphans, he said, will be undertaken by single mothers under MOMO Love Concept’s women empowerment programme.

Tan said the second initiative is a collaboration with Freemarket Johor.

He said there are many individual orphans under their watch and based remotely in Kluang with foster families and guardians, often overlooked by organisations when it comes to such invitations such as meals and trips.

He also stated that they are not housed together in one centre which is often more convenient to arrange.

Meanwhile ,Freemarket Johor will arrange for the children to gather and then transported by coach to PGCR on a day in August for outdoor games, a swim and then have a sumptuous lunch sponsored by the resort.

Tan made it clear that the sewn patchwork blankets will be a gift from the resort staff, club members and patrons to the 60 orphans when they come for the outing.

He added that PGCR is also on a drive to get young well-wishers such as children of its club members to design and write messages of care and encouragement on individual cards that will accompany the gifts of blankets to the orphans.

With Ramadan well underway, PGCR have taken the opportunity to spread positivity and support vulnerable communities during this period of time. Through their respective initiatives, the resort is also rallying Johoreans to come together this festive season and help those in need.

Both MOMO Love Concept and Freemarket Johor are Johor-based NGOs who were previous recipients of the Iskandar Malaysia Social Hero Awards (IMSHA).

Staff of the resort doing their bid in getting quilts for orphans