JOHOR BAHRU: The holy month of Ramadan and the upcoming Hari Raya festivities are often hardest felt on the poor, who struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis.

The Rotary Club of Johor Straits View (RCJSV) wanted to show compassion for the needy and less fortunate.

They decided to provide rations to some 30 families residing at (PPR) Sri Stulang flats comprising of single mothers, B40 groups and those who have been stricken by poverty and hunger. Also included were five Chinese and five Indian families.

RCJSV incoming president Brian Kuek Chek Chin said Ramadan is a chance for us to empathise with those whose daily lives are the hardest – so we decided to be more charitable towards them and strategise long-term poverty eradication programmes for them.

He said a number of poor families are finding it hard to make ends meet. The escalating costs of living today, causing urban poverty to remain a worrying problem.

“The shrinking ringgit and growing inflation have hit the pockets of Malaysians, and while the cost of living is constantly going up, our standard of living has been adversely affected,” he said.

Brian said his club is under no illusion that what they provided to the 30 families is a panacea for their poverty.

He stressed that RCJSV will always extend their hands to help people who are in dire straits.

“It has been RCJSV’s tradition to give our support to the underprivileged especially during the month of Ramadan. We hope this can bring some happiness and sense of love and belonging to these families,” he said.

He said as the holy month of Ramadan is a time for reflection on faith, family and greater compassion and kindness towards others, we are humbled and pleased to be able to contribute to the less fortunate and also spread the Raya joy.

Speaking during the handover of groceries, Brian said the initiation was in line with the humanitarian goals of the club.

“As Malaysia moves forward in this new normal, Ramadan gives us time to reflect and give thanks,” he explained.

“RCJSV has been donating to the less fortunate and hopes to continue our purpose to serve, to be compassionate and possess the will to help others in dire straits,” he stressed.

The club, he says believes in the importance of sharing their good fortune with others who are less fortunate and hopes to bring some cheer into their lives with these sort of activities.

Meanwhile RCJSV is being true to its mission of positively impacting the lives of single mothers, the B40 group and the penurious.

At a time when many of the single mothers are facing arduous challenges due to the unfavourable economy, the RCJSV has stepped in to ease conditions for them.

All these mothers are dependent on their meager incomes to meet their day-to-day requirements and have been confined to their homes because of their young ones. Many were working as domestic help and some are currently unemployed as their employers have taken in foreign workers.

Single mother Fatimah Omar, 61, has three children and her husband passed away one year ago.

Her children has never been supporting her and she depends on well-wishers from time to time.

Speaking in between tears, Fatimah said every year it has been a bleak Hari Raya for her.

“My children are all on their own and never contributes to the family thus causing me a lot of hardship,” she said sadly.

She is thankful to RCJSV for at least thinking of her during this fasting month and providing her with rations.

Another single mother, Halizawati Mahmor, 42, has two children aged six and thirteen.

Her husband divorced her in 2011 and life has been a struggle for her.

“I am really finding it hard to make ends meet. I can’t go to work as my children are still young,” said Halizawati, eyes misting with tears as she spoke about her situation to Apakhabar TV.

She was delighted as RCJSV has come by to provide assistance for her and for this she is very grateful.

She has been staying in the low cost flats in Sri Stulang for many years now.

“It is nice to see the Rotary club members come by and provide assistance for us,” she added.

56-year old Norhayati Idris lives in a two-room flat in Sri Stulang. Her husband passed away in 2014 due to cancer.

She lives with her three children. Two of them are working but never contributes to the home.

He life, she says is extremely challenging. She has to provide food on the table daily.

She does odd jobs and earns very little. “With that money I pay for the electricity, water and rental. Sometimes I get help from good neighbours who help me with rations.”

“There are some good people out there who think of us during these difficult times,” said Norhayati with a wan smile.

Meanwhile RCJSV hopes that these rations provide some encouragement to the families during these tough times.