JOHOR BAHRU: Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being. And the true essence of giving lies not in the amount but in the intention behind it.

GoodHope Hotel Johor Bahru decided to let their acts of kindness be the stepping stones to create a better world.

The hotel’s generosity is the spark that ignites hope in the darkest of times.

Although Deepavali is known as the Festival of Lights, many are still in darkness as they are trying to cope financially to celebrate the festival despite the economic downturn.

Many hardcore poor families are still experiencing hardship. Daily struggles and heartache are amplified for the hardcore poor especially in the run-up to the festive season.

GoodHope Hotel brought Deepavali joy to some 30 single mothers at the PPR Sri Stulang flats.

The ladies collected the aid from the hotel’s group general manager Callie Tan and the management staff.

Speaking to ApaKhabar TV after the handover of hampers, Tan said doing something for yourself gives motivation but doing something for others gives meaning.

“Even the smallest act of caring for another person is like a drop of water – it will make ripples throughout the entire pond,” she remarked.

She said that community service gives the hotel staff a valuable opportunity to walk into a different community that is less familiar to us but just as colourful and most importantly, in need.

The hotel over the years have been providing assistance to the underprivileged, needy, orphanages, aged and disabled homes during the festive season and at other times.

“We believe that supporting these families during the festive season will bring them some happiness and a sense of relief as they will be able to celebrate with their family and friends,” she said.

She stressed that the hotel is sympathetic to single mothers who struggle to earn a living and are facing financial difficulties to feed their family.

For the hotel they will continue to uplift others, champion justice, or simply spread kindness. “We are weaving a tapestry of positivity that can ripple through communities and change the world.”

The hotel has demonstrated the profound impact that a single act of goodness can create with their help to humanity.

Not mincing her words, Tan said one of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.
“Helping others is a good effort to instill human dignity,” she stated.

The hotel’s management and staff adheres to this truism, “be the help to humanity, be the might to humanity, be the light to humanity and be eyes to humanity.”

Tan trusts that everyone should play his or her part in helping others. Do it yourself, person to person.

The hotel, according to Tan will continue to play its part in providing for the needy from time to time as their small contribution can help ease the burden of a number of unfortunate.

At the Sri Stulang flats, staff of GoodHope Hotel and Selvam Panjanathan, a resident who assembled all the single mothers distributed the hampers to the families. The hotel staff also had the chance to speak to some of the single mothers listening to their plight.

There were beams on the families’ faces as they approached to accept their hampers. For several of them they had teary eyes as the handing over of hampers came as a surprise to them.

These food items, according to Tan which they have donated can change a life. A simple hamper can help a needy or single mother get through the day.

“That’s the beauty of giving back and helping. You don’t need to be a rich person to make a difference. All you need is a true desire to make life better for others and the will to follow it through,” added Tan.

One of the recipients of the aid, 63-year-old Layar Thiruppayah, who lives all alone in a two-room flat, said her husband and children have all abandoned her.

“I don’t have any relatives to even turn to and have to fend for all by myself,” she said in between sobs.

Layar said she is grateful to GoodHope Hotel for providing aid for her which she can use this Deepavali.

She did not expect any help but it was like a dream come true.

Suria Kumari Gurusamy, 67, stays alone as well as her husband died 22 years ago and their children are all married and have lives of their own.

She does not get any assistance from them, though she does get help from some close friends and other relatives.

Suria Kumari said she is thankful to the hotel for giving her the Deepavali hamper.

Kalarani Govindasamy, 57, lives in a rented room in Sri Stulang flats.

Her husband died of Covid-19 recently and she doesn’t have any children.

She works as a janitor in the Larkin Market and earns a small salary.

“At least there are some kind people and organization out there thinking of the needy during this time of the year,” she murmured.