JOHOR BAHRU: The Rotary Club of Johor Bahru (RCJB) has once again demonstrated its commitment to community service by stepping in to assist those who need it most during this Ramadan season.

In a heartfelt initiative, the club provided rations and foodstuff to 30 single mothers and needy families from the B40 group living in a low-cost housing flats in the city.

These families, often overlooked by NGOs and other aid organizations, face daily struggles to make ends meet. Many are single mothers who shoulder the burden of providing for their children without regular income or support.

For them, the holy month of Ramadan, a time of reflection and giving, can also bring increased stress as they work to put food on the table for their families.

The Rotary Club’s initiative aimed to alleviate some of this burden, ensuring that these families could enjoy nutritious meals throughout the fasting month.

The rations provided included essential items such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, flour, milo, noodles and canned goods, along with additional items like eggs for breaking fast during Ramadan. Each family also received duit raya.

Club president, Steven Wu, shared that this effort was part of the Rotary Club’s ongoing mission to serve the community, especially those who are often forgotten.

“Ramadan is a time for compassion, sharing, and community. We hope that this contribution brings some relief to these families and shows them that they are not alone,” he said.

As a club, he said they are committed to uplifting the community and ensuring that no family goes without food, especially during this holy month. It brings us immense satisfaction to be able to lend a helping hand and ease some of the burdens these families face.

For many of the club members, this initiative is not just about charity but also about building a sense of community.

Community Service Director for Hari Raya, Datuk Mohd Noh Ibrahim highlighted the emotional impact of the effort.

“Seeing the smiles and relief on the faces of these single mothers and their children makes all the hard work worth it. We are all interconnected, and it is our responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind, especially during such a significant time as Ramadan.”

This initiative is just one of the many humanitarian efforts the RCJB is involved in throughout the year. With a mission rooted in service to the community, the club has continuously provided support to various marginalized groups in the region.

“As Rotarians, we believe that service above self is the cornerstone of our work. It is through acts of kindness like this that we can create lasting change in our society. While Ramadan highlights the importance of giving, we remain committed to supporting those in need throughout the year,” added Mohd Noh.

Officials from the Rotary Club worked diligently to organize and distribute the food packages, at the housing complex to personally deliver the rations.

The gratitude from the recipients was palpable. Many of the single mothers expressed their appreciation, noting that this assistance came in early during the start of the Ramadan season.

These families have expressed immense gratitude for the timely assistance, especially as the cost of living continues to rise.

One of the recipients, Norhayati Idris,57, a mother of three, said, “This food will help us so much during Ramadan. It’s been difficult trying to provide for my children on my own, and this support means the world to us.”

Norhayati’s husband died many years ago of cancer and now lives alone as all her children have moved out.

“This aid means the world to my children and me. As a single mother, providing for my family during Ramadan has always been a struggle, but this support gives us some relief and lets me focus on spending quality time with my kids. We are so thankful for this kindness,” said Norhayati with teary eyes.

Another recipient Kamsiah Mostari, 65, said, “Our family has been struggling to make ends meet for a long time, and we couldn’t afford to prepare for Ramadan.

This aid has come at the right time, helping us get essential items that we otherwise wouldn’t have. Thank you for thinking of families like ours during this holy month.”

Kamsiah, a single mother lives all by herself ever since her husband died of a heart attack a few years ago. All her four children are married and lives elsewhere.

She stressed that it’s been hard for them, especially with rising costs, but the Ramadan aid has given them a sense of hope and comfort.

“This gift helps us observe the fasting month with peace in our hearts, knowing that there are people out there who care for us. We’re deeply grateful,” added Kamsiah who doesn’t get any support from her children.

These comments reflect appreciation, relief, and the significance of receiving assistance, especially during a time of spiritual reflection like Ramadan.

RCJB hopes that this small gesture will inspire others to extend a helping hand to those in need. As Ramadan continues, the club remains committed to fostering a spirit of kindness and generosity, showing that even the smallest acts of giving can make a big difference in the lives of those who need it most.

As RCJB continues to make a positive difference in the lives of many, they encourage others to step forward and contribute to the betterment of the community, ensuring that the spirit of Ramadan is felt by all, regardless of background or circumstance.