MALAYSIA - Whilst COVID has had tragic direct impact on people’s lives and livelihoods, there is some positivity to share from Penang.
Shastri A/P Mani Kumar, a current Form 6 student of St Xavier’s Institution, Penang, lost her father in January 2021. Her mother and eldest sister lost their employment shortly after. In typical Xaverian fashion, the proverbial Lasallian hat was passed around and our Xaverians of year 1979/81 & Lasallians of year 1975/77, collected a total of RM11,770.00 within one week. This amount will be disbursed to the family over a span of 15 months in smaller tranches. The Alumni is also assisting to find job placements for both mother and daughter for family financial sustainability and independence. The family was very grateful for the financial aid and assistance rendered by our ever-helpful alumni.
As soon as home visits were allowed by the prevailing COVID regulations, some representatives from the class of 1979 / 1981 visited the home of the family to distribute some vouchers and to say hello and lift their spirits. (Text & Photos: Br. Jason Blaikie FSC)