StarSilver: Generous benefactors who believe in 'paying it forward'
There are many Malaysians, regardless whether they are rich or poor, who suffer in silence because they cannot find trustworthy senior caregiving services when they badly need it. The cause is simple: There is a lack of care professionals to meet the demand of a rapidly ageing Malaysia. And we are not preparing ahead even though everyone knows very well that ageing is an inevitable process.

The key to meet this growing demand for care professionals is to develop an effective training and career pathway for young people. Through our “Teenagers Caregiving Initiatives”, a series of training initiatives offered by Masoc Care, we have come across many young and talented teens and youth who are keen to join the senior care industry by becoming professional caregivers.

However, many cannot afford the fees required to go through comprehensive caregiving training.

Therefore, the Malaysian Association for Social Care Professionals and Homes (Masoc Care) has developed their Benefactor Programme, which allows people from all walks of life to contribute towards the development of professional caregivers among the younger generation.

This week, we would like to pay tribute to three individuals who have stepped up to be benefactors, contributing RM10,000 each towards the training of young students who are committed to becoming trained caregiving professionals.

The bigger picture

Chong Kwai Yong, 62, is the district service director at Nirvana and is one staunch benefactor.

“I am willing to become a benefactor for a student to go through training, with no conditions attached. I have done so in appreciation of the efforts of Masoc Care in creating awareness about senior care. I was impressed when I saw how they once dedicated a full-scale event to only one person in the audience who stayed until the end! This gave me confidence that the beneficiaries are in good hands,” said Chong.

The bigger picture, he says, is helping more young people get educated in a field that is much needed in the future.

“I also hope that the beneficiaries would show their appreciation by returning the ‘favour’ and going on to sponsor another and by doing so we can continuously promote gratitude and contribute towards senior care. Hopefully I can get some others to join in as benefactors too,” he said.

Don’t be ‘poor’ in education

Another benefactor who wishes to share his thoughts on the programme is Chooi Chok Khooi, 67, the Treasurer of SJK(C) Sam Chai and chairman of SJK (C) Siputeh in Perak.

“I heard of the benefactor programme from Dr Edward Foo, advisor of Masoc Care. Masoc Care has run programmes across Malaysia, educating youths about the senior care industry, giving them opportunities to further their education and work in a sunrise industry – the ageing industry.

Chooi hopes that his contribution can help inspire a youth to contribute to the elderly in more ways than one."One particular story that stuck with me was that of a young boy from Ayer Tawar (in Perak). It’s such a shame that there are youths like him who may not be academically smart and have few avenues (to be trained). They end up doing hard labour in the fields just due to lack of funds to continue their studies.

“They can be so much more and have endless possibilities. They can benefit their community and country on a much larger scale. What they need is just some funds to start them off, which we, as members of society, can provide and assist them with.

“One can be poor in (terms of) money, but one must not be poor in education. It is up to those of us who can help, to make sure the young become rich in knowledge, and for them to further enrich society, and the generations beyond, through senior care,” says Chooi.

Why not help?

Another benefactor is Lim Ai Chen, 57, who works as a human resource manager.

“I got to know about the programme from my daughter who is working with the association. Previously, I’ve always heard stories of her experiences with youths in rural areas. She mentioned that the youths there usually stay with their grandparents and have a soft spot for the elderly. Though they might not be academically inclined, they are kind, compassionate and caring.

“She told me that there was once, she engaged a young boy in their programme who showed traits of being a good caregiver. However, he did not continue the programme due to a lack of funds. He ended up washing dishes in a restaurant instead to earn quick money for his family.

“It broke my heart to hear this. How many students like this are out there – those who actually have the potential to be trained to become good caregivers, to earn a good income but do not have the money to achieve this?

“My daughter shared with me another heartwarming story of a few orphans they engaged in an awareness event who were interested in caregiving. This round, because there were people sponsoring the orphans, they were able to be trained. My daughter told me these orphans were extremely appreciative of this opportunity. They told her that they will remember this act of kindness for the rest of their lives. This gratitude has motivated them to learn well and to work as caregivers. To me, the money from benefactors can groom young talents to have gratitude in the work they pursue. This money can change lives. So, I thought to myself, if my money can make such an impact, why not?” says Lim.

Masoc Care is calling for more people to join their Benefactor Programme and to make a difference.

As we recognise the remarkable contributions of our benefactors, we urge others to become benefactors too and have a meaningful impact in the lives of aspiring care professionals and elderly individuals in need of compassionate care. This article was contributed by The Malaysian Association for Social Care Professionals and Homes (Masoc Care).
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Senior Care association hopes that their Benefactor Programme can create ripples in the future of senior care by promoting charitable giving.