New Life Foundation's Big Six Makes Life Easier for Many

It is easy to overlook people experiencing poverty when caught up in the fast-paced city life. However, this is not the case for New Life Foundation, an organisation founded by Darius Ho in 2020 after volunteering to distribute aid to those in need during the White Flag campaign triggered by the Covid lockdown. With extensive experience in the banking sector, he envisioned "a local NGO to help the local people" instead of internationally-affiliated NGOs that collect funds locally for causes elsewhere in the world.

Sokong speaks to New Life Foundation's Vice President Vivian Lei, an educator by profession with a background in psychology but found fulfilment in helping others.

Sokong: What are the primary focuses of the New Life Foundation?

V.L: We have six main thrusts: Healthcare, Education, Animal Shelter, Food and Necessities Aid, Funding Hope and Disaster Relief. Our main aim is to help people neglected by society or the government, those who have fallen through the cracks of bureaucracy, and those who do not know where to seek help. We focus on the marginalised and vulnerable groups such as the underprivileged, homeless, different-abled, single parents and the elderly.

Funding Hope is our latest endeavour. It was launched in May of this year to help patients who struggle with paying medical costs such as surgery fees, medication, and equipment. It is an extension of the Food and Necessity Aid. When we visited their homes and learnt about their difficulties, we felt it necessary to help as much as possible.

Sokong: How does your organisation select welfare aid recipients?

V.L: Applicants go through a thorough vetting process. We also conduct home visits and cross-check to see if they are eligible for aid under the Welfare Department's B40 list. We do not give money—we give in kind, depending on the availability of the food and necessities provided to us by the donors. Typically, our food basket consists of rice, cooking oil, sugar, milk, instant noodles, rice vermicelli (bee hoon), canned food, and milk powder for older people and children. If we have toiletries, diapers or sanitary napkins, we will also include those.

Although we try to assist everyone, sometimes we must turn down some applicants. It is heart-wrenching to make these decisions, but we need to prioritise based on the criticality and urgency of each case.

Sokong: How many clinics are there?

V.L: There is only one Clinic at the moment. New Life Clinic is at B-1-6, Icon City, Jalan SS8/2, Sungai Way Free Trade Industrial Zone in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. We have an in-house nurse and an in-house doctor, and the Clinic operates from Mondays through to Fridays, from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm, and Saturdays, from 9.30 am to 2.30 pm.

We waive consultation fees for those who fall in the B40 income bracket. Also exempted from consultation fees are donors who commit to recurring financial aid from consultation fees—it is our way of showing appreciation for their contributions.

We spend an average of RM1,500 for every 50 patients, and we use the funds to maintain medical equipment; provide medicine, vitamins and supplements; purchase test kits and disposables, gloves and masks; and purchase wound care and dressings, among other things. Apart from the Clinic, we are raising funds to start our Dialysis Centre to support those with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

Sokong: How about your animal shelter?

V.L: New Life Animal Shelter was established in 2022 when we took over a shelter from a gentleman facing health and financial problems. After that, we rebuilt the shelter. Now, we provide 24-hour, round-the-clock care and love for stray animals with the help of volunteers and donors. So far, we have rescued over 200 animals and over 60 volunteers. Those interested in volunteering or donating to our furry friends may contact 014-2179399.

Recently, from June 15 to June 16, we collaborated with Petz-A-Mania and held an adoption drive at the Paradigm Mall in Petaling Jaya. Despite our efforts, none of our shelter dogs were adopted.

Sokong: Tell us about your Education programmes.

V.L: We have the Special Learning Programme (SLP) and the Student Subsidies Programme (SSP) for education.

The SLP is a free programme where we assist single parents and underprivileged families with special needs children, such as those diagnosed with Autism, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), or those with Learning, Developmental or Intellectual Disabilities. Currently, we have a teacher and ten students. Single parents or families in need who are interested in registering for this programme may fill out the online form here.

As for the SSP, we help needy students by providing them with meals, books, stationery, and other necessities. We provided daily meals to nine Year One students at SJK(C) Selayang Baru and assisted eleven Year One students with book fees at SJK(C) Desa Jaya.

Sokong: Are you receiving any funding from the government?

V.L: No. We rely solely on public donations and contributions from corporations and business owners. Despite this support, we continue to face financial constraints due to the irregular flow of funds. However, we collaborate with the State Assembly Persons or Members of Parliament to hold joint programmes.

Sokong: What other plans does NLF have in the future?

V.L: If we have enough funds, a soup kitchen would help even more needy people. We also need more volunteers to assist in our various programmes.

We aim to raise public awareness about showing greater empathy towards vulnerable groups, such as individuals with disabilities, the senior community striving to make ends meet, and innocent stray animals that pose no harm to society. We encourage people to lend a helping hand to these groups whenever possible.

We are a transparent organisation that adopts best practices and good governance. What we do is impactful, and we welcome everyone to visit us.

Explore New Life Foundation’s page on Sokong to learn more about their initiatives and support their efforts in making a difference.