Part II Yayasan Suria's 12th Anniversary: Collaborative Efforts for Community Upliftment

Working Together: Yayasan Suria and Ihsan Johor

Yayasan Suria's mission to support vulnerable communities is strengthened by its partnerships with other charities and N.G.O.s, particularly Ihsan Johor. This collaboration began in 2018 and has been pivotal in delivering meals and essential supplies across Johor Bahru and even during national crises like floods.

"We come together, bound by a shared belief in the 'religion' of humanity. Our mission transcends boundaries, as we are colourblind in our service, reaching out to all beneficiaries regardless of race or religion," said Puan Farrah Baptist, Chief Executive of Ihsan Johor.

Both organisations draw on deeply personal experiences to inspire their charitable work. Farrah shared how her own near-death experience during childbirth, along with Yayasan Suria's founder James Ho's battle with cancer, have deepened their commitment: "These experiences have reinforced our determination to live fully and to serve others, no matter the challenges we face."

Project N.A.S.I.: Empowering Single Mothers

One of their significant collaborations is Project N.A.S.I., where both organisations work with single mothers to cook affordable, nutritious meals. This initiative creates a source of income for single mothers and provides meals to those who cannot afford them.

"By doing this project, we have created an income stream for single mothers while also providing cheap, home-cooked nutritious meals to those who can't afford such meals on their own," Farrah explained.

Another critical project is with Lost Foods and Farmbyte, where fresh fruits and vegetables are collected twice a month and distributed to the urban poor around Johor Bahru.

Supporting Maritime Students in Need

The foundation extends its outreach to needy students at the Netherlands Maritime University College.

"Our students come from B40 families, mainly from Sabah and Sarawak, and their parents find it difficult to send money for their daily requirements," explained En Hanafi Bin Mohd Noor, the hostel warden. He highlighted the dire situation, sharing that students sometimes go days with just one meal. Yayasan Suria provides weekly provisions to 76 students, ensuring they don’t go hungry. Moreover, the foundation collaborates with E.F. English Academy, to offer English lessons to 25 students from various faculties.

Volunteers: The Backbone of Yayasan Suria

Volunteers are the lifeblood of Yayasan Suria's work. With 46 volunteers at the ready, the organisation is supported by dedicated individuals like I.T. professional Lo Seong Loon. Lo began volunteering in August 2020, helping the foundation establish a digital presence, including a website and WhatsApp communications, which became essential during the pandemic.

Lo's commitment grew as he began refurbishing used computers for students who were attending online classes. "When the movement control orders lifted, I took on more roles such as ensuring Registrar of Societies compliance, managing online services and supporting James with day-to-day operations. It's been a fulfilling journey ever since," Lo shared.

Another long-time volunteer is businessman Mr. Elan Ko, who runs the Underperforming Children's Programme under Yayasan Suria. This programme focuses on students in Tamil schools who struggle with basic literacy and numeracy skills. Over the past three years, it has provided 55 children with targeted reading, writing, and mathematics support, along with study materials, meals, and safe transportation home.

Patronage and Corporate Support

Freddie Lee, a hotelier and property developer, has been a critical patron of Yayasan Suria for the past four years. His support has provided food and groceries during national disasters like the COVID-19 pandemic and recent floods. "During national disasters such as the Covid-19 pandemic, we provided many daily food packets from our hotel to Yayasan's soup kitchens set up for people who suddenly found themselves homeless," Lee said. The hotel also regularly offers festive goodies to brighten the lives of Yayasan Suria's beneficiaries.

Conclusion

Yayasan Suria’s presence is felt throughout Johor Bahru, with their 4x4 vehicles tirelessly delivering aid to those in need. Through strong partnerships with organisations like Ihsan Johor and the unwavering dedication of volunteers and patrons, the foundation continues to uplift marginalised communities. From providing meals for the urban poor to empowering single mothers and supporting struggling students, Yayasan Suria’s work exemplifies its steadfast commitment to making a meaningful difference.

As the foundation celebrates 12 years of community service, its mission only strengthens. Every contribution—whether time, skills, or resources—has a direct impact on those facing hardship. To help Yayasan Suria extend its reach to more families, students, and individuals in need, consider supporting their cause through Sokong.

Together, we can amplify their life-changing efforts, ensuring more hearts are touched and more lives transformed. Your kindness could be the hope someone is waiting for.