The festival, organised by Immaculate Heart Charity, also saw the children and homes receive donations of school and household supplies.

According to Immaculate Heart Charity founder Dr Elizabeth Kelsie Rozario, the festival’s aim is to empower children to focus on their studies, and help them realise their worth and potential.

“We want to encourage these students, many of whom do not have parents, and remind them that they are never alone. There is always someone there to help them,” Rozario told FMT Lifestyle.

She added that while her charity had organised the festival many times over the past few years, this marked the first time they were celebrating it on a large scale.

The festival’s name comes from the belief that children are the light of the future, and should be supported in every way possible.

Immaculate Heart Charity is a non-governmental organisation whose mission is to uplift the poor and needy in the community, irrespective of race or religious background. It aims to foster compassion and provide support to the underprivileged, especially during challenging times.

This year, the Little Light Festival presented aid to the Selangor Children Welfare Home, Good Samaritan Home, Guardian Angel Home and Baitul Sakinah As-Shariff.

In attendance were politician Dr M Kayveas and Real Parking Management Sdn Bhd managing director Simon Dass.

The event started with a garland ceremony for the guests of honour, followed by lunch for all present.

The attending children, who ranged from babies to those of secondary school age, were treated to musical performances from singers Zenn, Farah Salim, Celina and rapper Balan Kash.

Their loud laughter filled the air as they gleefully participated in games such as Treasure Hunt and the Chair Game.

Each child was presented with a school bag, pencil box and pencil set, while each home received necessities such as curry powder, noodles, salt and biscuits.

Rozario said she believed the event was a success, and hoped to continue organising the festival, albeit on a bigger scale, in the near future.

She added that her charity’s work would not end here: she planned to conduct follow-up sessions with the homes to learn the specific aid they required, so her NGO could help meet their needs.

“It’s great to see the smiles on people’s faces after events like this. Making other people happy makes me happy too,” concluded Rozario.

“I hope that we as Malaysians continue to keep coming together in unity, and help others regardless of their background.”