She is collecting used smartphones to be given to underprivileged families whose children lack the electronic devices needed to take part in online learning.
Chin, in her 60s, said she was moved after reading about the plight of countless families, such as a recent FMT report about a family in a far-flung village in Kudat district.
For the past year, a mother had taken her children to a hilltop to get an internet signal so they could attend online classes. The children previously had only one device to share between them for the classes.
“After reading so many articles and hearing stories about the plight of these families, I felt there must be something that can be done to help them,” Chin told FMT.
“I really felt for the mother, and all mothers out there. Imagine having to do this for a whole year already and still not knowing when things are going to get back to ‘normal’.
“So if we can help a little bit by eliminating the need to share one phone in a household of more than one child, then we have achieved some good,” she said.
So far, Chin had only managed to gather four smartphones since starting on Tuesday, the first being donated by her son Brendan Wong.
“There must be hundreds out there who are in need of one. Once I get enough, I will contact the relevant NGOs to help identify and distribute the devices,” she said.
She also intended to work with schools and teachers who will be able to better identify underprivileged families.
She made a post about the initiative on social media and the posting has been shared many times over by others.
To support Chin, the Sabah Law Society (SLS) is holding a donation drive to collect gadgets and cash to buy devices for underprivileged children.
“It breaks our hearts to know there are many in Sabah who have to go through great difficulties just to receive an education, especially during Covid-19 times,” said SLS president Roger Chin.
For those who wish to help the smartphone initiative, do drop us a WhatsApp message on FMT’s Helpline at 019-389 9839. Click here to Whatsapp us.