Food4U, his charity organisation, works with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and the Women, Family, and Community Development Ministry. In light of the current flood crisis, Food4U has been providing cooked meals as well as clothing to those at various flood relief centres.
“We prepare halal food such as nasi lemak, fried rice, noodles, vegetables, and curry chicken for them,” Uncle Tony told FMT.
“The recent flood in the country brought so much pain and misery to many people whose houses and properties were totally destroyed,” the 72-year-old pensioner added.
To date, they have helped victims in 11th mile Cheras, Kampung Kenangan in Puchong, and more recently, Taman Sri Nanding in Hulu Langat.
“The condition at Taman Sri Nanding was terrible. We had to wait for almost five days for the waters to subside before we could go in and help,” he recalled.
By that time, the residents were also having to contend with the stench emanating from mountains of rubbish strewn along the roads, a clear health hazard in itself.
“It wasn’t just in Taman Sri Nanding – the entire stretch of Hulu Langat was littered with piles of rubbish. The only way to get rid of the rubbish was to bring in trucks and excavators, which many of us, the NGOs, did at our own expense.”
“We rented two excavators and five trucks to clear the rubbish,” he shared, adding that they worked with two other NGOs – Angkatan Sukarelawan Asas Sejahtera (ASAS) and Filantropi Fakir Gelandangan (FFG).
Apart from the above, Uncle Tony and his volunteers have been helping clean the homes of as many flood victims as they can.
Now Uncle Tony’s NGO is scrambling to provide essential items like food, clothes and bedding among others, to the thousands staying at flood relief centres there.
He also told FMT it was tough taking in the full extent of the devastation the floods had caused.
“In some cases, the floodwaters rose all the way to the rooftops and all you could see were the tips of the roof. Most of these houses are literally empty now.”
In the first week of January, Food4U is planning the donation of essential items such as rice cookers, stoves, kettles, as well as mattresses, pillows, and various food items to those in need.
He estimated that there are approximately 1,500 families in Taman Sri Nanding alone. “We want to start somewhere, and we ask that the general public help us to support the community in Taman Sri Nanding,” he said.
A call to Malaysians
He said now was the time for all Malaysians to come together as one to help the thousands whose lives have been turned upside down.
“They have lost everything that they have built over the years, and they have nothing left. I am pleading – please come to participate, support, and donate.
“As we live in the comfort of our homes, let us not forget the flood victims whose lives have been shattered, leaving them with nothing. Let’s come together to bring hope by caring for them.”
Speaking about the situation on the ground, Uncle Tony said, “It was a very emotional experience to witness the devastation and sadness on everyone’s faces – it tells you the magnitude of the disaster.
“There were families who were lying down and crying. Some were holding onto broken items as they tried to salvage whatever they could. I hope and pray that I will never, ever see this again,” he added.
For those who can donate cash, clothes or food, call Uncle Tony at 017-881 2666.
Food4U
37, Jalan 2/2A
Bandar Sunway Semenyih
Email: [email protected]
Learn more about Food4U through Facebook here.