Steven Sim

I may not be with the Rakyat in Protes…

But we in Bkt. Mertajam are in solidarity with y’all at Kelana Jaya Stadium!

We were gathered since 8 am this morning at Bkt. Mertajam for a slightly different cause: The inaugural Bukit Mertajam Charity Paintball Challenge organized by E-Youth, a youth NGO of which I am part, in collaboration with Democratic Action Party, Jalan Tembikai branch where I am Secretary.

Had a full day of shouting, cheering, shooting and being shot, but all in the name of good healthy fun and love for fellow members in our Community.

The fund raised so far, RM4000.00 (from nothing, we have no allocation from Party nor Club nor Government - just a bunch of crazy young people wanting to do something), will be distributed to three needy families in Bukit Mertajam.

Mdm. Selvy Rajoo, who is widowed just two months ago, two days after her last child was bornt. She has 8 young kids, eldest is 12 years old and is struggling daily to maintain the family and dealing with the sudden demise of the man of her love.

Mr. Low Teik Guan, 66 was bedridden for almost three years now having suffered from a type of brain tumour. He, and his 15 year old son is solely dependent on his wife for living…

Mr. Sia Eng Guan, 45, lost his job at the construction site due to deteriorating healthy caused by kidney failure. He has to undergo the painful ritual of dialysis 3 times a week. The Sia, two kids and two elderly parents were also dependent on Mrs. Sia to provide for their living.

These people came to our Member of Parliament YB Chong Eng for help and we the young folks of Bkt. Mertajam felt obligated to respond to the needs of the Community we belonged to. Hence the idea to raise fund.

We may not be able to remove their sufferings totally, but at least we want to show them that despite the challenges in life, there is still hope, because there is still love, even from strangers. And to the youth, we hope to create an awareness towards building a more caring society. The fate our our fellow members in the Community is inexplicably bound to ours…if a part of the body is suffering, the other parts should share the pain as well.

We had a good crowd today, the whole paintball site was packed by 9 am. By 10am, YB Chong Eng arrived to cheer us on and to launch the showdown. They players, from all walks of life in Bkt. Mertajam, some professional paintballers, some first timers, but they all understood the meaning of them being there. It’s not just about winning (cool prizes…see photo below), but there was something more profound when we all knew that every bullet we shot was not because we really hated the opponents, but because we cared for and loved someone enough to have spent the money today.

The winners…with their prizes (printers, toasters and medals)