Jenny Pong, a double amputee struggling financially, receives cash, groceries, and essential medical aid from Lions Club and local donors.
IPOH: A 59-year-old amputee who faced financial difficulties and other issues almost gave up hope until the Lions Club came to her rescue.
Lions Club International Region 5 chairperson Dr Richard Ng said early this month, he received a call from a fellow Lions Club member alerting him on the predicament faced by Jenny Pong Seow Chin.
Pong, who had both her legs amputated due to an injury, was only able to move around using a special cart.
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“P. Krishnaveni, the director of Lions Club of Lumut Legacy infomed me of Pong’s situation.
“She needed monetary and essential goods aid. She also needed assistance for a urostomy bag (a pouch worn over an opening on the abdomen) to collect urine, which costs about RM1,800 per month.
“I led a team of Lions Club members to visit Pong after I received the call and organised for aid to be given to her. We gave her cash and arranged for groceries to be sent to her house on Dec 8,” Ng said.
Cash donation and food items such as biscuits and milk powder were contributed by Lions Club of Perak Silver State and Persatuan India Muslim (PRIM) Perak.
Also present during the visit were PRIM chairman Mohamed Arib Aliah, Lions Club of Perak Silver state secretary Tina Leong, Ipoh Rising Star treasurer Jansen Ng and second vice-president S. Thinakaran.
Ng said after her parents died in 2011, Pong stayed with her brother and sister-in-law in Gunung Cheroh.
The trio are living in a wooden hut built by the family on a piece of land belonging to HSBC, which allowed them to occupy the site.
“Although she receives public donations and assistance from Lions Club and a small amount from the Welfare Department, the aid is unable to cover her expenses.
“To make ends meet, she makes sambal paste and sells them to earn extra cash. Her brother collects recycleables to supplement their income,” Ng said.
At the age of 17, as a member of Persatuan Kebajikan Warga Amal Istimewa (now defunct) in 1993, Pong was assisting her mother in helping people with various disabilities until the age of 31.
In 1985, Pong was pregnant with twins but had to undergo an abortion due to a spinal problem she suffered after she had a fall.
She then developed problems with her lower limbs and had trouble walking.
In 1997, Pong was admitted to a private hospital and was later admitted to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital in Ipoh, where both her legs had to be amputated.
It is learnt that Pong had been on her own after she was separated from her husband in 1985.
Public donors who wish to assist Pong may channel contributions directly to her Maybank account number 1583 1405 4246.
