MELAKA: Young Malaysians continue to show their generosity after a successful fundraising campaign for a man and his adopted daughter with Down syndrome.
In just two days after their story was featured in The Star on July 19, nearly RM30,000 has been donated to Teo Hock Teng, 58, and the 16-year-old girl.
The Tanjung Bidara Lions Club, which provided assistance, said the collected funds would help alleviate their burden.
Patric Chang, the club’s chairman, initially had doubts about the success of the fundraising effort due to economic uncertainties.
“We were pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response, especially from young entrepreneurs,” Chang said after visiting Teo and the teenager at their home in Bandar Hilir.
“Some of my entrepreneur friends also contributed to the cause,” he added. “This demonstrates the kind-hearted nature of Malaysians.”
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Chang explained that the public donations would be used for the teenager’s medical expenses and other necessities. The teenager has been diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis, a sideways curvature of the middle region of the spine.
“Every donation will be accounted for, and I will announce the total expenses incurred after the teenager undergoes corrective surgery at Kuala Lumpur Hospital by the end of this year,” Chang stated.
Teo, who is a bachelor, made the decision to adopt the girl when she was just a baby and smiled at him while he was at Hospital Melaka in 2007.
“Her adorable smile and the way her little fingers moved through the viewing window made a connection between us,” Teo shared.
Teo revealed that the girl’s mother, his former neighbor, did not want to take care of her, so he legally adopted her as his own.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
