This year, it seems like our news feed has been inundated with bad news. Never would we have imagined that we would spend most of 2020 having to stay home to protect ourselves, our families and our community from a virus. However, in every moment of darkness, there are countless moments of light.
Despite the restriction on our movements, individuals are rising to the occasion and using whatever resources they have to help those most affected by this Covid-19 pandemic. From selling artwork to raise funds, to cooking up a storm for the homeless, here are creative ways some of us are helping those in need.
1. Run in Unity to Beat Covid-19 with HappyFresh
As someone who is so used to constantly being on the go, Guillem Segarra, CEO of HappyFresh is putting his energy to a good cause by running a half marathon (21km) from his home to raise donations for people affected by the outbreak. You can view the live stream of the actual half marathon on HappyFresh’s Malaysia YouTube channel on 17th May 2020 at 6pm. During the live session, viewers will get to play games and win awesome prizes.
The donation drive is open to anyone and can be done on the official Run in Unity page from now until 3rd June. Proceeds collected will be distributed equally to an organisation in each of the countries HappyFresh operates in, with Mums4Mums being the recipient for Malaysia.
2. Queen of Hearts
The frontliners from several hospitals in the Klang Valley have been treated to mouthwatering meals cooked by a queen, no less! Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, a cooking enthusiast, has rolled up her royal sleeves and personally cooked several Malaysian dishes which were distributed to staff at the Sungai Buloh Hospital, University Malaya Medical Centre and the Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC), bringing cheer to many. Truly the Queen of Hearts!
3. If Walls Could Talk: The Fever Dream Edition
21 poets and musicians from seven countries have come together to perform online in a bid to raise funds for those affected by the Movement Control Order (MCO).  According to Melizarani T. Selva, host and co-founder of If Walls Could Talk, even though the MCO has affected the income of the artistes themselves, all the invited artistes had no qualms to participate for the sake of a good cause. By the end of the show, a sum of RM7, 890 was raised for the Refuge for the Refugees, Tenaganita, Dapur Jalanan and Ligations Demokratik.
4. Digital portraits for a good cause
Entrepreneur with a talent in illustrations, Dzurina Dzulkhaini is making a difference by teaming up with Ifzan Ibrahim to customise charming digital portraits in a bid to raise funds for those affected by this pandemic. Priced at RM80 each, half of the proceeds received are donated to NGOs. To date, they have collected RM8,000 which they have disbursed to happybankcrew, feed the faith and the wondermilk foreigner staff fund. These portraits would make an adorable addition to your home or a perfect gift for your loved ones, all in charity’s name.
5. Making a bald statement
The residents of Subang Jaya are coming together for the community by getting their heads shaved! To raise awareness about the Feed the Hunger initiative, locals have been sharing photos and videos of their newly-shaven heads through the SJ Echo Facebook page. According to the MalayMail, this project initiated by Lions Club of Subang Jaya, aims to provide over 1,000 meals a day to those affected by the MCO in Subang Jaya. To date, they have managed to raise RM15,000 to go towards meals and grocery supplies to households of daily-wage earners, such as cleaners and general workers, around Subang Jaya, USJ and parts of Sunway.
6. Age is not a barrier
Self-taught chef and baker, 13-year old Danish Harraz has been doing charity work since he was 7, and this MCO is not stopping him! He has been spending his time cooking hundreds of meals for the homeless and less fortunate during the lockdown. Danish’s good deeds have got him noticed by the BBC which interviewed him alongside other charitable teens from all around the world. This proves that age shouldn’t be a factor in helping others during a global crisis.
7. Spread the pre-loved
Aishah Zein Idris started Baju Nyawa Baru selling pre-loved and upcycled clothing. The MCO gave her a chance to take a step back and reflect on how she could contribute to the community better, while still making sure it is in line with her brand’s belief in a sustainable future for fashion. This is when she decided to collect pre-loved baju raya clothing for women, teenagers and children in need. Thanks to the power of social media, her initiative spread like wildfire and she has been overwhelmed with donations. The clothes received will be going to Yayasan Chow Kit, myAGE Youth Group, WOMEN:girls and Sisters in Islam.
8. Make your own face mask
Founder of Maker’s Habitat, a sewing school in Kuala Lumpur, Ng Ching Ching was inspired to make her own face mask  after seeing a Facebook post by a doctor in Taiwan. The doctor spoke about how members of the public should use fabric masks so that surgical masks can be allocated for healthcare workers. Ng then decided to share her knowledge on how to sew a fabric mask in a 3-minute video tutorial. Little did she know that her simple video would go viral and garner millions of views! Ng has since gone the extra step and together with other volunteers, sewn thousands of personal protective equipments (PPEs) to be donated to hospitals.
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This is a sponsored post presented by HappyFresh.
Our initial Mums4Mums campaign via sedunia raised RM60, 000 within 15 days. However, calls for help keep coming in. Please consider helping more mums by donating via HappyFresh’s campaign here.
By Liyana Taff
