A true friend of the Befrienders

Star: MALACCA: Apart from investing in a furniture factory here, a Taiwanese man has also put his money into the business of helping the depressed by supporting Befrienders Malacca.
The 57-year-old, who only wanted to be known as Cheng, has donated RM100,000 to help the counselling group move into a centre of its own in Ujong Pasir.
“I have enough money for my own wants and my family’s needs. Rather than spending the money frivolously or just investing it to acquire more profits, why not put it to good use?” he said.
Cheng, a member of the Tzu-Chi Buddhist group in Taiwan, did not merely give cash to the group.
He also roped in a local contractor, Sheng Yong Engineering Works Sdn Bhd, to renovate the new centre, providing work worth some RM40,000 for free.
Chen visited the centre twice while the renovations were ongoing to make suggestions on what could be done to make the place more comfortable.
“I know I could have just donated the money and not given it further thought, but I felt I should help in every little way. We should all contribute to the best of our abilities,” he said.
Befrienders centres worldwide provide emotional support to the depressed.
As a result of his efforts, the Malacca group moved into its new home on Dec 11 and is now able to extend its services from just phone counselling to include face-to-face sessions.
Volunteer Amy Lee, who had approached Cheng, said the group would not have been able to get the centre, a 20-year-old house – purchased for RM130,000 – without his help.
“I was speechless and could not believe it when he told me he wanted to give RM100,000. I thought it was a dream,” she added.
According to Cheng, he had been moved by her account of two Befrienders Malacca volunteers who had rushed to a high-rise apartment to save a suicidal man after receiving a call from him.
He said while he also donated to other charities, including Tzu Chi, he was supporting the Befrienders because people with troubles did not always approach religious bodies.
“If they can help people just by listening to them, then I’ll consider the money well spent,” he said.
Apart from Cheng and the contractor, a painter also chipped in by charging the group just RM500 to repaint the centre.