Help sought to kick start HIV+ farm

Star: PETALING JAYA: Social worker William Ooi Chan is brimming with income-generating ideas for HIV+ people to be self-sufficient, but lack of funds has put a dampener on his well-laid plans.
“One of my church members has agreed to let us use his land in Raub, Pahang, to set up a rehabilitation centre and farm for the HIV+. The farm will allow HIV+ residents to be self-sufficient.
“Many HIV+ people are rejected by their family and community but the centre will give them the opportunity to be self-sufficient and lead meaningful lives,” said Ooi, 55, who has dedicated his life to helping the HIV+ since he recovered from a heart bypass surgery four years ago.
The former graphic designer had vowed to dedicate his life to helping others while recuperating from the surgery. An NGO offering support service to the HIV+ was the first to offer Ooi a job in community work.
He has done outreach work among sex workers, cared for HIV+ patients, helped to increase HIV/AIDS awareness and created job opportunities for the HIV+ by teaching them desktop publishing.
Ooi set up his own organisation called Prihatin Riben Merah last year, and has been working on the farm project in Raub where he has learnt about farming in the past year and plans to plant fruit trees such as papaya.
The plan for the farmhouse is also ready, and it would house 13 HIV+ persons initially.
Ford Motors gave Ooi a RM10,000 grant for his project. Ooi, however, still needs more funds as RM50,000 is required to get his centre and farm off the ground.
Ooi is hoping that the public would support his project by sponsoring 600 papaya trees in the Raub farm for RM100 each.
He also needs containers to be converted into living quarters while the house is being built.
Cheques should be addressed to Prihatin Riben Merah, and mailed to 18, Jalan Anggerik 1G, Bandar Bukit Beruntung, 48300 Rawang, Selangor.