03/02/2019
Please read. Then contribute. Then share.
A Ringgit A Malaysian - please read.
My past 3 charitable efforts.
1. An impulsive drive to Kelantan with a then stranger to assist flood victims in 2014. Hundreds of villagers were aided through calls for financial aid from the public.
2. A 600km walk from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu in 2015 to raise funds to repair a dilapidated village stricken by poverty and flooding in Kelantan. Projek Wumah was a successful effort which took ten months to complete.
3. A 4000km bicycle ride to China in 2016 to raise money to help even more underprivileged families repair their homes. The mission to find my ancestral home in China was a success and over 40 homes were improved through the effort.
Cycle to China was an expedition sponsored by a Malaysian telco which was undergoing a rebranding exercise. The sponsorship amount was for RM100000. I gave the money to the charity instead. Luckily friends rallied around and raised a fair amount of money to help cover part of the cost of the expedition. The most hurtful comment?
“Aiyah, for a rich man what’s RM100000?” That too coming from an acquaintance. I mean, who says things like that? But then again that’s Malaysia for you these days. Many have become cynical, judgmental and ever ready to cut anyone down to size rather than offer a kind word. Not that I was looking for any but still, what a thing to say eh?
The notion that I am a rich man is both misguided and presumptuous. Rich people don’t go cycling. Granted, wealth is relative but then again, not many people know how much of my own money has been spent to see through the causes I have shouldered till now. I never use any part of donations to cover my expenses although I’ve had to endure all sorts of accusations. Talk is cheap when no one knows the burden. But let’s just say that I will be broke when I get home so if anyone is looking to employ a reasonably useful talent in about eight months’ time, do drop me a line thanks. Only thing I can’t do is fix rockets.
Anyways.
Through all my charity efforts past and present, my message has been consistent, and that is simply ‘Participation’. A very basic but poignant message. That is, if everyone does something together, we will achieve a great deal, but if everyone chooses to do nothing then we achieve nothing. Did I just give you a ‘No S**t Sherlock’ moment there?
By the way, you might also like to know that this is the second writing of this post. The first one was completed but the phone hung as I pressed ‘Send’ and was never recovered so I may miss out on a few good points from the original post. Almost strangled myself in frustration.
Now where was I?
Right, participation.
You know, in all my previous exploits, I was also never keen on setting donation targets except for Projek Wumah because I knew how much money was needed for that project. Every now and then the audience would ask if I had a target to raise and I would say no. Some would advice that it might be better to have one so that we could have something to ‘chase’.
But I held steadfast to my convictions about participation, rightly or wrongly. And I say this also because I know the characteristics of the audience too well. You could say that I’m an authority on this subject hahaha.
So here’s what I do.
I pick a cause which I can relate to, make its case to the audience and then go off and pull some crazy stunt in order to keep the audience focused on the cause. Let me tell you something. These crazy stunts, do you think I’m not scared? I don’t even have a plan. Never had one and unlikely to ever have one. Yes, of course I’m afraid. But it’s a good cause and that’s all that matters.
And so Seven Wunders wasn’t going to have a donation target either. But after some thought and persuasion in meetings with National Cancer Society Malaysia prior to departure, it did seem feasible to have a target of RM5 million. With a population of 30+ million, we could try to pe*****te 5 million Malaysians who have access to social media and at a ringgit each, we can do this. Sounds easy right?
Let’s just say that I have carried a quiet pessimism from day one. Raising money is never easy and some days it can really feel thankless. Still, I choose to remain positive and keep the faith knowing that this is a truly worthy cause. To help save children’s lives, can there be anything more compelling?
So I write and I write, persuade, share my thoughts, feelings, sights and occasionally bare my soul to you in the hope that you will participate. It is never the amount donated that I care about. To me, be it one ringgit or ten thousand ringgit, the fact that you have participated means far more. The fact that you have heeded the call tells me this is a worthy cause and before anyone thinks their ringgit won’t make a difference, I beg to differ and appeal that you reconsider. It does make a difference.
More importantly, it only takes less than five minutes of your time to make that difference. Never underestimate the power of one is all I’m saying.
So for those who have requested for the tally so far please refer to the accompanying pic below. Let’s just say that we have garnered almost 4 times more the number of ‘Likes’ on this page than ringgits. Says a lot. This after over 500 days on the road, hundreds of photos shared, millions of words written and buckets of tears cried. You must think I’m disappointed?
No. I am not.
While it is nowhere close to what’s anticipated, it is at the same time close to 200000 participations right there. And that’s better than zero. To all who have played your parts, I thank you. Thank you thank you THANK YOU!
All it says is we’re just going to have to work harder from here on and remain focused. Either keep pushing on or throw in the towel. I have pledged two years of my life to do this and I will give every ounce that I have to see that this ride will not be in vain. You have my word.
I want to come home knowing that together, we are going to make a difference to the lives of these children of lesser gods for the next 12-14 years. I will endeavor to keep strong and complete the task as set out within the next eight months. All I ask from you is to find just that one day, that few minutes in that time to participate, contribute and help spread the word. I want us to be able to say that together, we played a part to give these children a chance to live through our small but meaningful participation. There is no greater satisfaction, I promise you.
The children might not be our own flesh and blood. Then again, need they be so before we fight for the little fighters?
To participate;
Public Bank Acc: 3988587622
The National Cancer Society of Malaysia
Ref: Ride for Gold
Or online @ Peoplegiving
http://bit.ly/7Wunders
Let me know your thoughts. Talk to me.
Thank you.
-David Wu-
