From right: Mr. Stevenson Charles (Managing Director of QNET Malaysia), Datin Umayal Eswaran (Chairperson of Vijayaratnam Foundation), VP Donna Imson (Chairperson of QNET), and Raja Datin Hajah Zuraida (President of Friends of IJN) bringing Hari Raya cheer to a patient at IJN
KUALA LUMPUR, August 15, 2012—Vijayaratnam Foundation, QNET, and Friends of the National Heart Institute (FNHI) today put smiles on the faces of some 200 patients warded at the National Heart Institute (IJN) here.
The patients were pleasantly surprised upon receiving duit Raya packets and hampers from Foundation Chairperson, Datin Umayal Eswaran, and President of FNHI, Raja Datin Hajah Zuraida binti Raja Dato Seri Mansur.
The contribution was part of the Foundation’s efforts to reach out to the community and share the festive occasion with the less fortunate. Vijayaratnam Foundation is the local chapter of RYTHM Foundation, the QI Group’s global Corporate Social Responsibility arm.
Datin Umayal Eswaran presenting a Hari Raya hamper to a smiling patient at IJN
“Presenting gifts and hampers during festive occasions is not new in Malaysia. Nonetheless, it is an important occasion as it brings joy to those in need, such as the 200 beneficiaries of today’s event. For the last couple of years, the Foundation has been giving out goodies to welfare recipients of the National Welfare Foundation.
“This year, along with QNET, which is QI Group’s largest subsidiary, we are happy to collaborate with Friends of the National Heart Institute in this activity. We are confident it will bring cheer and put a smile on the faces of patients here, especially the children” said Datin Umayal.
With Hari Raya celebrations just around the corner, there was an air of festivity when QNET staff and volunteers from University Teknologi Malaysia came together to lend support for the occasion in the spirit of caring and sharing.
Datin Umayal Eswaran presenting the Hari Raya hamper to another patient at IJN
Raja Datin Hajah Zuraida said for every family, festivals are a time for joy, togetherness and celebration. “However, while most families are celebrating, it is just another ordinary day for the patients here. This is why we make a special effort to spread a little cheer to them by giving out these Raya gifts.
“We never get tired of seeing the joy on the faces of the recipients, especially children. We want them to know that they too are remembered during festivities. I am thankful that Vijayaratnam Foundation and QNET have lent their support to this event,” she said.
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Vijayaratnam Foundation was established in April 2006 by Dato’ Vijay Eswaran, Executive Chairman of the QI Group, as the Malaysian Chapter of RYTHM Foundation, the global Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the QI Group of Companies. Vijayaratnam Foundation is a tribute to his father, the late Mr S Vijayaratnam, to continue the legacy of his philanthropic activities started over 60 years ago.
The Foundation focuses on four main areas – education, community development, arts & culture, and the environment. Flagship projects include Footprints, a mentoring program for children in Orphanages who are paired with employees of the QI Group to provide guidance and counselling and Maharani, a series of educational camps for adolescent girls.
The Foundation has also set up Taarana, a centre for children with special educational needs. Additionally, the Foundation facilitates the inception and implementation of various initiatives and projects through its work with the public and private sectors, civil society, and the philanthropic community. Please visit the Foundation’s website at www.vf.org.my to know more details.
Friends of National Heart Institute was formed in 1999 and registered in 2006 as a support group for IJN. Its main activity is to render counseling for heart patient visitors. They render their services in the following areas:
- care for the children at the Children’s Ward
- special care for needy patients through cash or in kind – basic amenities
- sharing and offering emotional support for patients
- involved in physiotherapy
- providing reading materials through mobile library services
The Vine 