A GROUP of 40 people from Penang calling themselves the Mercy Group brought cheer to the Bethel Hill Old Folks Home near Kuala Nerang in Kedah.

They spent over four hours at the home. Haircuts were given to the 13 female residents while ang pow and groceries such as milk and biscuits were handed over to the home’s residents.

The group concluded their visit on Sunday by singing Mandarin songs which the residents clearly enjoyed.

Spokesman Ang Bee Hong, 51 said she and her friends have been providing gifts to the needy for more than 15 years.

“We started visiting welfare homes in Penang to give help in whatever what we could, and when these homes are self-sufficient, we direct our attention to other organisations.

“This is our first time to the Bethel Hill Old Folks Home, and we are happy to be helping the residents. We brought along two hairdressers to give the residents a haircut,” she said.

The Mercy group is made up of residents from Bayan Lepas, Jalan Mesjid Negri, Batu Maung and Taman Tun Sardon in Penang.

The oldest member of the group is former Penang Municipal Council employee Woo Pak Yam, 90, who never misses a trip.

The home’s committee chairman Lim Hoe Lian, 75, and secretary Ooi Kok Heng, 70, welcomed the group.

“We always look forward to receiving help from well-wishers. We have 13 all female residents, aged between 65 and 88.

“We have plans to admit male residents when an additional building is built,” he said.

The Bethel Hill Old Folks Home near Kuala Nerang (about 30km from Alor Setar) was founded by American missionary Elizabeth Hale in 1960.

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