MELAKA: The Lions Club of Tanjung Bidara successfully raised funds to help a 58-year-old bachelor and his adopted daughter with Down syndrome and spine problem.
The club’s chairman, Patric Chang, said his team initially lacked confidence in collecting sufficient funds when the plight of Teo Hock Teng was highlighted in The Star on July 19.
“Many told us that the economic uncertainty may impact the effort to raise funds, and it would probably receive a lukewarm response from the youth.
“Surprisingly, we received an overwhelming reaction from the public, especially from young entrepreneurs, where in less than 48 hours, sufficient fund was raised.
“Even a number of my entrepreneur friends came forward to help,” he said after visiting Teo and his daughter at their home in Bandar Hilir here.
Chang said the public donation would be distributed for medical expenses and other needs of the teenager, who is now 16.
“Every single sen will be accounted for, and I will announce the total expenditure incurred after the teenager undergoes her corrective surgery at Hospital Kuala Lumpur that is scheduled by end of this year,” he said.
In an earlier interview, Teo said he adopted a baby girl after her smile melted his heart when he visited her at Hospital Melaka in 2007.
Teo said the child’s mother was his neighbour in Bandar Hilir here, and he went to the hospital to see the baby with his relatives 16 years ago.
He said the girl’s mother didn’t want to care for her newborn, and none wanted to adopt her, so he decided to legally adopt her as his own.
