Herald Malaysia
KAMPAR – During Advent last month, Caritas Church of the Holy Name of Mary, Permatang Tinggi, embarked on an inspiring outreach to the Orang Asli community in Kampar, Perak. Gifts generously donated by parishioners became tangible expressions of the joy of the Lord, shared with those in need.
This initiative was more than a seasonal charity effort — it was an act of solidarity rooted in discernment and action. After assessing the needs of Kampung Batu Berangkai, the parish Caritas team chose to support approximately 700 villagers, embracing the call to stand with the marginalised.
In the first week of Advent, the team launched a parish-wide donation drive. An awareness video played after every Mass, drawing inspiration from the rejection of Mary and Joseph by the innkeepers. It encouraged parishioners to console the Infant Jesus by offering gifts to the least of His brothers and sisters.
The response was overwhelming. In less than three weeks, parishioners contributed two wheelchairs, 39 sets of school uniforms, and essential items for 100 families. While modest in quantity, these gifts carried love for Jesus and a sincere desire to share His joy with the Orang Asli.
The outreach took place during the third week of Advent. Together with Caritas Church of the Sacred Heart, Kampar, ministry leaders and parishioners visited Kampung Batu Berangkai. Tok Batin Encik Yusri welcomed the group and arranged a traditional tarian sewang dance performed by the village children. Carols were sung, and a shared meal strengthened bonds of friendship and mutual respect.
Yusri shared the history and challenges of the Semai community, now a diverse group due to intermarriages with other Orang Asli groups and wider Malaysian society. Traditionally farmers, many now work in public and private sectors, while some continue agriculture and handicrafts. Yusri highlighted the importance of empowering youth, women, and the sick, and defending ancestral land from encroachment.
The Orang Asli are among Malaysia’s most marginalised communities, vulnerable to poverty, climate crises, and loss of land. When forests are cleared, homes and livelihoods are threatened, making solidarity and support all the more vital.
Through this outreach, the Orang Asli were central. The Church’s mission is to walk alongside the poor, safeguard their dignity, and proclaim justice through both action and prayer.
In serving the least of our brothers and sisters, parishioners encounter the Sacred Heart of Jesus, who calls them His own. We warmly invite everyone to serve in the parish Caritas, bringing the light of the Gospel to the peripheries and encountering Christ in the faces of the marginalised. – Herald Malaysia
