By Anne Das
People living on our streets have become a familiar sight since the pandemic, and the numbers are only growing. Along city sidewalks and five-foot ways, hundreds sleep on cardboard, use old blankets for warmth and carry their entire lives in plastic bags. For them, every day is about surviving until the next meal.
Amid these daily struggles, one place continues to make a difference : The Lighthouse Hope Society (LHS) Ipoh, which has been serving the hungry and homeless regardless of race/religion since 2006. What began as a small effort to feed the poor has grown into a daily operation where between 80 and 160 people come each weekday for a meal, a shower and a clean change of clothes.
Earlier this week, teams from Perak Community Specialist Hospital (PCSH) and the Malaysian Medical Association (MMA) Perak joined hands to bring meals and festive treats to the city’s homeless and poor.
Led by Mr. Nicholas Chan, CEO of PCSH, and Dr. Monesh Pillai, President of MMA Perak, the group began their outreach at the Lighthouse Hope Society (LHS). Thursdays are especially lively at the centre, in addition to the daily meal service, there are free haircuts, doctor check-ups and medical aid for those in need.
The PCSH and MMA Perak team then proceeded to Jalan Foo Yet Kai, a well-known spot where the homeless often gather around The Store in town. Despite the rain, more than a hundred people came forward to receive packed meals and bottled water.
The final stop was Waller Court, built in 1960 and now among Ipoh’s most rundown flats. Age and neglect have left it in a derelict state, yet it remains home to many elderly and hardcore poor..
The team honked their car horns to signal the arrival of food, a familiar “call” now among NGOs that regularly bring aid to the area. About seventy people came down from the four-storey blocks, some using makeshift pulley systems to collect their meals as they were too old or disabled to walk.
Seeing life on the streets and meeting people face to face is an eye-opener,” said Dr. Monesh Pillai “You realise that outreach isn’t an option, it’s a responsibility. We’ll keep working with partners and volunteers to make sure help reaches those who need it most.”
Mr. Nicholas Chan added that PCSH’s mission has always been rooted in service.
“As a not-for-profit hospital, PCSH is committed to supporting the community in every way we can,” he said. “Through the PCSH Welfare Fund, we continue to subsidise treatment for underprivileged patients and ensure that quality healthcare remains accessible, especially for the B40 category.”
The issue of people living on the streets in Ipoh will not disappear on its own. It takes daily commitment from places like the Lighthouse Hope Society (LHS) and the collective effort of hospitals, businesses and individuals to make sure no one is left hungry or forgotten.
Dr. S.S. Gill. ,President of LHS, expressed gratitude for the continued support from hospitals and volunteers. And welcomes more collaborations for the fast-approaching year 2026!
“I’m always thankful for those who think of our homeless,” he said. “They are often forgotten by family, by friends, and by society. The streets can be cruel and lonely, so every act of kindness matters. What we try to do here is bring them some dignity, a little kindness and the reminder that they are not alone.”
The Lighthouse Hope Society is now officially recognised with tax-exempt status (LHDN), allowing companies to contribute under CSR programmes, tax-deductible.
How Can You Help? Contact them today.
Lighthouse Hope Society (LHS) Ipoh
📍 4 Jalan Koo Chong Kong, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
🕒 Monday to Friday, 3 PM to 7 PM
📞 Kenny Kenny: 018-958 8491
👉 Donations, collaborations, and sponsorships welcome 🤝
