By Anne Das
Around 300 people gathered at MH Hotel Ipoh on Saturday, October 17, for a sold-out afternoon of music, good food and even better company.
The occasion was Chari-Tea, a charity fundraiser organised by KLSings in collaboration with Sunway Medical Centre Ipoh, in support of Perak Women for Women (PWW).
Founded in 2011 by Cheryl Teh, KLSings is a Kuala Lumpur-based singing community that promotes active ageing through music. Cheryl and her singers have been supporting PWW through charitable performances since 2018.
For Chari-Tea, KLSings’ VoxPop Choir and guest performers brought Broadway favourites to Ipoh, with selections from The Sound of Music, The King and I, Carousel and other musicals.
Guest singers Suzan Manen, Johnben Loy and Pan Swee Chin joined the colourful ensemble, while The Happy Strummers added a cheerful touch with their ukuleles.
Familiar songs including You Are My Sunshine, Top of the World and Rasa Sayang soon had the audience singing and dancing along.
The singalong brought everyone together, with English, Chinese and Malay favourites encouraging guests to join in across different languages and generations.
KLSings founder Cheryl Teh was delighted with the response.
“There’s something wonderful about seeing a roomful of people singing their hearts out, regardless of age or background. We’re thrilled with the response in Ipoh,” said Cheryl.
Between performances, old friends caught up while guests mingled and posed for photographs. The afternoon was as much a social gathering as a musical celebration.
And then there was the food.
MH Hotel Ipoh didn’t disappoint, serving up a generous buffet of local and Western favourites, from satay and curry mee to rice dishes, cakes, desserts and fresh fruit.
The spread was well received, with guests complimenting the food for its flavour and variety. It was certainly a feast that went well beyond the usual hi-tea!
One of PWW’s key initiatives is its Free Breakfast Programme at SJK(T) Changkat Ladang Kinding near Chemor, where approximately 40 underprivileged children receive freshly prepared breakfast each school morning.
For some, this may be their only substantial meal of the day. Teachers have reported improved attendance, with children looking forward to breakfast before lessons begin.
PWW also sponsors annual transport fares for 10 pupils and provides after-school tuition for children needing additional help with literacy and numeracy.
These initiatives require a minimum of RM35,000 annually, with hopes of extending the programme to more children if funding permits.
“The generosity of the Ipoh community never ceases to amaze us. We are especially grateful to Cheryl and KLSings for their friendship and continued support over the years.
To everyone who joined us, donated or contributed in any way, thank you for making this afternoon such a success,” said PWW President Sumathi Sivamany.
For over two decades, Perak Women for Women has worked to improve the lives of women and children across the state, through education, advocacy and practical assistance.
Its work continues to be guided by a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to live with dignity, security and hope for a better future.
Those wishing to contribute need not wait for the next fundraiser.
To donate to PWW:
🏦 Bank: CIMB Bank
Account Name: Persatuan Wanita Perak Untuk Wanita
Account Number: 8004 88 2245
📞 WhatsApp: 012-521 2480
🌐 Facebook: Perak Women for Women
