In 1985, Ganggayah had a near-death experience due to a workplace accident. His life was saved by a colleague who performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, after which Ganggayah was warded in the ICU for two months to recover fully. Grateful for having survived this ordeal, he decided to join St John’s after he recovered, for if it was not for his colleague’s knowledge on CPR, he would not have survived. Ganggayah knew that he had to give back, and the way to do that is through helping other people.
After seven years at St John’s, Ganggayah became a part of the Rotary Club of Kulai and is now in EWRF (Education, Welfare & Research Foundation) as an advisor, mostly helping out Indian communities in the Kulai district. He goes through reports and analyses the root problems of poverty and hunger and personally surveys the homes of families in need.
Under EWRF, he organises a free breakfast programme for underprivileged students who cannot afford the most important meal of the day. Teachers reported that some of their students looked weak and lacked energy in class due to not having breakfast prior to arriving at school. Therefore, an RM2.50 budget is allocated per student for breakfast; the finances handled by a teacher-in-charge.
Transportation is another problem faced by children of lower income families, making it tough for them to get to school. Knowing that education is the key to exit a life of poverty, Ganggayah organises transportation for the students to and from school. The school monitors the students’ attendance and reports it back to him. He is happy to see a positive change in the community thanks to his efforts.
Still working full-time at a factory, he uses most of his weekends to serve others. People even come to his house at night to ask for help. He said they often assume he knows the way out of their problems, and he helps to his best ability, but most of the time, the only thing he can do is show them the way to apply for assistance from the government.
Ganggayah shared that all his work could not be done without the support of his wife, family, and his friends. “It takes two hands to clap,” he said, giving credit to his wife’s patience and strength for bringing up his two daughters to achieve great things while he was busy serving the community. He is also thankful to his friends who are always available, especially financially, when he needs assistance to help a family. His company has also been very lenient and understanding of his passion to serve others.
“I thank God. God never lets us down,” he said.
