Brother Ben is irreplaceable, say NGOs
Published on: Tuesday, February 21, 2017
Kota Kinabalu: NGOs that have been supporting the late Brother Ben in his work among the poor and unfortunate heaped praise for his dedication and willingness not to turn down anyone who sought his help regardless of race or religion. They hoped the Don Bosco Children's Home in Bundu Tuhan, Ranau, that he founded would continue its good work. Excelrun Sdn Bhd General Manager Juliet Lo paid tribute to Brother Ben for his remarkable and exemplary work at the firm's seventh release of RM280,000 from its RM2.5 million Charity and Education Fund to 28 beneficiaries under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme.
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She noted that he had devoted more than 50 years of his life to establishing and running the Home."Brother Ben was a distinguished volunteer. We (Excelrun) would like to record our appreciation to him for a job well done. Sabah is lucky to have had his services which enormously benefited the rural communities, especially the underprivileged children. Some of them are homeless while others live in remote areas and would not be able to attend school if not for the Home he set up," she said. Brother Ben breathed his last in his native Netherlands on Feb. 13, aged 89. He went there two years ago in the hope of returning to Sabah as he had openly expressed that he wished to be buried in Bundu Tuhan, where he had devoted 60 years of life. Attempts by church elders to bring him back, where he had been under the care of the Mill Hill Missionary centre in Netherlands, failed due to his advanced ill health, among others.
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The Don Bosco Children's Home built by the late Brother Ben between 1986 and 1987 is dear to the heart of the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu (RCKK), the oldest Rotary Club in Sabah, said current President Jeyan Marimuttu."It was funded by RCKK and completed in 1988 during the Presidency of John Ho at the cost of RM250,000.00.
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It was officially opened on June 11, 1988 by then State Assemblyman for Kundasang, Datuk Ewon Ebin," he said. Prior to that the late Bro. Ben was already running an orphanage in Bundu Tuhan since the mid-1960s – believed the first such private effort. What is significant, he added, is that RCKK had been involved with the late Brother Ben in the prime years of his life in his care and devotion for the Don Bosco Children's Home. "His dedication to the charitable institution was immeasurable. It will be very difficult to find a person like him. We are sure the community will miss him greatly, especially the children at the Home, and all the people who have had the privilege of working with him in the name of Service to Humanity."Jeyan rated Brother Ben as a selfless man who had given so much of his life to Sabah and more, particularly to the children and people of Bundu Tuhan."The late Brother Ben was very much a hands-on man who went down to the ground to ensure that everything was all right, and an all-rounder who was caring and passionate about children and disciplined them well to bring out the best in them. "There was a certain chemistry between him and the children," said former Managing Director of Joy Pharmacy, Datuk Nancy Ho who led goodwill visits to the Don Bosco Children's Home. She said the children respected him as a "father figure" and obeyed his instructions because it was for their own good, adding he was a patient teacher who inculcated right values in the kids."It was pleasant to deal with the Mill Hill Brother because he really cared for the children. Before the visit, we called him to find out what the Home needed. He said there was enough rice supply, thanks to some kind souls. "Every week he would come down to Kota Kinabalu to collect donations in kind from regular donors," Ho recalled. "On our part, we brought toiletries, deworming syrup and vitamins (donated by benevolent companies) to ensure the children were healthy."Tulip Noorazyze, now an NGO activist, remembered having coordinated charity visits to Don Bosco Children's Home when she was with Hyatt Kinabalu and later Shangri-La as a public relations practitioner. "We enjoyed a good working relationship with Brother Ben. He was very kind and caring and it was obvious that they (kids) loved him. He had done a lot for the children's well-being. A very patient and persevering man indeed. He is going to be missed by all who knew him. God Bless his Soul," she said. To Junior Chamber International (JCI) Intan, gentle Brother Ben was akin to an "angel". JCI Senator Teresa Alberto said the underprivileged children were so blessed to have him in their lives as he was like a "father" to them in all aspects. "When you see him, you feel happy, comfortable and at peace. Bundu Tuhan folks will miss him so much. They have benefited immensely from his teaching, and the knowledge and living skills imparted to them over the decades," she added, referring to his introduction of highland vegetable cultivation since the mid-1950s that now have become their main economic livelihood for thousands in Kundasang and Ranau."The late Brother Ben had a good working relationship with non-governmental organisations (NGOs), according to the Charter President of the Lions Club of KK Lintas, Jennifer Lee. "This is what we admire about him…his approachability made service organisations willing to go out of their way to support his work despite the distance," she said.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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