A TWEET on the eve of the movement-control order (MCO) by a writer led to the loose formation of a group called #KitaJagaKita, which seeks to help the less fortunate by linking donors and volunteers.

“Initially, this started off as a thread that I tweeted on March 17,” said the movement’s founder Hanna Alkaf.

“I was tired of feeling helpless about everything I was seeing in the news and I wanted to take action and start doing something.

“So, I began looking for and compiling organisations and community groups working with vulnerable communities on the ground, anyone seeking donations or volunteers.”

Hanna, who won the US-based Freeman Book Awards for her debut novel, The Weight of Our Sky, said she initially teamed up with just a few friends on Twitter by posting a list of civil society groups that needed funds with the hashtag #KitaJagaKita.

“As the thread started taking off, my friend approached me and said he and some of his friends – former team members of pulangmengundi.com – had seen the thread and wanted to work with me to do something more concrete.

“So, within 24 hours, we created kitajaga.us, making sure to verify each listing and allowing everything to be easily shared beyond Twitter.”

The movement now includes Mercy Malaysia, Women’s Aid Organisation, Befrienders KL, and CAREMongering Malaysia, which sought to provide food and assistance to underprivileged communities.

Aside for donations, volunteers can offer their services, such as remote counselling.

“We are a group of volunteers that work to verify and compile efforts to help vulnerable groups during the movement-control order. Those who want to offer help, and those who are looking for help, simply need to go to our website and find the specific groups working within their needs.”

Hannah added that the group is adhering to the social-distancing order.

“We don’t have a base. We all work remotely. Some of us have never even met before this.”

Further information can be obtained at [email protected]. – March 21, 2020.