OVER the last couple of years, I have been fortunate to meet people who are intent on making a difference.

More importantly, these people are interested in making a difference in other peoples’ lives.

I will be the first to admit that I myself was caught up in the rat race of the corporate world. I was more interested in wondering where the next buck would come from, and how I could double that buck.

I was more interested in discussing politics and the state of the nation.

There was hardly any thought for the less fortunate, and if there had been, it was soon forgotten.

Then, I met people who sacrifice their time and energy to volunteer at food kitchens to feed the needy. Each and every week.

Then, there were others who try to reduce food wastage and hunger. Also, others who provide free counselling services to those with problems.

There were those who volunteer at refugee centres. And, others who volunteer for more than one cause. Sometimes, the same faces would be seen at different causes.

The stories from these volunteers were quite staggering. There were cases of violence and disorder. Threats were made against volunteers when requests for money were turned down.

There were stories of sexual harassment, both verbal and physical. There were instances where women volunteers were groped when handing out food.

There was a story where there had been an attempt by a mother to leave her newborn baby in the arms of a volunteer, who was cradling the child.

Quite shocking, really, to have these things happen to you when you are trying to help other people.

What is truly amazing, though, is that these volunteers keep going back each and every week, despite the setbacks.

Despite the danger that they put themselves in, they believe in the bigger cause of helping people, and that has to be admired.

Today, one of these volunteers decided to celebrate their birthday with Myanmar child refugees. This selfless act was what motivated me to write this article.

There is a need to share what our fellow Malaysians are doing for the needy and less fortunate because too many of us are just not aware of what is out there. Too many of us don’t even care.

Maybe, it is time that we look at ways and means to help out those who are less fortunate. Maybe, the way to a better country is to focus less on politics, and focus more on each other.

I don’t have the answers, but I know that there are a lot of people out there who are prepared to sacrifice their time and money, and pour their efforts into making a difference.

They put their thoughts, ideas and efforts into action to directly impact other people’s lives. They put aside politics, religion and ideology to focus on what really matters – helping our fellow man.

And that, to me, makes them true heroes. As a friend of mine once said, not all heroes wear capes.

* Dharm Navaratnam reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.