Penangite Liang Mee Lun turns 100 tomorrow and to celebrate, she and her family members will donate RM100,000 to 10 charitable organisations by making paper roses, something that she has done for 29 years, after her husband passed away.
Her contribution will be matched by another RM100,000 by businessman Tan Poay Seng. The money will go to help Asia Community Service, The Association of Resource and Education for Autistic Children, Special Children's Centre, Penang, House of Hope, Penang Hospice Society and Persatuan Orang Cacat Negeri Pulau Pinang, among others.
The paper roses, which she made for charity, became her purpose and over the years, she has raised money for different organisations.
Last year, Liang raised RM160,000 for Bold Association for Children with Special Needs Penang, a centre that cares for children with special needs. In 2017, her efforts brought in RM53,000 for the Lions Reach Centre for Autistic Children.
Liang says making flowers keeps her mind occupied. "It makes me focused on something and I feel calm and peaceful. I feel undisturbed when I make the flowers. But the best part is seeing the flowers. I feel happy when people like them,"
She can make 10 small roses or 6 medium-sized ones, or 3 to 4 big roses a day. She would start making paper flowers by 10am daily. From a piece of crepe paper, she would patiently cut out the petals and one by one and fold them into a rose. This will continue till lunch.
She believes this hobby has kept her brain cells active and alert and her fingers, healthy.
She has completed a vase of 100 paper roses, which she made for Tan, for his generosity to match her monetary contribution to the charitable organisations.
She maintains that there is no secret to her healthy and long life. She says she makes it a point to be in good spirit, with simple thinking.
"There's no need to worry too much. Take one day at a time. A good quality of life is to stay happy and feel thankful for what you have," she says,
She says having a family who love and care for her is important. She is also mindful of her needs, like taking supplements daily and following her doctors' advice. She also finds pleasure in cooking for others.
She says she feels good that her paper flowers can brighten up people's homes and offices and lift someone's spirit and raise funds to help those in need. The ability to give and to be kind brings her joy.
"I think what matters most in life is finding a purpose and thinking of others, whether it is for your family or for the society, she says.
Liang has 11 children who live in Penang, Melaka, Kuala Lumpur, Johor and Singapore, 26 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. More than 50 of her family members will come together to celebrate her milestone birthday.