KUALA LUMPUR: Zhariff Afandi (pic) was born without hands, but that has not stopped him from living his life and doing things that not many others would have done.
Zhariff, 34, goes trail running, scuba diving, horse riding and has even participated in the 6.5km Pulau Kapas-Marang swimathon twice.
“People might see not having hands as a weakness but it hasn’t stopped me from doing the things I want to do,” he told the The Star Online.
Zhariff, 34, is also actively involved in humanitarian work – having helped out in Aceh for eight months in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami and getting involved in the relief work for Kelantan flood victims.
Next week, he will be participating in the United Sikhs-organised Good Will Walk that will start on April 19 from Kampung Wang Kelian, Perlis, and end on May 23 in Malacca.
The 750km walk is meant to raise awareness on the plight of the homeless and poor and to raise donations and 200 tonnes of non-perishable food items for the newly-registered Malaysia Foodbank Project.
A core group of 10 walkers have committed to complete the full distance over a 35-day period.
Zhariff who is on the board of directors of the organisation said that a Foodbank would help relief efforts in the aftermath of a disaster.
“People need the aid immediately. It won’t solve the problems of relief efforts, but it will help the situation,” said Zhariff, who has pledged to walk about 250km.
Besides disaster relief organisations, the Foodbank will work with soup kitchens and homeless shelters said Zhariff.
Malaysian Foodbank Organisation director Rishiwant Singh Randhawa who is also known as the Flying Singh said the organisation was set up in the aftermath of the Kelantan floods.
“After a disaster, it takes about five days to get the food and funds. The food bank is to serve all organisations,” he said.
Rishiwant said he hoped the public would walk with them for part of the journey or donate either food items or money to the cause.
Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/04/15/Good-Will-Walk/