Monspace chief Jessy Lai continues charitable work to end AIDS in Malaysia
PETALING JAYA, April 19 — Datuk Seri Jessy Lai’s philanthropic ways are well known among those who are in the fight to end AIDS in Malaysia.
The founder and chief executive officer of Monspace has not only donated resources but her time to various worthy causes including raising HIV/AIDS awareness.
“Giving to charity makes me feel that the world has no borders and everyone in the world could be family to each other and that’s how this world should be,” she said.
“Also, while I am doing this, it also encourages my friends, colleagues and family to do the same, it makes me feel happier and more fulfilled.”
Lai was recipient of the Malaysian AIDS Foundation (MAF) Philanthropic Excellence Award at last year’s Sunway-Malaysian AIDS Foundation Red Ribbon Gala.
Datuk Seri Jessy Lai (second from left) receiving the MAF Philanthropic Excellence Award from the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah. — Photo by Shafwan Zaidon
She was recognised for her tireless effort and dedication in the fight to end the AIDS epidemic in Malaysia.
“Not only am I proud at receieving the award but I also feel that it is an acknowledgement of a job well done and appreciation.
“It’s not an award for myself, but it’s an award that should be shared with the MAF team.
Lai is no stranger to being involved in charity, having been in it for more than 20 years since her first employment as a kindergarten teacher.
“It has become a habit for me to contribute not only in monetary terms but also in raising awareness and on-the-ground helping the less fortunate eight years ago when I started Monspace.”
Besides aiding in HIV/AIDS efforts, Lai also has her own charity movement that supports efforts to reduce maternal, neonatal and child mortality.
“IT is a cross-over project with Unicef where I visited Vietnam & Philippines. It is my wish to see children survive and thrive in a safe and healthy environment, free from violence.”
She is also World Conference on Exercise Medicine organising chairman and Global NCD activist.
The conference is an assembly of medical specialists, exercise scientists, mental health specialists and exercise leaders that formulate specific types and dosages of exercises to combat non-comunicahle diseases (NCDs).
“According to the WHO, non-communicable diseases kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74 per cen of all deaths globally.,” she added.
“Exercise medicine has the potential of treating and preventing four main NCDs, namely hypertension, diabetes, obesity and dyslipidemia through prescription of the right kind of therapy and we hope that can help people that suffered from NCDs.”
She is also St. John Ambulance Malaysia Kawasan Pantai Selangor vice president of where she has contributed two units of bariatric ambulances and Mobile Clinic Services to the community to provide medical aid to rural areas and communities that often have difficulty accessing clinics and hospitals.
“I always believe that God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with,” she added.
MAF also paid tribute to Lai saying that she has stood by the foundation even during the most challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.
