PENANG, Tues.- Professional hairdresser Lloyd Yeoh was kept busy with scissors and comb at the Penang Adventist Hospital (PAH) here yesterday, but made no money from it.

A Rotary Club of Penang member, Yeoh was providing free hair cuts to nine Cambodian children who have successfully undergone heart surgery at the hospital.

The nine children were among 11 brought to Malaysia thought the sponsorship of Cambodian airline Royal Air Cambodge for heart surgery at the PAH under the Gift of Life 2001 programme.

It is a joint project between PAH, Royal Internasional and the Royal Club of Penang.

After the haircut session, Rotary Club of Penang president Michael Chen presented a cash donation of US$660 (RM2,500) from the clud’s Medical Fund foe the children.

It was received on their behalf by two Cambodian doctors, Dr Neou Leakhena and Dr Khol Chanbonamy, who accompanied them here.

"Each child will receive US$60, to enable him or her to have three decent meals a day for about three months in Cambodia," said Chen. This would contribute to the child’s health after the operation.

He later presented each child with a bag of clothes and toys collected by the parents and teachers of St Christopher’s School, a private school here.

Also present were club immediate past president, Nutan Shan, PAH Heart Patients’ Fund chairman Lim Chooi Eng and other PAH official including public relations manager Cheah See Lin, Heart and Vascular Centre manager Grace Lai Yoong Ern, development coordinator Rachel Phoon, and customer services officer Frances Lai.

Under the Gift of Life programme, Rotary Internasional subsidises US$2,000 (about RM7,600) while the rest of the cost is raised through public donations channeled through the PAH Heart Patients’ Fund and the Rotary Club of Penang.

To date, the programme has helped children from Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

Donations may be sent to the Rotary Club of Penang, Gift of Life 2 Account, c/o 7 Jalan Kelawei, 10250 Penang.

For details, call 04-2266331 or 04-2261133 ext 1259 or 1290.