Channel 8 actor Thomas Ong is running out of money for his charity project and needs help

Singapore actor Thomas Ong has a big heart, so big we want to hug him.

The 48-year-old has been funding two schools he built in Cambodia and now, he’s running out of money.

In an interview with local entertainment magazine 8 Days, he said: “it’s been a little stressful for me financially.”

Ong, who has been paying the bills out of his pocket for the last five years, spends about $30,000 a year so that 600 students can continue to have an education.

“It’s been quite hard for me to fund the schools on my own as the costs of sustaining them has increased from USD$200 (S$272) to USD$1600 a month now,” he told the media.

“The roof is leaking, the laptops that I brought over initially are spoilt, and there aren’t enough textbooks for the increasing number of students.

“I have to pay my own bills at home, and I don’t take on many acting projects, so it’s been a little stressful for me financially,” he added.

To keep the schools going, Ong will be selling 600 sets of citronella-based products at $35 per pack. All proceeds from the sales will go toward funding the schools.

In a Facebook post, Ong said the products are organic. The Project C Citronella Essential Oil can be used to repel mosquitos and other insects while Project C Citronella & Peppermint Rub can be used to relieve headaches, muscular aches and pains.

Project C was born when his friend told him about a citronella farm located in Phnom Penh. He then realised that he could sell Cambodian homegrown products to help their own countrymen.

“I hope that everyone can do their part to help these kids,” he told the media.

From now till 3 September, Project C Citronella Essential Oil and Project C Citronella & Peppermint Rub are available at Monoyono lifestyle stores at Plaza Singapura, Raffles City and Terminal 3 Changi Airport Departure Transit Lounge North.

The products are also available at WEEKEND store in Vivo City and Sunny Heights at 110 Turf Club Road.

All images via Project C’s Facebook page.