Jownathan Roy Michael is embarking on his second prayer walk from Negeri Sembilan to Penang, having first done so in 2023. (Jownathan Roy Michael pics)

PETALING JAYA: On June 30, Jownathan Roy Michael will embark on a prayer walk from the Church of the Visitation in Seremban to the Minor Basilica of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam, Penang, to raise funds for the less fortunate.

Jownathan estimates that the walk, which covers over 400km, will take about 15 days. It will be an arduous journey, and although the 30-year-old Seremban-based contractor is mildly apprehensive, he trusts everything will turn out fine.

According to the devout Catholic, much of the walk will involve him spending time with God and praying.

“There are many people out there who cannot stand up for themselves. And there’s a lot of corruption in society today. I don’t have very much power to make change on a huge level, but I want to help and do a small thing while I can,” Jownathan told FMT Lifestyle.

As such, he will be walking “for the sick, the poor, the abandoned, for those with cancer, as well as mistreated animals, while praying for all the people”, he revealed.

“I’m not setting any targets. It’s up to those who wish to support me how much they want to donate. Even if we raised about RM1,000, that small amount can still be used to do good.”

The starting and end points of Jownathan’s prayer walk – the Church of the Visitation in Seremban (left), and the Minor Basilica of St Anne in Bukit Mertajam. (Wikipedia / Thrifty Traveller pics)

Jownathan added that this walk will have extra significance as he severely injured his leg in a workplace accident last year. Doctors were doubtful if he could walk unassisted again.

After a few months, however, he regained normal mobility. This walk, therefore, would also be his way of showing gratitude for this “miraculous” development.

After the walk, Jownathan plans to publish the names of donors and the amounts they contributed, so they can collectively decide the best way to distribute the funds. He will also be selling t-shirts to raise funds for the groups for which he will be praying.

Doing it for Dad

Jownathan further shared that he was inspired by his late father, Buithyanathan Michael, who had embarked on a similar walk in 2004 to raise funds for charity.

Buithyanathan had planned to do it a second time but passed away in 2021 before managing to do so. Jownathan’s efforts, therefore, are his way of fulfilling his late father’s dream.

Jownathan is also selling these t-shirts to raise funds. (Jownathan Roy Michael pic)

Interestingly, this, too, will be Jownathan’s second prayer walk: he first did it in 2023, although he had not set out to raise funds then.

He recalls that experience as being very strenuous but ultimately rewarding. Many who encountered him had assumed he was a homeless person or a beggar, which proved a very humbling experience.

Travelling long distances on foot with only his faith to keep him going had been tough, he said, but completing the walk his father had pioneered was an amazing feeling – one that serves as motivation for this upcoming journey.

This time around, Jownathan will be taking different routes, traversing older, smaller roads instead of major highways. He plans to start walking at 7.30am daily and continue until evening, when he will rest.

He aims to spend nights at churches, temples and other places of worship, or rely on his sleeping bag if he is unable to reach any of those.

Jownathan kissing the steps of St Anne’s upon reaching in 2023, and showing articles about his own father’s walk in 2004. (Jownathan Roy Michael pics)

Jownathan also welcomes anyone who wishes to join him on his journey. “You don’t have to walk with me all the way to Penang, of course. You can join me for 5km, or just 1km, if you would like.

“You can be a Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim or of any religion; you can have your own prayers as you journey with me,” he added.

Ultimately, he believes we all need to trust God and help one another. “Instead of just complaining, we need to act and do what we can. And keep supporting each other, as we are all one.”

To support Jownathan’s prayer walk or to purchase t-shirts, kindly contact him at 014-380 9019, or reach out to his cousin Alfred at 011-3326 3350.