HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Life is not measured by the years we live or the wealth we possess, but by the caring, cheer and love we share, and the people whose hearts we've touched. I would like to wish you and all at home a very happy and peaceful New Year.

Handicapped and Disabled Children's Association of Klang Selangor

Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-kanak Cacat Klang Selangor
No:4, Lorong Bunga Raya, Kampong Raja Uda, 42000 Port Klang, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Tel : 03-31654312 / Fax: 03-31655616
Contact Person : Mr Morgun - H/P: 012-3915893


Season of Sharing and Giving

The jingles were playing so often on air these days that they have reminded me to visit a home before Christmas.

Took the opportunity to weed out the entire family wardrobe, we were surprised at how much excess clothes that were collecting dust in the closet. Plus all the outgrown clothes from Valerie, the amount of bags literally filled up our 4WD's trunk boot and back seats. Jammed in together also is Valerie's little toy horse ride and off we went to Mr Morgun's place this morning.

We chosen Handicapped and Disabled Children's Association of Klang simply because we knew that this place is in need of our handouts. It was proven true right from the moment we hit the front gate...

Party time...everyone is free to take anything that fits

I felt so sad for this kid when she turned everywhere crying looking for me... Auntie, auntie, susu, susu, ayam, ayam...I can't make out what she actually wanted, guess she is asking for food but her tears keep rolling down from her defected eyes...

Don't you feel great seeing these happy faces?

We were eager to see little Ah Hong. He was just about 1 year old when we first met him, a very cute baby who was suffering from bone cancer and holes in the heart, coupled with down syndrome...but his smiles are all so sweet. Today we were so relieved that he had gone thru a successful heart surgery in IJN with the help from kind donors who donated RM30K hence he has been given a new lease of life.

We as parents are proud that Valerie can share her belongings and is happy in giving it away to the less fortunate

Valerie has had great time with this horse riding toy and is time to pass it on

The picture below was Ah Hong in 2007. Isn't it a blessing to see such a lovely healthy boy now?
Good job to Mr Morgun and his team


A group of volunteers from the Art of Living Foundation, Klang busy painting the parameter fencing

Another family from Teluk Panglima Garang came with ready made lunch to share with the kiddos
Bravo Aunties and Uncle!

a

Buddies in the centre

This is the boy who is next scheduled for an eye operation

Seen here is Agilis from Medan, Indonesia. She is in the third year working or rather caring for these kids at the centre. A humble person with definitely, a big heart. Under her tender love care, Ah Hong is getting chubbier from the day he was discharged from IJN. God only knows how much hardship she has gone thru in caring children with medical and physical limitations.

Updated list of children currently staying in the centre

Part of a monthly fixed commitment, school fees of RM1,835.00 for children attending Special School around Klang Valley

Letter of Appeal from the Centre

In this Christmas Greetings, let us share the spirit of joy and sharing, bring about love and peace to this world
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

My previous postings of Handicapped and Disabled Children's Association of Klang:
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2007/03/dont-cry-when-you-see-them.html
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2007/03/handicapped-and-disabled-childrens.html
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2007/05/wesak-day-charity-bazaar.html
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2007/07/test-from-god.html
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2007/09/ppkkck-kasih-sayang-charity-dinner.html
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2007/10/persatuan-penjagaan-kanak-kanak-cacat.html
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2008/04/pusat-penjagaan-kanak-kanak-cacat-klang.html
http://sanctuaryofhope.blogspot.com/2008/05/persatuan-penjagaan-kanak-kanak-cacat.html

Remembering my sister

In Ever Loving Memory
Yap Chee Bee
1962-1998

We have moved our sister, Chee Bee, to a new home two days ago, that was on Monday, 14 December, 2009 to Nirvana Shah Alam Memorial Park, Tang Villa 2.

We pray that she will like this new place, as her old place was located some distance away and we thought that she might be lonely there.

Since Tang Villa is so close by to our homes, both my brothers and myself thought that we could visit her more often.

The feeling is still so strong, memories are still so fresh. Although her departure was 11 years back but every part of the event happened just like yesterday. My Sister lost her battle to cancer. It was a painful experience to all of us, losing her from our lives left a permanent void, but our love for her is eternal.

Make This Christmas Special

During this festive season of giving and sharing, many will look for places to spend time with family members and their loved ones.

Why not throw a unique suggestion to the children and give them a chance to demonstrate the compassion in them.

Firstly is to tell them to pick a choiced home, and then start planning ahead of the visit i.e: start collecting their old toys, used clothes, stationery, story books, open up their piggy bank and let them decide how much they wish to donate to their friends in the orphanage.

Lastly, help them draw a greeting card that carry a warm Christmas cheer to the friends that will celebrate the day without their parents.

We often do this with our kids and we realized that overtime, it becomes their way of life by thinking of the less fortunate and appreciate their own blessed life even more. Most importantly, we want to instill love, kindness and compassion in them from young.

Here are some homes with their wish-lists and are awaiting your visit:

STEPPING STONE LIVING CENTRE

Lot 102-C, Jalan Sungai Dua, Taman Seputeh, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-2260 2290 or 016-385 8161 (Pastor Johnson).

The centre was started by Pastor Johnson in November 1998. Together with his wife and friends, they began the task of cleaning and repairing a deserted house in Taman Seputih which is now home to 100 orphans aged between three and 21 years. The home has one hostel for girls, two hostels for boys, one home for pre-schoolchildren and an additional home for old folks.

Wishing for: Urgently needs school material, including uniforms and shoes, for the children before school starts in January.

* Sponsorship of the school-going children as the home cannot afford the school fees.

* Clothes and shoes. Well-wishers can call the home and they will be furnished with the children’s ages and sizes.

·Plasticware (pails/tubs)

CITY REVIVAL BOYS AND GIRLS HOMES

No. 7, Jalan USJ20/1E (Boy’s Home) and No.2 Jalan USJ11/1D (Girl’s Home), UEP Subang Jaya. Tel: 03-5636 1546, crcsb@cityrevival.org.my

The homes are part of the City Revival Community Services Bhd and the board of directors comprise Pastor Suresh Sundram, Dr James Sadandan and Bernard Teh. It was started in July 2006 as a community project of the City Revival Church in Subang Jaya to help needy children. There are 14 boys and three girls. The girl’s home was opened in February. Each home is supervised by house parents. The children’s daily activities include prayer, recreation, studies and house chores, besides excursions (some of which are sponsored) on weekends and holidays.

Girls’ wishlist: The girls from City Revival Girls Home hope to get new bags, educational toys and books this Christmas.

Wishing for:

·Educational toys.

·Books.

·Futsal shoes.

·Pants.

·School bags.

·RO water distiller

·Two stand-fans

·Single-bed mattresses.

·Volunteers to provide tuition and chaperone outings.

CORNERSTONE HOME

No. 2, Jalan Bukit Semenyih 6, Taman Bukit Semenyih, Semenyih. Tel: 03-8723 2028 or 019-254 0028 (Angie Retnam).

Founded in 2003, the home is struggling to make ends meet. According to former nurse and Malaysian Care employee Angie Retnam, 56, Cornerstone needs RM10,000 monthly for maintenance. The rental of RM1,000 for the two double-storey units is taken care of by a church.

The home shelters 10 boys and four girls aged between two and 15 years.

“We depend on public donations, we do not have any patron who donates consistently,” Retnam said.

Wishing for:

·Provisions

·School supplies such as shoes, socks, bags, uniforms, stationery and books.

RUMAH KASIH

No. 14, Jalan SS3/84, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 012-288 5560 (Association president Peter Raj).

Established two years ago and is being run by the Kasih Welfare Association. The home houses 17 girls between the ages of seven and 17 who come from broken homes. The home, in a rented property, has two house-mothers taking care of the children and a driver to ferry the children to school, tuition and other activities. Operating expenses come up to RM144,000 annually.

Wishing for:

·Foodstuff.

·Clothes.

PRECIOUS CHILDREN HOME

No. 11, Lorong 3/57A, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 016-361 4733 (Evelyn).

The home has 19 children, four to 14 years old, who came from broken homes and those rescued from the streets.

Home administrator Evelyn Robert says the home has been looking for cupboards from suppliers and second-hand shops but had yet to find affordable and durable ones. The children, especially the boys, are presently using plastic boxes to keep their belongings.

Wishing for:

·Cupboards for the children’s belongings.

TRINITY CHILDREN’S HOME

No. 5, Jalan Bukit Menteri Utara 7/4, Petaling Jaya. Tel: 03-7958 5313 / 016-242 7775.

After moving out from Taman Kanagapuram last year due to complaints from neighbours, Mary Moses finally found a place for the kids to call home. Their previous home was situated in a dense neighbourhood and some could not bear the noise made by the children. The home has about 20 children now, aged six to 15 years and are mostly siblings abandoned by their divorced parents. Rental for the bungalow has doubled since they moved in but the house is definitely in a more suitable location.

Wishing for:

·Television set.

·Bedsheets and blankets.

·Sofa set.

·Bicycles for children.

SAIVA SIDDHANTA MALAYSIA (AMBU ILAM WELFARE HOME)

2258, Jalan Permata 22, Taman Permata, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-4107 2809 (Arunasalam Koothan / Tharmothran Muthusamy).

The home has about 30 children aged 7 to 16 years. Most are orphans and from broken homes as well as children of single mothers. Wishing for:

·Provisions like food.

·School items.

·Clothes.

ANGELS CHILDREN’S HOME KUALA LUMPUR

No. 126, Jalan Hujan Gerimis 2, Overseas Union Garden, 5th Mile, Jalan Kelang Lama, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-7983 2126 / 016-629 2933 (Belinda Chew).

The home has 12 children between eight and 12 years old. Most of them are abandoned or underprivileged children. The home was set up in May 2004 and requires about RM6,000 a month to keep going. The home sources its income from sponsors and through its own charity sales and events.

Wishing for:

·Daily essentials.

·Clothes, shoes and bags.

SHEPHERD CENTRE FOUNDATION

Taman Aik Ann, Semenyih, Selangor. Tel: 019-266 2525 (Pastor Jacop) / 016-317 3985 (Pastor Joseph).

Founded by Pastor Jacob and his wife Bridget David in 1993 and was officially registered in 2000, to provide care and love for destitute children. The home started with two children, and now has 97 children. The youngest is aged 18 months and oldest is 22 years old. So far, over 200 children have benefitted from the home which is managed by a Board of Trustees. Daily work is done by 15 staff. Its monthly expenditure is RM78,000. Referrals to the orphanage comes from the Social Welfare Department, police, hospitals, churches, prison departments, NGOs, individuals, foreign embassies and the children’s relatives. The foundation runs a Toddler’s Home, Boy’s Home, Girl’s Home, Terminally Ill Children’s Home and Skills Training Centre.

Wishing for:

·Two laptops for the four college students at the home.

RAPHA CHILDREN’S HOME

No 1, Lorong Air Putih 68 (off Jalan Beserah), Kuantan, Pahang. Tel: 09-568 1040.

Rapha, which means “healing” in Hebrew, was founded on Aug 27, 1998, by the Kuantan Pastors and Leaders Fellowship under the chairmanship of Rev Richard Ong and is now home to 28 children aged between three and 19 years. Its objective is to provide care for underprivileged and abused children as well as orphans. It is manned by five full-time staff,— a supervisor, a chef, a driver and two workers. The home is overseen by a committee comprising a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary, treasurer and five board members. Election of its board members is held every two years. Rapha has been organising fundraisers every year to raise money to sustain its operations. Supervisor Grace Yeap said the centre depended entirely on donations. Among the children at the home presently are four siblings, including a pair of twins who were finally united at Rapha after being separated when they were toddlers due to family problems.

Wishing for:

·Education sponsorship, especially at tertiary level.

·Foodstuff such as meat, milk powder, instant noodles, eggs and cooking oil, and beverages

·Washing detergent and dishwashing liquid.

THE SALVATION ARMY CHILDREN’S HOME

No. 138, Jalan Uplands, Kuching, Sarawak. Tel: 082-248234

& THE SALVATION ARMY BOYS HOME

Jalan Ban Hock, Kuching. Tel: 082-242 623.

Established in 1950 to care for children from deprived backgrounds, it currently looks after 59 children aged from two to 19 years. The majority are of primary school age, while 12 of the children aged six and below are in the Home’s nursery section. Superintendent Major M. Kamala said most of the children came from broken homes or have single parents. Some of them have disabled parents or come from poor families. At the Home, the children receive a balanced programme of activities from education and healthcare to recreation, counselling and spiritual guidance. Volunteers visit the Home to organise activities such as games and tuition. The Salvation Army also runs a Boys Home at Ban Hock Road to care for teenage boys. Generally, boys from the Children’s Home are transferred to the Boys Home when they turn nine. In the Boys Home, they learn carpentry, fish rearing and other skills and also receive support for their studies at school.

Wishing for:

·Washing machine

·Laminating machine

·Primary school workbooks and secondary school reference books

·Children’s books for the nursery

·Dining room tables

·Play equipment or games suitable for groups

·A4 and coloured paper (for school projects)

·School uniforms

·Shoes

·Toiletries such as deodorant and shampoo.

RUMAH DAMAI OLD FOLKS HOME

1526-D, Taman Kelana Setia, off Jalan Ibrahim, Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu. Tel: 09-626 1618.

The Christian-run home is caring for more than 30 old folks. Caretaker Patrick Yap Kok Weng said residents are ferried to and from church service and clinics for check-ups. The Nissan C20 is over 25 years old and breaks down frequently. When the van is out of service, the home’s frail residents have to be sent by taxis to the church and clinic.

Wishing for: A roadworthy van.

HAPPINESS CENTRE (BAHAGIA MENTALLY HANDICAPPED CHILDREN CENTRE)

No. 4803-C, Taman Anggerik, Klebang Kecil, Malacca. Tel: 019-752 8949 or 06-336 4561 (Roy or Nancy); www.happinesscentre.org.my

Roy Collar set up the centre in 2000 as a safe haven for intellectually- and physically-challenged children who have been abandoned or are from very poor families. Most of these children have multiple disabilities ranging from cerebral palsy, polio paralysis and speech impairment to blindness and mental disorders. There are currently 35 children at the centre.

Wishing for:

·Clothes

·Diapers in children (XL) and adults sizes

·Single fitted bedsheets

·Water heater

·Washing machine (12 kg)

·Blender

PERSATUAN IBUBAPA MUHIBAH MELAKA

No. 11-A, Jalan Pegaga 1, Taman Merdeka, Batu Berendam Malacca. Tel: 016-968 4463 or 017-279 6621 (Andiene or Loy).

Founded by Angela Kong and Adriene Ang in 2007, this non-governmental association provides assistance and guidance to single parents, the underprivileged, senior citizens and the disabled irrespective of race. Besides providing food and aid, the association also provides training to single mothers to help them become self-sufficient. There are currently 48 members.

Wishing for:

·Groceries including infant milk.

·Diapers for children and adults.

·Clothes for children and adults.

·Bicycles (for children to commute to school).

·Sewing machines.

·Confectionary ovens.

·Wheelchairs.

·Spectacles or vouchers for prescription glasses.

·Cooking utensils (for single mothers operating food stalls).

CALVARY GRACE HOME

No. 1-B, Jalan Mustapha, Johor Baru, Johor. Tel: 07-227 9697; www.pkk.org.my

Opened in 2004 by the Johor Baru Calvary Welfare Centre, it is a safe haven for 49 women with various problems. Home supervisor Josephine Subramaniam, 44, said only 40% of the

Rsidents get visits from their families. Some of the women here suffer from schizophrenia and depression while others have Down Syndrome. The centre runs solely on public donations, which is tax-exempted.

Wishing for:

·Volunteers.

BUKIT HARAPAN

Inanam, Sabah. Tel: 088-424 567.

The non-profit organisation founded by social worker Anne Keyworth to provide care for the physically and mentally disabled as well as train them to be self-dependant and useful citizens. It also provides counselling and aid to the abused, neglected children and their parents. The NGO was registered on Nov 8, 1989 under the Trustees Ordinance Act in Sabah. Located about 8km from Kota Kinabalu, the home is sheltering more than 40 children and women.

Wishing for:

·Playground equipment.

SUNBEAMS HOME FOUNDATION

No. 54, Jalan Bunga Melor 16A, Taman Mawar, Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03-4296 2186 / 0867 / 3940 / 7030 (Pastor Alvin Tan Ooi Seng, chairman).

The home has about 127 children between two and 22 years old. Most of them are from broken homes, victims of abuse and children of single mothers. It requires RM80,000 monthly to maintain.

Wishing for:

·Clothes, shoes and stationery.

KIDS HOME

No. 1, Jalan USJ 1/2L, Subang Jaya, Selangor. Tel: 012-661 0650 (Roy Tan, vice chairman).

Since 1991, Persatuan Rumah Kanak-Kanak Ini Di Sayangi (Rumah KIDS) has been a loving home for orphans, abused and abandoned children. Here, the young lives find peace and security. They settle into a routine of study and play, supervised daily by the house parents. Besides providing for the children’s basic needs of food, clothing, shelter and education, KIDS Home also cares for the spiritual and mental development of every child. Presently, it shelters over 60 children in four separate houses (two in Klang and two in Subang Jaya) with the help of seven staff and two part-time workers as well as volunteers.

Wishing for:

·Toys

·Clothes

·Shoes

·Wristwatches

HANDICAPPED & MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN CENTRE

A4784, Jalan Tengku Muhammad, Alor Akar, Kuantan, Pahang. Tel: 09-567 8245.

Due to the rising cost of living, the Handicapped & Mentally Retarded Children Centre is facing difficulties in its upkeep. Centre supervisor James Perumal said the home had survived the past 12 years due entirely to generous Malaysians from all walks of life. Previously, individuals and companies had donated every month but in recent times, the donations are mostly received only during festive seasons. The centre, housed in rented premises, is nearing its capacity of 35 residents. There are now 22 men and nine women, aged between 15 and 54. Only 12 of them are paying residents as family members of the remaining are either too poor or had abandoned them. The centre opened on May 19, 1997, with seven paid staff but due to costs, only three have been retained to cook for the residents and bathe them, and clean the house. It is in urgent need of adult diapers (free size or L).

Wishing for:

·Foodstuff.

·Electrical products such as television and electric fans.

·Volunteers to keep them company and cheer them up.

SERI MENGASIH CENTRE

Tanjung Aru, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Tel: 088-223 221.

It is a special developmental centre providing a comprehensive range of training programmes for the intellectually disabled and services for their families.

It was established in 1981 as the first special school in Sabah for children whose special requirements could not be met in mainstream schools. The project was initiated by a group of volunteers in collaboration with Sabah Mental Health Association and established by a board of management. A footballers’ changing room at the Likas Sports Complex was used to start the first class for 10 children aged six to 12 years. The pioneer staff consisted of three teachers, a general helper, and a Cuso (Canada) volunteer worker as its first principal.

Wishing for:

·A self-contained square mobile booth to serve as a sales outlet for products made by vocational trainees.

·A house or apartment near a bus stop to train adult students to live independently within the community.

·A van to transport students and teachers.

·Heavy-duty plastic chairs.

·Stand fans.

·DVD players as teaching aids.

·Sports equipment (footballs, volleyballs, etc)

RURAL CHILDREN, SARAWAK

via Good Shephered Church, Marudi. Tel: 019-825 5017 (Rev Fr Robert Muyang); & St Francis Centre, Belaga. Tel: 019-483 0200 (Rev Fr Sylvester Ding).

The Catholic church is helping to collect items from donors to be distributed to children from rural areas in Sarawak. The Orang Ulu and Penan children are from poverty stricken families of farmers and jungle-collectors, most of whom live in longhouses deep in the remote interior of Baram and Kapit districts.

Wishing for:

·Cakes, soft drinks, candies, chocolates

·Soft toys

·Stationeries including watercolour sets, colouring books, diaries, pens and pencils.

THE LOVE FOUNDATION - HOME FOR DISABLED CHILDREN

Jalan Rogayah, Taman Iskandar, Johor Baru, Johor. Tel: 07-333 8044 or 012-789 3839 (Eric).

The centre founded by Eric Tay Leng Kiong cares for more than 30 special children, who suffer from Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and autism. Its RM20,000 monthly operating costs include the salaries of 10 staff to provide care and attention to the children.

Wishing for:

·Groceries.

A Place To Call Home For HIV Patients

This is an excerpt from one of our local dailies, The Malay Mail dated 20th July, 2009.

I first came across this news from Ustaz Amin's Blog sometime back and has a strong desire to blog about this stunning news. And today, I would like to commemorate The World Aids Day (1st December 2009) by placing the excerpt for readers who might have missed the story.

QUOTE:

The Malay Mail

By : Masami Mustaza

Monday, July 20th, 2009

The Welcome Community in Batu Arang -

an after-care home for HIV patients run

by a Catholic group in Batu Arang

RAZAK stands quietly by the window and looks out, his gaze searching a distant past that nobody else can see.

He thinks about a time when he had a family and people he could always return to. But for a long time now, these things have been non-existent due to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Razak, 47, from Taiping, Perak, was diagnosed with HIV in 1991. He admitted to being a drug abuser in his younger days.

"I had a friend who was diagnosed with HIV but despite that, I still shared a needle with him. I know I was reckless but I was young then and didn't think much about the risks," he said.

A few months later, Razak was sent to Pudu jail for stealing from a supermarket. He discovered he had HIV after a health screening at the jail. In the following years, he was in and out of jail seven times, mostly for committing petty theft.

The "death" sentence, however, failed to deter him from continuing to use drugs. Meanwhile, he supplemented his drug habit with various jobs, waitering at hotels and even working as a security guard until he was fired
when his employers found out about his illness.

By 1998, his health had worsened and he was constantly in and out of hospital. When not hospitalised,
Razak spent his days seeking refuge under bridges in the city and going back to his drug habit to forget his
sorrows.

"There were days when I felt that I really wanted to die. There were days when I desperately wanted to live. I was in a never ending battle against my cravings for drugs every time I was out of hospital," said Razak.

Finally, deciding that he needed a long-term solution to be "clean" for good, he took up the hospital's recommendation to stay at the Welcome Community Home in Batu Arang, Selangor, where he is today.

The after-care home for those diagnosed with HIV is run by Catholic Welfare Services. Its 37 inmates, aged between 20 and 60, have no place to return to and no one to care for them.

"I've not seen my family since finding out that I had HIV. My wife refuses to answer my phone calls. It's the same with my two grown sons. But why should I be surprised? I left them when they were very young. I did nothing for them. No wonder they have no love for me," said an inmate called Yahya.

"I also can't hope to ask much of them when I had caused them so much difficulty in the past."

It is the same with Razak, whose mother and younger sister live in Rawang.

"My mother has accepted my illness but not my sister. She will not speak to me or see me. Mother comes to see me twice a year but it's difficult for her. She's so old and she still needs to earn a living," said Razak.

Razak and Yahya are with 35 other inmates of various races at the welfare home.

Most got HIV through sharing needles and some through sexual intercourse. Many have criminal records.
However, at the home, the men are united and comforted by the only people in the world who can understand their pain and suffering.

And with the uncertainty of when they will finally succumb to the illness, many turn to their faith to find peace within themselves.

While they are happy with the treatment and care given to them at the home, nevertheless a few of those of the Islamic faith have professed some discomfort in performing their religious duties as the home has pictures of Jesus and Mary and symbols of the Cross.

Muhamad Abdullah, or Ustaz Amin as he is usually known, discovered the Muslim inmates' predicament
when he was called to give a talk at the home a month ago.

"The home's administrators have done a commendable job, providing for the religious needs of the Muslim inmates by providing a room converted into a surau and also driving them by van to the mosque for Friday prayers.

"However, some of the inmates have informed me of their concerns pertaining to performing their religious
duties and so, I had an idea to set up a home for HIV patients who are Muslim," said Ustaz Amin, who is also a trustee for the NGO Yayasan Al-Ijabah.

The foundation, originally set up for orphans, has recently acquired a rented house in Subang Jaya to accomodate six HIV positive persons.

A few are from the Welcome Community Home. The men, who are at the home called "Darul Uquwah", are in
better health and can move about independently.

The operation of the centre is assisted by Haliza Abdul Halim, 48, who also runs a shelter home for women with social troubles in Subang Jaya. Part of the initiative to set up the home, said Ustaz Amin, was also because there is no other HIV patient home dedicated to Muslims.

What is HIV?

HIV or the human immunodeficiency virus can lead to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), a condition in humans in which the immune system begins to fail, causing life-threatening opportunistic infections.

The four major routes of transmission are unprotected sexual intercourse, contaminated needles,
breast milk and transmission from an infected mother to her baby at birth. Screening of blood products for HIV has largely eliminated transmission through blood transfusions or infected blood products in the developed world.

There is currently no vaccine or cure for HIV or AIDS. The only known method of prevention is avoiding exposure to the virus. However, a course of antiretroviral treatment administered immediately after exposure, referred to as post-exposure prophylaxis, is believed to reduce the risk of infection.

They now have somewhere to go

A CATHOLIC Welfare Services project, the Welcome Community Home in Batu Arang, is an aftercare home for HIV patients who have nowhere else to go.

The home has operated since 1995 and moved to its current location in April last year from another location nearby.

Its administrator, Anthony Gomez, said the home has a maximum occupancy of 43 persons and currently houses 37 men of various races and religions who were referred to the home from Sungai Buloh Hospital or the local prisons.

SUPPORT: The Muslim HIV patients at Welcome Community Home in Batu Arang

The home is run by two administrators, including Gomez, and 17 employees, including six assistant caregivers. It currently employs a full-time nurse and will have two more soon.

The inmates are treated well and without prejudice. Inmates are free to practise their own religion and on days when they are required to attend to prayers at their respective places of worship, they are chauffered to those places.

Food is also well taken care of. A Muslim assistant caregiver is tasked with the grocery shopping and to cater for the Muslims and the Buddhists. No beef or pork is served at mealtimes.

The running cost of the centre is RM438,000 annually out of which, a funding of RM226,000 comes from the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry via the Malaysian AIDS Council. Gomez described the inmates as being “close-knit” and having “the best peer support”.

“Despite the differences in their background, they have each other to rely on and that helps them to overcome their hurdles in battling HIV. We have three inmates who, when they came here for the first time, were wheelchair-bound but with the care that they received and the support of their peers, are able to walk again,” said Gomez.

There are depressing days for the inmates as well, especially when a fellow inmate passes away.

“Last year we lost seven inmates who were already in the terminal stage of the disease. Everyone was very down for many days.”

UNQUOTE