Better living for the aged, homeless

WITH the assistance of friends, former legal firm clerk Chin Chee Chong, now 80, was sent to live at Pertubuhan Pusat Jagaan Vallalar Penang in Batu Maung, Penang, about three years ago as he could no longer fend for himself.

A bachelor and wheelchair- user who is hearing-impaired, Chin is now one of the oldest residents at the welfare home.

The non-religious centre accommodates 27 Chinese and Indian residents, with their ages ranging from 46 to 82.

The home is registered under the Persatuan Penganut Thiru Arut Prakasa Vallalar Penang.

Certified homeopathy practitioner T. Ravi, 59 founded the home in March 2015 and has been financing it with money earned from treating diabetic patients as well as donations from well-wishers.

The centre also operates a vegetarian food restaurant in Batu Maung to help earn some revenue.

The operational costs come up to about RM22,000 per month. This includes salary of four staff, imported medicines and health tonics for the residents, maintenance of the home, food, clothing, utility bills and maintaining a van to transport residents to hospitals as well as for outings.

“Some of the residents also have to undergo psychiatric treatments and other procedures such as cataract operations,” he added.

Ravi said some of the residents were referred by well-wishers while a few others were brought in by volunteers who found them neglected or abandoned.

Besides the day-to-day running of the centre and overseeing the residents, Ravi is now facing a dilemma as the landowner is planning to sell the land on which the double-storey centre is sited.

Worried about the fate of the home and its residents, he and members of the centre’s board decided to purchase the land to ensure a permanent place for the residents to live in.

“Previously, we operated from another property but had to move out as the building did not comply with certain safety requirements under the law.

“We also decided that we cannot keep moving the residents as most of them are already in their 60s and 70s, with medical issues and partial psychiatric problems while some are also disabled,” he added.

Former factory executive Ch’ng Kim Eng, 62, who has been residing here for the past four years, said he found new meaning in life since coming to this centre.

“I was divorced, had no home and was living outside doing odd jobs for a year before I came to the home.

“This place was recommended to me by Tzu Chi volunteers and ever since then, I have been happy being here, taking care of the others and helping out wherever I can.

“We observe high level of cleanliness at the centre. Liquor and cigarettes are totally banned.

“We are also served only vegetarian food,” he said.

Ch’ng hoped the centre could be expanded to take in more residents and to have other facilities.

Building fund-raising committee chairman R. Sathiaseelan said the home lacked space for the residents’ recreational activities such as gardening, walking and light exercises.

“The landowner has agreed to sell the current premises we are occupying plus an adjacent piece of land for RM700,000.

“So far, an anonymous donor has paid up the 20% deposit and we have to raise the remainder of the funds,” he said, adding that both the land lots totalled 5,000sq ft.

Committee secretary and volunteer S. Vasudevan said with the expansion, the centre could accommodate about 50 to 60 residents.

“We can also have the space for a prayer or meditation hall, landscaped garden and even a library,” he said.

Those who wish to help, can contact Ravi at 016-419 2831 or centre secretary R. Nanthesswaran at 012-964 9622.