Pusat Warga Emas, Klang - Donation of beds

In response to the blog entry in Jewel in the Lotus, I contacted Wendy and inform that I will get this done. I dropped by the home and asked if they need anything else and was told that they need 5 new pillows. Due to tight schedule, I only manage to go to the furniture shop and get a good deal for the 3 beds and 5 yesterday. I proceed to the home while waiting for the deliver guys to deliver. When I reach there, I have a quick chat with the caretaker. I noticed that there were a few new faces. Guess I have not gone there for a while.

The delivery guys managed to find the location home, quickly and swiftly they setup the beds. It was a quick and easy assembly, which takes about 20 minutes for the whole 3 beds. While assembling the beds, the Ong family arrived with kuih-muih for the elderly. It is small thoughts like this that make a big difference in their daily life. The elderly dont really need fancy stuff, just basic simple things such as a chat or a conversation. Sometimes, we tend to forget they are not just tenants in the old folks home, but humans too, whom need attention and caring. If you ever drop by to any old folks home, remember to bring minyak angin or Tiger Balm. Why? "Fong Sup" la..and based on Wendy and Ong, its a demanding product!

Kuih-muih and red bean pau

No problem finding the location of the house.. start unloading immediately...

5 new pillows...

The new beds

Assembling the beds

Chong helping out...

Caretaker's grandson helping out...

The old man with his new bed, and he cant wait to sleep on it!

Wendy chit chatting with the ladies

For this visit, we spent a lot of time with the caretaker. She taught us a few tricks using plants as traditional medicine and should you need it, I suggest you pay her a visit! :) She also explained to us about the conditions of the tenants, where a new physically able patient just recently moved in due to mental condition. I had a few chat with Chong and I didnt see anything abnormal about it. He spent his time helping the old folks when his help needed or getting instruction from the caretaker. What I understand was he does not stay at the home, but just come for meals. So I guess I will be seeing him around when he goes to his normal wondering. Things may not look normal for him from our perspective, but for him, his life has no worries...

Setting up the new bed

Another new patient, whom I have not him in few of the visits earlier, was a bed-ridden guy. He was sitting up on his bed, with his wheel chair beside him. I was told he woke up early in the morning, does his prayers and listen Buddhist chanting CDs, and being considerate, he puts on his headphone to avoid disturbing the rest of them. What I understand from Ong was he believed that his condition now is because of his previous life's karma. I am not sure if I agree or disagree with his statement, but looking at him, bed-ridden and having calm thoughts, tells you about his state of mind - peaceful. While we start chatting with him, he mentioned that one of the old man had passed away few days before. The old mna had just recently had operation on his knee, and was due to infection, caused a lot pain and instead of screaming or crying, he 'cured' it by singing! The funny thing was, when Wendy ask other tenants where is this old man, they said he has 'gone home' ~ by nature's definition. As with the same as many other similar cases, there is no next-of-kin to reclaim his body. They contacted the funeral parlour to handle the police report and cremation. May he rest in peace.

It caught Ong and Wendy by surprised as they just visited the home on Wesak day. It makes me feel how fragile life is as we wont know what is coming "next", and when it comes, are you ready? We are after all, traveler in this short time frame on earth.... It was told that the he 'came back' on the 7th day of his passing in a thunderstorm night, tapping on the guy who was sleeping in his bed.

Most of them were sitting there, waiting for time to pass when we arrive. 

 

 

 

 

The mattress is really worn off, and the care taker never mention a word when I asked if she need anything else...

This room caters for 5 person and its very hot with the only ventilation fan working. Imagine you go through this daily at this kind of Malaysia weather! The left bed is one of the new beds.

The wooden wall is crack and doesnt look like it will stand the test of time anymore. Luckily got some company who will be rebuilding the whole section again. Kudos!!!

Ong having a chat with the tenants of the home....

Yes, she does read Chinese paper.. ;) Wanted minyak kapak because of fong sup...

Total spent for this visit is RM350 (beds - @RM80x3, pillows - @RM22x5). Receipt will be posted later on.

One thing that I noticed was, the care taker never seems to demand things, even though when I look around the house, there a few beds and mattress needs to be replaced. As we say our good byes, we know that we will be back in the future to see how we can help further. It was an eye opening visit for myself as we spent more almost 2 hours there.

Lastly, I wish to thank our donors, who has entrusted us and gracefully contributed to the fund all this while so that we can do activities like this. Thank you again!