Rumah Charis @ OUG

Rumah Charis consist of 2 old folk home (male and female), an kids home, and another old folks home in Penang. This home is located near to OUG.

For more info please visit their website: Rumah Charis

It is our first time to here, none of us know the way. We purely depend on GPS. Luckily the GPS work perfectly this time. We reach at local hypermarket and noticed that the price is not as good as compare to those hypermarket outside. After done with shopping we proceed to the home.

We went to the Old Folks home first as per requested by their guardian. Somehow, GPS brought us to Kids Home.

Charis Kids Home
It is a double story bungalow. We were greeted by a granny and a veteran uncle.


Note: Our small contributions for the Kids Home

After unloading the groceries, granny bring us around the place and show us around.


Note : This is their computer room

I think this should be the recreation room. They have 2 organ there.


They have their own playground, 2 treadmill and a massaging chair. The home is really well maintained.

Since it is Sunday, most of the kids went to church except for non-christian kids. They have tendered the land, and now paying housing loan around $7k per month. The total cost of the banglow is around $1.6Mil.

Charis Old Folks Home
It is just 5 min drive from Kids Home, but this time the GPS gave way...but with the granny's help, we manage to arrive.

Note : Our small contribution
We were greeted by the grannies as it was the female home. When Rumah Charis was established, they started with this old folks home. Those granny were friendly and sociable. They tell us a lot of thing like how it started, how it operate, etc.

A granny even show us around inside the house. There are 2 house connected, front(female) and back(male). This home is a very typical house, not as luxury like what we have seen in the Kids home. They told us, sometimes if the kids is naughty, they will be send to stay with the old folk for weeks. Actually not too bad, coz the old folk like kids.

One thing good about this home is the resident have total freedom to choose for their religion. This home is not funded by any religion. But I heard it was establish by a rich man.

Bad thing about this home is it only have 1 race, Chinese. They have a good management and their stock is good (I can see they have a lot of stocks in their store room)

We enjoyed the moment talking to the granny. Again most of the resident went to church, so those left are non-christian.

Below is our collection breakdown for May 2010.
Total Donor: 27
Donation: $1350
Tara Bhavan: $240
Warga Emas: $600
Rumah Charis: $510

2nd visit to Persatuan Warga Emas

We came here last month. For this round, we allocated 50% of our budget (RM600) for this trip


Note : The list of food items we donated this round. Take note the battery below is not part of the donation, just happen to be there.

We collected a total of $1350 with 27 donor and below is the item spent:-
Total spend $600.43


After our first visit, my perception of the place changed. My initial perception was those resident were just hiding there, to get free shelter and free food. However, in reality it is not. I was touch by the owner of the home and her family who keen on running the home on their own expense. I just want to help the home owner. When we reach to the home this time, I requested to visit inside. Our first visit, we only talk at the porch.

As I walk in, I can smell the smell of urine. The home is not big, some need to sleep on the living room, and we noticed there are ample of mattress stacking up. I guess its when there are too many people around, everyone can just take the mattress and bunk in. I can only imagine at this hot weather, how would these people sleep at night.


A left hand room with 2 old folk taking nap. 2 different race can live together under the same room. Both of them are just lying there, waiting for their time...



In the living room, an old Indian granny was lying there. The guardian told us that she has not been eating for few days. They just feed the granny with water and oat. Guardian told me granny is actually waiting for her time. Its painful to see this when you know something is coming, but helpless and can't do anything.

At the extended porch, there was an old man who had his legs amputated sitting there with his back facing us. He was actually sitting on his bed, located there. If the weather is hot, he will be roasted. If it is raining, he will get wet. The place is small and not enough place so they have to comply.


Note: Chief Photographer Officer finally got the camera dates right!

The above is the tenant list which consist occupants from both sexes and 3 races. I guess this is 1Malaysia that it is not seen where all of them live together peacefully. I planned to get a wheel chair the next time, hopefully for their mobility. But will check with them first.

Price Comparison

I remember this site was launch for price comparison for Msian for smart buyer. Here you can compare price from all the supermarket and get the best deal. We tried compare the price, but after some considerations, it just impossible to run 3-4 places just to get cheaper price. In terms of time, traveling cost, it may not make sense for us to run multiple sites.

However, I think if you have the time to check out all the prices, it should come to good use. But I am not aware if the prices are updated or not, so use at your own risk.

Tara Bhavan (again)

On our last visit to Tara Bhavan, 1 of the guardian told me, they really need to washing machine. I just say I try to spread the words.

On 22/Apr/2010, I posted this on my FB - Who wish to donate a workable washing machine to charity, please contact me. I will arrange for the pickup.

Somewhere in May, my friend contacted me. Her deceased grandpa have a quite new washing machine. Since it is for charity, her dad give us a really irresistible offer - $200. A brand new will cost $799. Too bad the washing machine is at her uncle house, and he hardly at home and not contactable. And my friend insisted to test it to make sure it is workable before sending to the home.

On 8/May/2010, at night time Mr Cheong (my friend's dad), he goto his brother (my friend's uncle) house again. Waited long time for him to show up.

At 11:30pm - I still didn't hear anything from my friend, I already inform everyone to change plan to Klang old folk.
At 12:00am - Miracle happened! My friend contacted me. Say that the washing machine is fully workable and can collect by next day.

Early next morning, I called Tara Bhavan to arrange for transport and inform my donor about the change in plan. Today (9/May/2010) Tara Bhavan have an event to celebrate mother's day. They are free after 1.30pm onward. Due to the last minutes notice, many of my donor cannot make it this time as they need to celebrate Mother's day too.

I would like to apologize to all my donor about all the changes in the plan, as I try to maximize all your donation to do more charities and fix a date where most of the donor can participate.

This month we have overwhelming response from public, where we have more than 25 donors. We will plan for 2 more charity on 16/May and 23/May.

Below is the expenses for Tara Bhavan

Item	Amount
Washing Machine	$200
Petrol money for van driver	$40

After installed the washing machine, I say good bye to the guardian. She put her palm together like the picture below and greet me back with a bow. Gosh! I m just a small chip, she don't need to give me such a high praise. I told her the washing machine is coming from my donors not only me alone. That why I want all donors to go and experience it.


The Washing Machine

Quote....

My life is not that bad after all....

When you stand for what you believe in, you can change the fate!

Be An Angel

Few days ago, Beautiful Gate (Foundation For The Disabled) organized a charity sales event at 1Utama. My friend invited me to attend their "Be An Angel" ceremony opening.

I go there 1 day earlier to meet my friend. When I reach there I got surprised! At first, i thought it will be normal person with disability. But I see 2 person on the wheel chair with their neck on one side, look like mental disorder.

I walk toward the booth, and greeted by 1 of the disabled. After chatting for 10 minutes, I feel like want to slap my face 1000 times!!!

They might look mental disorder, but they are well educated and speak perfect English! I feel so bad judging them with the first look. ARGHH!!!! (now you know why I wanted to slap my face 1000 times!!!- so I will use my heart to see people instead of using only my eyes)

I feel so lucky, that I talk to them and see the beauty side from them. Many of them having brain damage due to high fever when young. They are just like normal people, just can't control their limb so properly.

If you can try to join the event below, get to know them and you will unlock the hidden treasure between you and them.
Be An Angel here

Good Samaritan Home

After we finished visiting the old folks home, we proceed to the orphanage where we also drop the required food stuff such as spaghetti sauce (only realized that we forgot to buy the spaghetti!!). When we arrived, no one was there as they were in church. We had conversation with the Indonesian maid and ask how are things over here.


As we are about to leave, there was about 12-15 packs of soft drinks (1 dozen bottle each pack) ......with expiry date June 2010. Honestly, we just feel that its morally wrong to dump things at orphanage under the pretext of donation.. :(

Persatuan Warga Emas @ Klang

As we did not manage to do our contribution last month due to tight schedule, we did 2 places this round. One was an orphanage and also an old folks home. Both are located in Klang and both are a stone throw away from each other. We meet up at 1pm and proceed to Tesco to buy our groceries. We bought the usual such as rice, washing powder, cooking oil, noodle, dish washer, softener, canned food, soap, dried bee hoon, maggie mee, tooth paste, etc

Note :- Chief Photographer Officer forgot to set his camera date, hence the team was all 1 year younger when we did this...

For this round, we have a budget of RM400, hence initial thought was sufficient for 2 places. But it was really not enough as when we were really calculating every single item due to our limited budget, compared to our previous purchase where we just keep putting the foods into the trolley! I guess for future contribution, the only way is to increase the number of contributor with @RM50 each.

The location is nearby Hin Hwa School, and its is run by an Indian lady, which has about 30 occupants. The home is a corner house, with rental of RM1000 per month. As this is a private initiative by the housekeeper's husband, they had earlier spent their own money for the house renovations and its running with limited resources. Currently, most of the residents are 'routed' from the Klang General Hospital, as most of them do no have IC... yes, no IC and no relatives. Some resident's relatives does provide financial contribution. The place is clean, well kept and funded from donations and well wishers. While we were there, most of them are watching TV on a Sunday afternoon.

As budget is limited, they do not hire extra help and the housekeeper's son volunteer to help around the place. The housekeeper also mentioned that they have been requesting from Welfare Department since the last 8 years...with lots of interviews and still waiting for the approval for funding. So, guys....1Malaysia, what are you guys waiting for?!


Editor's Note : To get more details so that we can contact local MP for help.

Lai always wonder why old people end up in the old folks home. For orphan, they don't have choice. They are small and dependent. Kids just got dump there for no reason, well, by irresponsible parents - maybe. So Lai was interested to find out the answer - why old folk end up in old folks home.

Answer to Lai question:
Old folk just got dumped into there with no reason, just like the kids, when they are old and dependent. Next question, when they are young, they should do something about it.

Tara Bhavan home

Ehem, sorry I can't control myself, please allow me to sing first.
♫♫I gotta feeling that today’s gonna be a good day
That today’s gonna be a good day
That today’s gonna be a good good day..... ♫♫♫
yeah!!!!!!

A BIG Thanks to our 7 generous donor. Your generosity had bring a BIG warm smile to 30 kids and 7 workers from the home.

2pm, we gather @ The Store supermarket, and start to do our shopping. This time the list is very long, and we only have a certain budget to spend. We plan it out very carefully and spend wisely.

We reach Tara Bhavan around 4pm.

The home is split into 2, boys home and girls home.

Item that we deliver

1. Milo & Nescafe
   
2. Rice
   
3. Milk powder, condense milk
   
4. Curry powder
   
5. Instant noodle
   
6. Cooking oil
   
7. Tooth paste
   
8. washing powder & soap
   
9. Disposable diaper
   
10. baby milk (there are 3 babies there)
    
11. Sugar & salt
    
12. Flour
    
13. Oyster sauce
    
14. Mayonnaise
    

This time we manage to get some time and chit chat with them. We heard what difficulties they facing and thanks to other generous donor, that this home keep running for 11 years.

The workers there often fork out their own money, and take the kids to short holiday or go out for eating.




Most of them were dropped off by their parent or relative, and they never come back...The worker told us that once there is a couple adopting a kid, promise to give the kid a good education. But in fact the kid is forced to wash dishes at restaurant. The worker found it out later, and quickly bring the kid back to Tara Bhavan.

KIDS home

Actually today trip was a bit unplanned due to last minutes notice from Lai. We have to shift to 1 day earlier. We reach Klang at 3.30pm, do some shopping at Tesco. Then we deliver it to KIDS at 5.30pm. It was running late, we don't have chances to do a full visit their home. We only passed them the foods that they need and leave.

Items that we delivered :-

1. Rice & Rice Noodle (Bihun)
   
2. Canned Baked Bean & Sardine
   
3. Milo & Ribena
   
4. Toilet roll
   
5. Packet hotdog
   

Previously when my parent talked to me about doing charity, I will just pass them the money and let them handle it. I thought by giving financial support, it is good enough. I was dead WRONG until I pay a visit to the orphanage. You will experience something really amazing. Those smile from the kids, something that money can't buy. Your sincerity is needed to exchange for it. Next time we will plan to spend more time with them, to get to know them better. Next trip we going for an old folks home (which I m 1500% reluctant to do so, I will give a try hope God will enlighten my stubbornness on this)