Rumah Caring Kajang - What Will Be Its Fate?

19 May 2013  -  A visit organised by 1Month 1Charity brought us to an Old Folks Home located in Kajang, a Home which has been in existence since 2004 but is now facing an uncertain future as complaints from its neighbours may lead to its closure.  The Owner of Rumah Caring Kajang has been served an eviction notice by the Local Town Council due to complaints from its neighbours and despite numerous appeals and support letters from various parties, the Local Town Council holds firm to its Notice, a decision which is forcing Rumah Caring Kajang to cease operation and move out of the current premises by 31 May 2013.

This is a battle to be fought by its Founder and Caretaker, Ms Wendy Yap and while this is ongoing, the daily operation of the Home remains unchanged.  There are food to be put on the tables for its residents, utility bills to be paid and overall, the residents' welfare to be looked after.  Addressing the needs of this Home, 1Month 1Charity, together with friends and volunteers, paid this Home a visit and brought along groceries and other necessities, hoping to lighten this Home's burden in a small way.

Groceries contributed by 1M1C, its volunteers and
friends of the Group

As the visit was scheduled in the afternoon, we thought it would be nice to bring along some paus and chinese dumplings for their tea-time.

Steamed Pau and chinese dumpling from us

Some of the residents enjoying their pau

The ladies enjoying their Chinese Dumpling

Ong assisting this old lady with her food

Located in the quiet neighbourhood of Taman Muhibbah, this Home, occupying two-double storey houses operates primarily as an Old Folks Home with about 30 residents, but has also taken in single mothers with kids.  The senior citizens are housed in the ground floor, men and women separated, while the first floor caters to the single mother and kids.  Generous donors' kind contribution and support made the living condition in this Home one of the better ones which we have visited.

Ong having a chat with the Uncles

This group relies on wheelchairs and walking aids due
to accidents and serious illness

Our arrival, a much bigger group than expected, brought much gaiety to the Home that afternoon. However, as the saying goes; One man's meat is another man's poison - group visits like this which is much welcomed by its residents may be deemed as disturbance by the neighbours.  Some neighbours tolerate this  situation well, but unfortunately some does not share the same tolerance, hence the complaint lodged, which puts the fate of this Home in a limbo.

We chatted with a few of the residents, each of them ended here due to different reasons and under different circumstances. Some carries painful past, while others have already left their memories behind. There are even some with their own dreams, which will be most likely be left unfulfilled. Here, time is not a factor as they have no deadlines to meet, no appointments to keep, no plans to look forward to.  Each day is the same as the other, each morning they wake up to the same routine, to the same faces. So, it's no surprise that they do not even remember the day or date.  I guess, one of the ways to tell when it's a weekend or a public holiday is when they get visits from groups of kind-hearted people.

For some, this Home is a place for them to recuperate from illness, while for others, it is a place which provides roof over their heads and food for their stomach.  For the less-positive-thinking elderlies, it is a place for them to live out the remaining years of their lives in peace.  However, this may all change very soon.  We truly hope for a positive turn of event to this Home's saga so that its residents can continue to stay here and cared for, as they have been all these years.

Mother's Day ... But Do You Still Remember Me?

12 May 2013  -  This year's Mother's Day is both meaningful and special, deepest thanks to a good friend who invited us to share this day with her and her special guests for a Hi-Tea Buffet at Palm Garden Hotel Putrajaya.  Her guests turned out to be 6 lovely elderly ladies from Rumah Jagaan dan Rawatan Orang-orang Tua and their Caretaker, Puan Hjh Muji.  In loving memory and honour of her late mother, Dr Azma decided to bring these ladies out for a rare treat - ladies who are also mothers, but now left forgotten at the Home.  

We arrived early and waited at the Lobby, and soon Puan Muji arrived in her car with 4 of the elderly ladies.  Following behind were Puan Azma and her BFF, Puan Norhayati..., with the rest of the group.  Most of them used walking aid and needed assistance in getting out of the car and walking up the stairs to the Lobby area.  After a brief introduction, the elderly ladies faced another challenge in ascending the stairs to the Buffet Venue.  

Norhayati assisting Makcik Miskiah

Baik-baik ya, Makcik Rokiah

Makcik Cinderella Embun dropped her glass slipper
in her haste to alight from the coach

Our wonderful Hostess, Dr Azma

Resting at the Lobby after the short workout up the
up the stairs to the Lobby area

Salam Nenek...

Being introduced to Puan Muji

The flight of stairs leading to Palms Terrace proved to be
more challenging than the earlier one

Escorting the Ladies to their seats

The curious ladies were then given a tour of the buffet line, where they ooh-ed and ahh-ed over the wide spread of food, beautifully decorated and arranged for their pick.  After making their choice, they were escorted back to their tables and wasting no time in tucking heartily into their food.  Lack of full set of teeth did not deter them from enjoying their meal as they chew and gnawed as best as they could.  The only assistance they seek was in cutting up the beef, chicken and vegetable into smaller bite-size portion. Shelling the prawns were another difficult task for their less-agile fingers. Thanks to dear Hubby's thoughtfulness, a big plate of shelled prawns soon appeared on the table for their enjoyment.  Little Joshua, eager to help as usual, took up the lighter task and handed out spoons and filling up their plates with second helpings and desserts. Watching these ladies enjoy their meal is priceless...

Inspecting the food

Chow-time

Ong cutting up the chicken into bite-sizes

Little Joshua handing out the spoons

Little Joshua delivering Makcik Mami's request for
more prawns

Plates of food, fruits, desserts and cakes were continuously brought to their tables and with little coaxing, the ladies finished it up amidst the chatting and jokes.  The air of gaiety at our table attracted curious looks from other diners and a few even walked up to say hello.  One of them happened to be Ong's ex-colleague who is now the OCPD of Puchong.  

Puan Muji - taking a break from the cooking duties
in the Home today

Makcik Zuraidah

One of the younger member of the Group

Makcik Embun - love that smile

Makcik Rokiah

Makcik Miskiah

Makcik Mami

Makcik Midah 

There was a Cake-Decorating contest and yours truly was called up to participate despite having NO experience in this before.  The result? A messy-looking cake colourfully decorated with chocolate and multi coloured-rice, laced with peaches and almond flakes, and the best part was we get to take our "handiwork" home. Hopefully everyone at the Home enjoyed the cake despite the unprofessional handiwork.

Well, I put in my best effort ...

Before departing for Home, little Joshua presented each Makcik with a gift-bag containing a piece of sarong and a packet of cookies.  Prior to that, we had given them another surprise; an individual photo, which was taken by our Photographer Gary earlier and printed out on our portable printer.  The way they held the photos as if it were some treasured possession shows how much a simple act like that meant to them.

Joshua presenting the Gift Bag

Puan Muji gets her share too

Posing together for Group Photo for remembrance ended this wonderful outing.  We were pleasantly surprised by the Puchong OCPD's  request to take one with them too.  

One with the OCPD

One of my priceless photos

We decided to tag along with Puan Azma to send the ladies home and stopped by for an impromptu visit.  The eye and heart-opening visit was another experience altogether...

The Home

Rumah Jagaan dan Rawatan Orang-orang Tua Al-Ikhlas is housed in an old surau in Kampung Pulau Meranti Puchong.  Founded and run by Puan Muji, its residents comprises of 35 elderly women and 25 elderly men, more than half of them bed-ridden and needs constant care and attention.  With only 4 volunteers, working on shifts, this is no easy task.  The warm condition is expected in such cramped premise, where beds are placed side by side due to limited space.  The men's quarters is much airier as they have less residents and more opening.  

Some are able to sit up and greet us  ...

While some just lain there, lost in their own world  ...

Norhayati has endeared herself to this Makcik

Ong chatting with one of the residents

However, the one thing which both the women's and men's quarters share is, the loneliness and forlorn sadness etched on their faces.  Their eager acceptance of our hands as we go round greeting them and the lighting up of their wrinkled faces as we made small talk with them, all shows how much these elderly folks long for company and attention.  A Chinese Uncle in particular, literally broke down and cry so hard when Puan Muji brought me to his bed.  It turned out that Uncle Chan has been in the Home for 9 years, each day longing and waiting for his daughter to drop by for the visit that never happened.  Coincidentally, he is of Hakka origin, which is my dialect too and he broke down further upon hearing me talk to him in his native dialect.  After spending some time calming him down and settling him down to rest, I moved on to other beds, to other lonely beings, all hungering for the same - someone to talk to.  Another Uncle at the end of the room just moved in a month ago and he told me he won't be staying for long cause his Anak will come to take him home soon ... the question which pops up on my head, will they really come for him if they haven't even visited since they left him there?  Wonder which is more cruel, to leave him there or to leave him with false hopes?  However I remain firm in my belief never to judge when one does not have the full story...

Uncle Chan - sad that my presence evoked such
painful memories in him

Not all the elderly folks ended up here as a result of being abandoned by their children.  Some of them are left here because their children genuinely could not care for them, either physically or financially and some ended up here cause they have no family or place to go to.  Cases referred to this Home by the Government Hospitals usually belong to the latter category.  

No matter how sad their circumstances is, they still have a reason to rejoice for having a roof over their head and food for their stomach, all thanks to the kind mercy of Puan Muji - the Lady with the Golden Heart.

A Day With The MAKNA Kids @ Wet World Shah Alam

1 May 2013  -  This Labour Day was a day of water, food, games, and most importantly, Sharing & Caring. After weeks of preparation and hardwork, Dr. Azma and her angels from Together We Make A Difference (TWMAD), were finally ready for their event "A Day With Kids From MAKNA" at Wet World Shah Alam.  Their aim - to bring cheer and share the pain of cancer-stricken kids from MAKNA.  

The Venue Where the Fun Begins - Wet World Shah Alam

Members of TWMAD, their friends and volunteers arrived early, registration table was set-up, goodie bags, hampers, gifts and additional treats were efficiently carted into the Event Area, and neatly arranged on the stage.  

Preparing the Gift Bag

The Registration Table

The Gift Bags - guaranteed to put a smile on
any child's face

Prizes for the Games

Soon, the arrival of the Kids and their family members added much merriment to the atmosphere.  17 kids, ranging from 4 to 13 years old, suffering from various cancer, walked in shyly with their family members and seated themselves at the tables.  Dr Azma greeted everyone with the customary welcoming speech and assigned members of TWMAD and volunteers, whom she fondly referred to as Abang or Kakak Fasi, to take charge of the Kids so that their families can be treated to a day-off.  The Abang/Kakak Fasi immediately and efficiently assumed the role of Guardian Angel and saw to it that the Kids' needs are well taken care of.

Briefing for the Fasi

The Fasi awaiting to be assigned their Adik Angkat

Our Anak Angkat, Rohaizat from Kajang

Get-to-Know Session with the Kids

Our "adopted son" was a 13-year-old leukemia patient named Rohaizat, which Abang Fasi Gary took under his wing with ease. Although initially shy at first, he soon warmed up to us and by the end of the event, he has endeared himself to us, particularly to Gary and Ong.

Ong sharing a light moment with Rohaizat

Hungry tummies were treated to a delicious Nasi Lemak breakfast, after which the Kids and their Abang/Kakak Fasi proceeded to the Games area and soon shouts of laughter and cheers filled the air.  After finishing 2 fun-filled games involving physical activity, they returned to their tables for the second part of the Games Event; Game 1 - Drinking Straw Creation, Game 2 - Word Puzzle and Game 3 - Newspaper Costume.  Hidden talents were uncovered, future engineers and designers in the making - it was fun to see their family members joining in too.

Gary cheering for Rohaizat

Engineer in the making

Rohaizat's creation

Other creations on display

Word Puzzle

Designer in the making

Nobody told me Batman was attending the event too...

After the Games Event, the Kids were finally allowed to get wet, under the watchful eyes of their Guardian Angels, of course. Meanwhile, Dr Azma and a few volunteers, took a short break to enjoy some cupcakes and cookies.

An hour later, the hungry Kids and their Abang/Kakaks, all wet and smiling, returned to their tables for Lunch.  Winners of the Games were announced amidst cheers and prizes given out accordingly.  Lastly, the Kids were each given a Gift Bag consisting of a small cuddly soft toy and other goodies.  

Announcing the Winners

Models in their respective costume taking a bow

Rohaizat & his Batman walked off with the First Prize

One for the memories - A group photo with the Kids

The Event ended after a heartfelt speech by Dr Azma, thanking all who has contributed to this event, be it in cash, treats, gifts or in manpower and a tribute to the parents of these kids for their patience and love.  Time flies when one is having fun and today is no exception.  The Kids were returned to their parents, they left not only with prizes they had won and gift bags but also with our prayers that they stay strong and get well someday.