Due to dear Hubby’s work commitment and son’s school activities, we were only able to visit another Home on 11 June 2011. This time, our trip brought us down south, to Selva Rumah Prihatin dan Bimbingan also known as Selva’s Home For the Special Ones, a home in Segamat catering to 20-odd physically and mentally-disabled kids and old folks. We found out about this Home through Hubby’s friend in his hometown. So, we called up Madam Melissa, the Home’s caretaker and made a date to drop by for a visit. We brought with us the things that they desperately needed such as diapers, toiletries and detergents.
Both Melissa and her husband, Selvarajah, used to work as volunteers for such homes in Terengganu, before deciding to return to Segamat, which is Selva’s hometown and set up this Home from their savings. We were told that they applied assistance from the Welfare Department three years ago and is still waiting for approval, despite several visits and assurances from the Welfare Officers. It is also saddening to hear that this Home hardly get visitors or contributions from their own neighbourhood. There are some regular contributors from nearby businesses but the amount received is hardly enough to cover their monthly expenditure which runs up to RM4k per month. For the upkeep of this Home, they have been relying on their slowly-depleting savings and the generosity of some regular contributors, but then how long can their savings last them? This couple’s love for the special kids and old folks here are clearly evident in the way they are being treated, each individual loved and cared for as if own family. Melissa personally cooks for them, wash their clothes and cleans up the house, as they cannot afford a maid. When we arrived, she was in the midst of mopping the extended portion of the back area which the residents use for their recreational activities, such as colouring, playing simple board games or even just relaxing in a lazy chair for the older folks. Two big baskets of clothes are waiting to be hung out and another load drumming away in the washing machine. The residents are unable to help out with the housework due to their physically-handicapped condition.
It was no easy task upkeeping this Home all this years but yet both Melissa and Selva held on, all for the love for these special people whom they regard as family. However, their perserverance are soon tested as they face a bigger obstacle… the threat of losing this rented premise. This house was put up for auction by the Bank in September last year when the owner passed away without settling the loan. In order to save this Home, Selva bidded for this property and managed to secure it temporary with a 10% deposit. They have since been sourcing for financial assistance to settle the balance and even applied for a bank loan. But the odds seem to be against them…
We did not stay long as Melissa needs to start cooking lunch. So, after taking a group photo with them, we bid them farewell with heavy hearts. As our car moved away, we turned our heads to see them still happily waving to us, oblivious to their fate and future… a scene which brings a lump to my throat.
No comments:
Post a Comment