A Lesser-Known Orphanage in Seremban

8 July 2011 - Responding to another of Hajjah Ainie’s call to look for an Indian orphanage for her Sponsor’s Back-To-School Program 2012, brought us to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Kanak-Kanak Nanthisar (also known as Nanthisar Home) in Seremban, an orphanage which currently houses 27 kids, 2 babies and 5 single mothers, all Indians.  We heard about this Home from a social worker friend who regularly contributes grocery there.

When we arrived at the Home, we were informed that Madam Latha was out soliciting donations from nearby shops, a regular activity she had to resort to in order to upkeep this Home.  We took this opportunity to look around the place and what we saw tugs at our heartstrings.  This rented single-storey corner unit has only three bedrooms which are occupied by Madam Latha, the single mothers and old ladies.  Worn-out mattresses are laid out in the living and dining area each night for the kids.  We took a peek at the kitchen and the condition there does not leave much to one’s imagination.  We did not notice any bags of rice or other grocery stocked up anywhereabout and the vegetables in the fridge does not look fresh.  The only other electrical appliance in the Home is a TV which is switched on during weekends only. The dining area is bare except for an old kitchen cabinet which the cups and plates are kept.  A Hindu Altar and few book racks occupy the small living room.

The kids seem friendly but shy and trying to engage them in conversation proves to be a challenge due to their poor command and understanding of the English and Malay language.  We noticed that their school bags, mostly hand-me-downs that has seen better days, piled up in a corner of the dining area as there are no proper racks to place them.  They do their studying and homework on a big table in the porch area. 

When Madam Latha returned a short while later, she gave us a briefing of the Home and its history.  Madam Latha informed that she and her husband, Thiagu, started this Home in 2007 with only four kids which has increased substantially in 4 years. Their application to Welfare Department is still pending, so they rely solely on contributions from kind donors but these contributions do not come in regularly, especially of late. We were told that initially, MIC and its members do help them out regularly but these help seem to have dwindled lately. In order to make ends meet every month, Madam Latha and a few single mothers will go out on weekly basis to solicit donations from the public but the amount is not much.  We were verbally told that the Home’s monthly expenditure is around RM5000 per month.  As the Home does not have its own vehicle, they rely on a school bus operator who charges them RM50 per head to transport the kids to school and back.  With 26 kids out of 27 schooling,  preparation for the kids’ new school year is definitely a time to be dthey look forward to. New school uniforms, new shoes, stationery, school fees etc… all this spells “MONEY”.  If the uniform sponsorship is approved, then Project MADE’s timely aid this year will provide a great relief to Madam Latha.  She handed us the list of the kids’ name and age, which she had prepared earlier when informed of the purpose of our visit and of Project MADE’s intention to sponsor school uniforms.  Hopefully, on our next visit we can bring them some good news.

On a more negative note, we find this Home not as well-managed as others, especially in terms of administration.  There are so much more which could be done for both the Home and the kids.  However, despite the Home's shortcomings, we respect Madam Latha for providing these kids with a decent roof over their heads and food to fill their hungry stomachs.  This Home may lack proper furniture and other comfort items, but it certainly does not lack warmth and laughter from the kids.  It is heartwarming to see the way they look out for each other and take care of the younger ones.

Soon, it was time to leave this Home… a Home with an uncertain future, a Home whose only light comes from the kids’ bright smiles.