To give is more rewarding than to receive – as always in every humble effort I have attended or been involved in. Albeit our visit to the Ti-Ratana welfare homes in Desa Petaling was brief, it stirred my conscience and made me ponder the future of these underprivileged children. And yet, as again, it made me count my blessings and realised how lucky we were to have parents who could be there for us during the early growing up years.
Ti-Ratana Orphanage
Datin Catherine Lai from Ti-Ratana Penchala Centre kindly spared some of her time to bring us around the Home. After unloading the donated items, we met with Kelvin – a resident who grew up there, made something out of his life and returned as a volunteer. He’s the walking proof that “when life gives you lemon, make lemonade”. In Kelvin’s case, he made more than lemonade (maybe margarita too!) – he recently scored remarkable results in his SPM and is currently pursuing his tertiary education in one of the leading universities in Malaysia. His achievements further assured me that NO, not all the kids there will end up nowhere when they grow up and YES, the vicious cycle can indeed be broken.
Throughout our brief visit there, we saw people from the public dropping by to pass some donated items to the residents there. Datin Catherine mentioned, “The Home gets constant stream of donations from the public. We are always perceived as very well taken care of but what people didn’t know was, these donations are usually one-off. With so many mouths to feed, clothe and care for, the donations run out very very quickly.”
My Husband and little one with Kelvin from Ti-Ratana
According to one of the admin staff there, the Home currently houses over 200 children and teenagers, 90 senior citizens and two to three single mothers. Aside from daily necessities, they are constantly relying on the public’s support on cash donations for the children’s education and medical needs for the aged residents.
The orphanage
The scene at the orphanage was a heart-breaking sight. Because they are not allowed to go out unsupervised and there are no TVs or computers provided, the orphaned teenagers were seen loitering around and just lying on the bed staring into the blank walls, waiting for the time to pass.
The minimalistic condition of the Orphanage
Catherine added, “What these kids need most isn’t materials but rather, parental figures. They don’t have a father or mother as a role model to look upon at. Some of them turned out to be really rebellious as a result. It would be good to have a constant stream of volunteers who would contribute energy and committedly visit, spend time and be there for these children.”
Back in my mind, I hoped these young adults are using their idle time devising plans to attain a brighter and more promising future. Fingers crossed.
We proceeded to the younger age group areas. While these kids – aged from as young as 6 months to 5 years – are well-clothed and well-fed, they certainly lack proper attention. The ratio for caregivers to children were around 1:12, making one-to-one care impossible. Look deep into the eyes of these children and you will see a yearn for love and warmth. Raised in such minimally provided condition, these little ones are tough and accustomed to less-than-comfortable environment. They don’t know what’s real comfort, what’s the best milk brand or if they possess the latest toys. All they need is love, attention and cuddles.
The youngers kids nap on bare floors and have to self-entertain
My heart broke when I saw some of the toddlers around my son’s age, wandering around and trying to soothe themselves to sleep on bare floors – with no pillows, mattresses or whatsoever. They made do with placing both their palms to support their heads. A young infant, aged around eight to nine months old, was seen entertaining herself in a run-down, unkempt cot. There were no activities or toys to keep them occupied. One cried when her playmate snatched her tiny and almost broken colour pencil but no adults ran to her comfort, as they were too busy providing for others.
I asked, why aren’t they given up for adoption to loving families so they can grow up in a proper condition?
Kelvin explained, “Most of them come from single-parent families, where either the parent can’t afford to look after them or are medically unfit. Unless the parent agrees and signs off the papers to give up his/her child for adoption, we have no rights of giving them away.”
A child around three to four years old came to Catherine, gave a puppy-eyed look and asked to be carried. A few moments later while we were chatting, he fell asleep in her arms. The hug probably made his day. That’s how much the kids there yearn for love and bodily warmth.
"All I need is love"
As our car left the Home, I thought of the lucky children I know who live in much comfort, have the best toys, clothes, food and education, and receive unlimited attention from their parents. Yet in another corner of the city – just kilometres away from these lucky kids, there are those unfortunate ones who yearn for something as simple as parental love and attention.
Life really sucks, at times…
A kind deed a day. 
Ray
February 25, 2015
I can provide a caring mummy and loving daddy for these kids, but can they be adopted? There are many childless couples out there, pls. light up their life too. Sad to say, Iam one of them, its sad to see many children yearning for special attention and love which only a true parent can provide. The homes can provide materials, I have seen and been to welfare homes, where you can actually see in the eyes of these children of what they lack most: care and love. Someone whom they can call Mummy or/and Daddy. Its the adults that hinder them from being adopted.
Please think about their most important need which is love and care. Anyone can provide materials but only parents can truly care and love children. I can’t deny that there are parents who take advantage and abuse, but not all. Its these bunch who tarnish the meaning of parenthood.
If you have any child/dren who need to be adorpted, pls. contact me. I am looking forward to 1, 2 maybe 3 children for me. Siblings are also welcomed.
joeyllhow
February 25, 2015
Thanks for your kind thought, Ray. Like you, I thought the same too – these kids deserve love and care from a proper family. Unfortunately the system makes it complicated to adopt. It’s a saddening situation.
Ray
March 10, 2015
There is demand and there is supply, please let them meet and live together. This can make their dreams come true and life would be more meaningful instead of complication caused by system. We have all wasted our lives in one way or another, please don’t waste anymore, prolong or hesitate. Actually, our lives are very short, please make full use of it. Give a chance to someone who really needs it, you will feel the contentment…..where is my baby….when can I be a parent.
Ray
March 10, 2015
The truth is: The so called system do not apply to everyone. Its governed by material gains and politics, truth was never given a chance to apply. That’s why there are a lot of cases of abusing and violence including those involving biological parents. Its saddening indeed……