On the 24th of July 2011, we, the Youth Cares members had our charity visit for the month of May, and June to Shammah Home which was situated in Butterworth, Penang. We left our house at 2.30pm as we have to reach the home at 4.00pm sharp.
Notice the blue shirt we are wearing? When we reached the home, we met up with the caretaker of the home, Ms. Josephine. The kids were very excited to see us. To start things off, we briefly explained to Ms. Josephine what was our project all about and our main objective in doing this charity visit for her home. Then, we sat down with Ms. Josephine for a little more insight about her home.
Ms. Josephine and her husband started this home approximately 7 years ago. Before that, Ms.Josephine had previously worked as in a children's home in Kuala Lumpur and other states. After her experience in Kuala Lumpur, she decided to open a home. Shammah Home was born, shammah in Hebrew means 'God Ever Present', the name was suggested by her husband. Ms. Josephine and her husb
and have a 7 old daughter by the name,Naomi Patricia.There are 22 children staying there between the ages of 18 months to 19 years old. That includes six orphans and a disabled child. She was saying that she and her husband started the home in a rented house in Jalan Molek in Bagan Ajam with only four children. Later on, they moved to a rented house in Jalan Nilam, Bagan Ajam because the previous home was not good as they faced leakage problem in some parts of the home.
According to Ms. Josephine the home is not funded properly. She only has 3 constant donors, donations received from this donors are barely enough for bill payment. The rest of the expenses are taken up by her. Often times, she would pawn her jewellery in order to settle the home expenses. They need donations for the home rental, utility bills, daily meals and expenses for the children's need in school.
After the talk with Ms. Josephine, we had a small birthday celebration for some of the children. Fortunately, we celebrated a boy's birthday, his name is Theophiles, 9 years old whereby his birthday was on the 8th of July. Then, we served the delicious cake to all of them in the home. They(children) enjoyed the cake. After that, we sat with the children and have a little talk with them. They were very friendly to us. How adorable?!
After the talk with Ms. Josephine, we had a small birthday celebration for some of the children. Fortunately, we celebrated a boy's birthday, his name is Theophiles, 9 years old whereby his birthday was on the 8th of July. Then, we served the delicious cake to all of them in the home. They(children) enjoyed the cake. After that, we sat with the children and have a little talk with them. They were very friendly to us. How adorable?!
Then, we brought down the rations that we had bought for the home. The rations consist of soap powder, toothbrush, milk powder, sugar and many more. We also donated RM100 to the home, for the kids pocket money. Furthermore, we had also donated activity books to the home.
Even with the lack of donors, Ms.Josephine never made the children feel deprived. The home indeed had a very homely feeling.
At 5.30pm, it was time for us to make a move, before leaving we took a group photo with all the children including with Ms. Josephine. After the photo session, we thanked the children and Ms. Josephine for sharing time with all of us and sharing her experiences. Then, we left the home cherished with happiness in all our hearts.
Ms.Josephine's plight as highlighted by The Star newspaper on July 18th 2011
GREAT JOB EVERYONE!!!! =D
Reported by,
Taranee Vig.
