Hostel ensures students get proper education

Committed caretaker: Pastor Paul teaching the children at Pete Hostel.

KUALA LUMPUR: Pastor Paul Packianathan’s Poverty Eradication Through Education (Pete) Hostel exemplifies the saying that teaching a man to fish would feed him a lifetime.

Pete Hostel, which has been open since 2008 and which has housed over 50 students, aims to change the mindset of a whole generation by way of education.

“The focus here is to change the atmosphere where the children are living and studying; those who stay here must study because their future depends on education,” said Pastor Paul

“Even if they are in college, they can stay here as long as they study.”

He said most of the children came from troubled homes and parents who did not have the resources, the desire, the means or just did not have the time for their children.

He said he forked out about RM5,000 a month from his own pocket for food, rental and the children’s education.

The hostel has six double-decker beds in three bedrooms and can house 12 children at any one time.

“We want to give them the feel of a home, a proper house, so to speak.

“I’ve got one boy in Year Six who doesn’t speak a word of Malay. What has he been doing for the six years? Where were the parents?”

Pastor Paul added that the children could go home during their holidays.

“But most of them don’t want to; they say it’s because they don’t get care or proper meals at home.”

He said interviews were conducted with parents before the hostel accepted any child as they did not want those with serious disciplinary problems.

“Many who first come here have difficulty adhering to the rules because they have never had any since they were born.

“And when you show them parental love you can see changes.”

One of the girls, who only wanted to be known as Jessica, said that in the seven months that she was there, the hostel showed her that there were people who cared for her.

“At home, it’s like no one cares about me,” said the 16-year-old.

G. Thinakaran said he used to go to the hostel only whenever he liked, but not any more.

“My relationship with Pastor Paul is like father and son. He provides me books, stationery and takes me out shopping too,” said the nine-year-old.

The hostel is now looking for a committed caretaker to look after the children, and whoever wishes to contribute in any way can find out more on its Facebook page at “PETE hostel”.

They can also contact Pastor Paul at 012-3065300.