THEY walked into a kopitiam along Jalan CY Choy, Penang, to find tables reserved and meals ready to be served upon their arrival. It brought broad smiles to their faces.
Breakfast could never have tasted better for the 20 residents of the Harapan Transit Centre, who swapped their usual cafeteria spread or donated rations for a hearty traditional meal of kaya toast, half-boiled eggs, and coffee at the local coffeeshop.
Ushering in the Chinese New Year spirit, the residents were treated to the morning outing by paediatrician Dr Sim Joo Seng, who conceived the idea and sponsored the meals.
The two-hour session at the kopitiam, located beneath a block of flats, sparked genuine laughter and smiles as the residents relaxed with friends they had made during their time at the centre.
Dr Sim expressed his hope that such occasions would eventually become a regular community initiative.
“The outing was meant to break the monotony of residents eating all their meals at the centre, while giving them a chance to reconnect with familiar experiences from their past.
“We want to bring all the residents out for an old-fashioned breakfast at a nearby kopitiam, hopefully on a regular basis.
“This is the start of a long-term programme for the transit centre, together with other NGOs,” he told StarMetro.
According to Dr Sim, these outings allow residents to reminisce about their younger days spent socialising at coffeeshops with their own friends and family members.
“It gives them a wonderful experience, brings back good memories and allows them to de-stress while also feeling included in the wider community.
“Having breakfast outside helps them feel accepted and allows the community to welcome them as part of everyday life,” he said.
The initiative highlights the human element of the transit centre’s mission.
Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim noted that since the centre opened in September 2023, a total of 634 homeless people have sought temporary shelter there.
The centre can accommodate up to 88 residents at a time.
“About 40% of the 634 have resumed ordinary life and some have even found jobs to support their living,” Lim said.
Also present to support the residents during the morning session was Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng. — By LO TERN CHERN
