In the spirit: Children putting up Christmas decorations at the Salvation Army Penang Children’s Home in Jalan Logan, George Town. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
GEORGE TOWN: The Christmas tree is already up with the lights on, but sadly, the wishes of 15 residents of the Penang Agape Welfare Association (Pawa) here have yet to be fulfilled.With less than two weeks to Dec 25, the residents – aged between eight and 52 – are still hoping for new clothing.
Pawa director M. Sharon said the place is adorned with a Christmas tree and lights, while a church has also scheduled a visit for a carolling session with the residents, who are mentally disabled.
“The residents have expressed their wish for new clothes for Christmas and New Year.
“Unfortunately, nobody has come forward yet to sponsor the new clothing for them,” she said when met at the centre in Island Glades yesterday.
Sharon also said that since the movement control order and Covid-19 pandemic, donations and public support have dwindled.
“We need about RM10,000 monthly to operate but now we are two months behind on the rent.
“The residents here have been rejected by their families and society, while some are orphans.
“Any excess in funds will go towards providing them with a better quality of life,” she added.
At the Salvation Army Penang Children’s Home in Jalan Logan, the children have come up with a wish list of items.
Among them are new apparel, footballs, school bags, badminton racquets and watches.
Nine-year-old Gabriel John Galt Mak, who hopes for a badminton racquet, said he plays often at the compound of the home but has never owned his own racquet.
“I usually borrow one from the office. Hopefully, I will get a new one for myself,” said Gabriel.
His wish is shared by his friend Josh Berk Lee Duvall, 10.
“We play badminton twice a week here and I hope to get a racquet and shuttlecocks,” he said.
The Salvation Army regional headquarters’ Malaysia public relations director Nigel Jones said there are 18 children aged between four and 18 currently residing at the home in Penang and 10 of them will be celebrating Christmas there.
Jones added that manpower takes up the bulk of the home’s expenses.
“Getting financial donations remains our biggest challenge,” he said.
