Hands-on care: Cheah (second from right) and staff cheering on residents during an activity session at the One Heart centre in Jalan Badik, Taman Sri Tebrau, Johor Baru. The society was founded in December 2024 by friends who previously volunteered at charity homes.
JOHOR BARU: At a neighbourhood in Taman Sri Tebrau, a group of residents quietly go about learning basic words, colouring and doing light exercises.
At the One Heart Together Charity Society, those with autism, Down syndrome, visual disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and slow learning are kept active that way.
Its secretary, Catherine Cheah, said the centre now cares for 14 persons with disabilities aged between seven and 56.
“Ten stay with us long term, while four come in several days a week for daycare services. They come from different parts of the country, not just Johor.
“We have parents and guardians who send them to us from as far as Sarawak and Perlis for long-term care,” she said at the centre in Jalan Badik.
With no fees charged, the centre relies solely on donations to meet the monthly expenses, which exceed RM20,000.
She said the amount covered rent, utilities, food, medical fees and salaries for four staff members, adding that the centre as faced with an outstanding rent payment of RM2,000.
“Most of our residents are fully dependent on caretakers because they are unable to manage on their own.
“Only three do not use diapers, so we are in constant need of child and adult diapers, besides daily essentials like rice and dried food,” she said.
The staff members teach basic Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin, while exercises, colouring sessions and light chores are incorporated to help with mobility and independence, said Cheah.
“Some of the more able help to hang the laundry, which is also a form of exercise for them,” she said.
She said the centre welcomed groups to conduct programmes, adding that recently, a group came to teach them how to dance.
“Experiences like that mean a lot as some of them only see their family once in a while,” said Cheah.
She said the society was set up in December 2024 by a group of friends who previously volunteered at charity homes.
“Running a home full-time was a very different experience. When you visit as a volunteer, it is not the same as having your hands full daily.
“A lot of patience and passion is needed as the residents have their own temperament and many have difficulty communicating, so we have to take the time to understand them,” she said.
She said staff turnover was also a challenge, as not many were able to cope with the physical and emotional demands of caring for the disabled.
The centre opens daily from 9am to 5pm, including weekends and public holidays. Cheah can be contacted at 013-704 9113.
