A trip to the Handicapped and Mentally Disabled Children Centre Melaka
Before the Chinese New Year of this year, Patrick and Wendy invited me to the Handicapped & Mentally Disabled Children Centre Melaka and to make donation. However, we thought the centre would receive excessive donation during the Chinese New Year period, so we decided to make a trip after Chinese New Year.
Last weekend was the day. When Patrick, Wendy and Wee-Peng came back from outstations, we decided to go to the centre and donate something. We bought sacks of rice, biscuits, chocolate powder, tooth-paste and tooth-brush, soaps, cooking oil, etc. at Tong Hup grocery store and departed to the centre in Bukit Baru, Melaka.
According to the supervisor of the centre, Thomas, there are 65 mentally disabled children and 15 caregivers at the centre currently. The centre is a demi-detached house. Can you imagine 60-80 people living in a house of that size? As we observed, the wall of the centre requires repainting, the furniture like cupboards and tables have to be replaced, and more daily supply needed to nurture the children. Most of all, our visits and company are as important and meaningful to the children.
I remember when I went to the centre last year; I met a single mother of two. She was pampering her 1-2 year old toddler in a baby bed. The toddler was sleeping and I knew that he/she was mentally disabled. The mother and I had a small chat of her condition. She was living and working far from the town and she was unable to take care of the toddler, her 3-4 year old elder son, and work at the same time. So she was sending her elder son to her parents’ home everyday, and younger son to the centre far away to get a better care. The only free time she could visit her younger son was weekend. When she told me that, I realised how hard it would be to be a single mother and also a mother of a mentally disabled child.
We are very fortunate indeed. By saying that, each of us also has the strength to make a difference and change the life of the less fortunate ones. It is very grateful if you can visit the centre, with lots of love and care to the children.
If you require any information about the centre and making donation, kindly contact the centre:
Handicapped & Mentally Disabled Children Centre Melaka
C-5315, Jalan Penghulu Abbas,
Bukit Baru, 75150 Melaka.
Tel: 06-232 2530
Fax: 06-232 2529
Thanks to Patrick and Wendy for their kindness and also invited Wee-Peng and I to the centre. We didn’t stay there for long as we believe we will be there again. It was really meaningful to share something we have — happiness, with the children. Below are some shots I took:
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