Penang Shan Children’s Home

This will be my last story on a Corporate Social Responsibility programme that was undertaken by several businesses in Penang recently. The businesses that participate were Crowdpot Sdn Bhd (the event organiser), Ninetology Malaysia, the SUBWAY® branches at Suntech, iAvenue and Leith Street, Chatime Malaysia, Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd and Alextan Artworks. There were also several bloggers and the general public that tagged along on the visits to three orphanages in Penang.

I had already written previously about the visits to The Ramakrishna Ashrama and the Children's Protection Society, helping a friend publicise about these noble events. Today's entry is on their visit to the Penang Shan Children’s Home (PSCH) in Mt Erskine Road, Tanjung Tokong, Penang, to distribute food, beverages and gadgets. Now, this Home is located a bit off the beaten track. In order to go there, one needs to turn into the lane that takes people to the Cheah Cemetery. Go beyond the vast tract of cemetery land and head towards the Bodhi Heart Buddhist Sanctuary. The Penang Shan Children's home is right next to the Sanctuary.

The PSCH began as a dream and initiative of Dr S Balakrishnan in 2005. This is a non-religious and a non-profit, non-governmental organisation catering to the needs of orphans, neglected children, dysfunctional families and single parents. The home was built and officially launched in December 2008 by Madam Chan Siew Har. The PSCH’s mission is to maximise the attractive opportunities that are stored inherently in children: to make something happen to them, to change the ways that things are, to create something that no one else has ever created before for the children, to explore for opportunities, to provide guidance and course correction, maintaining focus on being consistent and persistent.

The objectives are both short and on a long term basis. The short term objective is to provide all the children with a safe and supportive environment. The focus is on the development of physical, mental, emotional, educational, social and recreational skills that create awareness to structure and mould the children’s future. The longer term development includes the options that are available for the child’s future such as supporting them to complete their tertiary education preferably to University level. For those who are unable to complete the basic education, they would be trained in developing their skills by educating them in skill training centres. Through home visits and working with parents, the PSCH would like to ensure that eventually the children reunited with their families and thus become the backbone of the family.

Is it possible for you to help Penang Shan Children’s Home Association. Yes, through their Adopt-A-Child programme. The average monthly expenditure per child amounts to RM400 which includes lodging, education, meals, transportation and pocket money. Interested members of the public can contact the home. And yes, through your kind donations too. The Home depends solely on donations to meet the relatively high running costs. They would be very grateful to members of the public or private companies that can contribute a one-off or monthly fixed donation. Interested entities can contact the PSCH directly at 679-D Mt Erskine Road, Tanjung Tokong, 10470 Penang (tel: 04-2292186, fax: 04-2292186 or at shanchildrenhomepg@yahoo.com).