Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil presenting ang pow to Ah Mook, a resident of the Home for the Aged in Cheras.KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia
(New Straits Times),
February 10, 2008:
The Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged was described as the most beautiful home for the elderly in the world by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil on Wednesday.
Shahrizat attended a Chinese New Year gathering at the home and said of all the homes she had visited abroad, none equalled the Home for the Aged in Cheras.
“When I travel, I always look at other institutions and homes for the needy, but this is the best I’ve seen. The sisters here look after the residents sincerely and on behalf of the government, I want to thank them.”
She praised the sisters for their dedication and the discipline shown in looking after the elderly and the home, which survives largely on donations. “Welfare” is a shared responsibility and should be jointly shouldered by companies, non-governmental organisations and government, she said.
The 66 elderly residents smiled happily as they each accepted ang pow packets containing RM100 from the minister, as she wished them well for the Chinese New Year celebrations. They each also received hampers which included bars of soap, towels and other gifts. Kentucky Fried Chicken with mashed potatoes were also served.
The gathering was jointly organised by the ministry and the National Welfare Foundation.
Copyright © 2007 NST
Seniors World Chronicle adds:
The Little Sisters of the Poor is an order of Roman Catholic nuns founded in France in the 19th century to look after elderly poor people. This fully funded charity residence in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, completed in 2003, has been rebuilt largely with money from the sale of one of the buildings of The Little Sisters of the Poor in Hong Kong and with funds raised by Runners Malaysia. It has a built-up area of 120,000sq ft, over 5.6 acres of land. Information technology used for communication in running the home, includes a nurse call system that residents can use to SOS for assistance, from the bedside or the toilet. Nuns carry walkie-talkies linked to the care system.
