PETALING JAYA: Many charitable and welfare homes are trying their best to maintain and care for their residents despite numerous difficulties and challenges amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

       Although these homes received some financial aid and donations for groceries and daily necessities during the recent Chinese New Year, they were not enough to help them through this difficult period, especially where most people were also experiencing financial hardships.

       Pertubuhan Pusat Jagaan Warga Tua Damai director Steven Ng said due to the pandemic, there were fewer people visiting and donating to these homes.

       “The goods and donations we received can only last us a month.

       “We need to provide food for nearly 88 elderly residents, so the items run out quickly,” he said, adding that the home in Cheras is in dire need of daily necessities such as adult diapers, milk powder as well as financial aid.

       Ng, 31, said its monthly expenses are close to RM100,000, with medical bills being one of its biggest expenses as there are quite a few of them who are currently hospitalised.

       “We are in urgent need of five more oxygen machines as several residents have difficulty breathing while sleeping,” he said.

       Each machine costs about RM2,900.

       Apart from this, the home has to bear the cost of funerals should a resident pass away.

       At the AiYiDe Old Folks Home in Section 11, Petaling Jaya, the person-in-charge Jason Wong, 32, said not many people knew about the home which was only founded in 2018. Currently, it houses 18 senior citizens, ranging from 60 to 90 years of age.

       During this year’s festive season, Wong said donations were down by 70% to 80% compared to last year.

       “Last year, despite many industries being closed, we still managed to receive some monetary donations and were able to support our residents for a few months.

       “While we received more groceries this year, the financial aid has gone down significantly,” he said.

       Wong said its monthly expenses are about RM30,000 including rental fees, medical fees, staff wages, daily necessities and utilities.

       In Ipoh, the Handicap Children’s Welfare Home houses over 50 disabled children.

       Its chairman Cheong Kok Liong, 66, said it also provides shelter for disabled adults over 40 years old.

       He said in the past, the monetary donations during the festive period could last it for several months.

       “However, this year has been tough. We need at least five to six chickens every day to feed the children,” he said.

       Cheong said it spends more than RM30,000 a month on rental, utilities, medical fees, staff wages and repair works.

       Persatuan Kebajikan Wen Hua, formerly known as Damai Chempaka Welfare Home, recently relocated to Taman Cheras in November. The home is currently housing 11 children between the ages of six and 18.

       “A lot of people do not know that we’ve relocated,” said the coordinator, who wanted to be known only as Lee.

       Lee said its expenses had also increased as it needed to pay extra for rent, utilities and transportation to send the children to school.

       “Previously, our expenses ranged from RM7,000 to RM10,000 but now, we need about RM15,000 every month,” Lee said.