A feeling of empathy and sympathy overwhelmed us as we made our entrance into the Islam Titian Abadi Old Folks Welfare Home (Pekita) in Lahat, Perak on Friday, March 9.
Twenty five senior citizens were eagerly waiting to welcome us since morning.
According to the Chairman of Pekita, Ahmad Wanchik, this welfare home was established eight years ago to provide shelter and care for the elderly.
“Despite receiving RM30,000 a year from the Social Welfare Department, the money is insufficient to cover their monthly expenditure and in times of emergency,” Ahmad told Ipoh Echo.
As a result, Pekita could only afford a small four-bedroom rented premise with two attached bathrooms costing RM800 a month. Having to accommodate 12 male and 13 female residents, the house is simply too cramped and uncomfortable.
Ahmad hopes to raise extra funds to build a bigger house at Ara Payung, Sungai Terap, Kampung Gajah that is more spacious and comfortable for the residents.
In response to Ahmad’s plea, 40 students from the Finance and Islamic Banking Diploma Club of Ungku Omar Polytechnic did a donation drive from among students and staff of the polytechnic. They too helped clean the home.
The other departments which reached out to help included the Perak State Islamic Department (JAIPK) and the Menglembu Health Department.
Readers keen to chip in can do so by remitting your donations to Pekita’s Bank Muamalat account number: 0804 0003 0587 15.
For more information, please call Hj Ahmad: 013 479 3223 or Puan Zurina: 017 551 9570.
Luqman Hakim
