KUCHING: Hope Place celebrated the Chinese New Year here by distributing hampers, oranges and ang pow to underserved families, particularly families and individuals who have mental illness.
According to the non-governmental organisation (NGO), it is currently supporting about 40 families or individuals with mental illness.
“These mental conditions include learning disability like autism, slow learner, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia and anxiety disorder.
“Many of these individuals who are above 19 years are unable to find work or income for themselves. From public scepticism, being outcast to seriousness of their condition, sadly, the end result is they are unable to fend for themselves,” Hope Place said on Thursday (Feb 15).
“The Jong brothers, aged 60 and 67, live together in a small house and are both mentally challenged. Chiu, 59, whose father had passed away years ago, is also living alone although being an out-patient of Sentosa Hospital.
“The NGO also visited Linda, 53, a single mother who lives with her 24-year-old son. Both Linda and her son have mental illness.
“Madam Kok, 74 is still taking care of her two mentally ill daughters, ages 44 and 51. The Voon family, although blessed with five children, three have mental illnesses. These three brothers, aged 21, 24 and 29, are unable to find any stable income.”
Meanwhile, Hope Place said they are working closely with two hospitals in taking care of these mentally ill individuals.
“The NGO is supporting 10 out-patients from Sentosa Hospital and five out-patients from Serian Hospital.
“By working together with social workers from these hospitals, Hope Place is able to better understand these individuals’ emotions, attitudes and actions and therefore could help them even more.”
For more information, Hope Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching can be reached at 082-505987.
All donations are welcome and receipts will be given upon request. The public can donate directly to Hope Place bank account MBB: 511289001160 or go to their facebook page to get their Sarawak Pay / S PAY GLOBAL QR code.
