Refuge for the elderly
Story and Pix by Chan Lilian
GRACE Harmony Home, a non-governmental organisation which provides free shelter, food and medical care for the helpless elderly, recently opened its second building on Jalan Thomas.
Exco member for Local Government, Traffic Management and Flood Mitigation Chow Kon Yeow was invited to launch the second Grace home. “Through the efforts of former Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) councillor Ng Chek Siang and Pastor Peter Lee Wei Meng, they took part in an open tender to obtain the land to set up an old folks home.”
Grace is solely dependent on public donations and requires about RM15,000 per month to cover its operating expenses.
Lee explained the home’s mission: “We hope to enhance the health and instil self-confidence in the elderly and enable them to live with dignity. Applicants must be 60 years and above and have no dependents.”
Grace opened its first home in May 2012 on land leased from MPPP and occupied an old building on Jalan Thomas.
Using about RM60,000 Grace renovated the old building and recently opened its second building.
Grace managed to raise RM180,000 from a fundraising dinner held on Feb 22.
Those who wish to contribute can make their cheques payable to Persatuan Penyayang Warga Tua Pulau Pinang or bank in at Public Bank no. 316 2121 207.