Jimmy Leow

A video which Chan Lilian and I produced about KAWAN. Click below to watch the video.

http://www.malaysiakini.tv/video/17201/drop-in-centre-for-poor.html

Citizen journalist video In efforts to aid the homeless people in Penang, Christian based international organisation “Youth with a Mission” has set up a drop-in day centre, as an attempt to reach out to the poor and homeless.

Overseas volunteer Rachel H. toldMalaysiakini that the Kawan Centre, as it is being called, was set up just under two years ago.

“As a drop-in day centre, they (the homeless and the poor) can come in for meals as well as shower facilities. There is also a rest area upstairs,” she said.

A video taken byMalaysiakini’s citizen journalists shows that the Kawan Centre is a modest but functional place, where the walls have colourful murals that brightens the place…and the broken in spirit.

Meals are served in the dining area cafeteria style.

“We are open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and we provide food for up to 100 people when we are open.

Run by volunteers

“The place is manned by foreign volunteers and locals working in partnership to help the homeless on the streets. However, we’re still quite limited, so we really need more people to come and help us,” Rachel said.

Dass Enoch, in his 30s, understands the plight of the homeless, as he used to be one.

Now, he is a full time volunteer at the Kawan Centre.

He dismissed the general misconception that homeless people do not like to work if they are given free food and shelter.

Instead, he said that some of the homeless do have jobs but cannot afford a home but they are looking for one.

“But most people who come here have (drug) addiction issues, so if they are not able to deal with the addiction issue, they’re not going to find a job,” he said.

“One of the things we would love to have is a halfway home…We are dealing with the addiction and mindset (that has) to change so we (should) give them a place where they can stay for awhile,” said Enoch.

Donations and volunteer services for the Kawan Center can be made at 37 Love Lane, Penang.

Story by Emily Chow, Malaysiakini

Never did I expect to get information about the homeless Wongs from an ex homeless person, Mr. N at Kawan. Here’s the story.

CJ Lilian Chan and I went to a place called Kawan located in the heart of Georgetown to get to know the organizers and their activities helping the poor. It was nearly lunch time when we introduced ourselves, Citizen Journalism Malaysia to Miss J.

She was very pleased to know what we do and gave us the permission to get to know the people there. Mainly consisting of poor people seeking shelter and food, the organization provide free meals and some counselling services to those who needs them. We also had the chance to see how food was prepared and on that day, Kawan was preparing for a serving of 70 people.

By 12.00 noon, the whole hall was filled with people who seek meals and the serving that day was Curry Chicken Rice. It was delicious. It was quite a sight. Food was distributed to individuals by several volunteers and they were greeted with thanks. 

During an interview with Mr. N, he mentioned that he actually knew the Wongs (homeless couple). He also said something shocking. 

It seems he came to know that a “government person” had asked for some money from the Wongs. They were promised of a better place to stay. In seems that Mr. & Mrs Wong Koh Meng paid RM 400.00 to this person and that was the last time they saw this con man.

According to Mr. N, he wanted to help the Wongs but they were taken away before he could do anything. When we told him about what had happen to the Wongs, he was very sad. 

What kind of person would con homeless people or the poor?