Early CNY cheer for elderly folks at Sungai Way Old Folks Home

PETALING JAYA – Elderly folks of Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia (formerly Sungai Way Old Folks Home) in Sungai Way, Petaling Jaya are getting an early joy to the Chinese New Year celebrations.

MBPJ councillor Sean Oon Chong Ling distributing hampers to Sungai Way Old Folks Home residents
Festive cheer: MBPJ councillor Sean Oon Chong Ling (centre) and JKKK Sungai Way chairman Ding Eow Chai (standing, first from left) distributing hampers to Sungai Way Old Folks Home residents recently.

The Chinese New Year which falls on Jan 31 this year may be three weeks away but the elderly folks of Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia (formerly Sungai Way Old Folks Home) in Sungai Way, Petaling Jaya  are getting an early joy to the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) councillor Sean Oon Chong Ling and Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK) Sungai Way chairman Ding Eow Chai offered festive greetings and presented mini hampers to the old folks at the home.

A total of 43 residents of the home received the mini hampers.

“We can often tell the health of a community by the way we treat our senior citizens and I’m very happy to be part of today’s small effort to help them,” said Oon, in urging the people not to forget the elders and the less fortunate ones in society.

“We hope the mini hampers would cheer them up.”

Oon said he noticed that the home was opened by Tun Abdul Razak who was the deputy prime minister then back in February 1966.

See also  Sukha Charity Fair 2024: A celebration of community spirit

“Despite the age of this home, one can see that the people of Sungai Way has taken care of the place rather well.

“We should give due credit and recognition to the people who has been helping with this home.,” said Oon.

The event was organised by ADUN Kampung Tunku Lau Weng San service centre as part of the Mesra Rakyat program and in collaboration with JKKK Sungai Way, in conjunction with the Chinese New Year celebrations.

JKKK Sungai Way chairman Ding Eow Chai presenting mini hamper to a senior citizen at Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia Sungai Way
JKKK Sungai Way chairman Ding Eow Chai presenting mini hamper to a senior citizen at Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia Sungai Way.

Ding said the event was a yearly affair to bring festive cheer and to show their appreciation to the elders and the less fortunate during the Chinese New Year season .

“We are glad to do our part to reach out to these deserving old folks,” he said.

The home was officially opened in 1966 by the then deputy prime minister Tun Abdul Razak. Today it has more than 60 residents aged 60 and above, with the oldest resident Ng Ah Ha, at aged 96, who has been staying there since 1997.

See also  Spread joy with Mangosteen’s Gifts That Give Back
JKKK Sungai Way and MBPJ councillor Sean Oon Chong Ling (standing 3rd from left) at Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia Sg Way
MBPJ councillor Sean Oon Chong Ling (standing 3rd from left), JKKK Sungai Way chairman Ding Eow Chai (standing, 2nd from left) and committee help spread cheer at Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia, Sungai Way.

Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia assistant secretary Tee Yoon Ming said the senior citizens were happy in receiving the goodies.

“We welcome such visits as they help to cheer them up and make them feel loved and cared,” he said.

According to Tee, the home’s monthly operating expenses is about RM20,000 and much of its funding came from government grants and private donations.

There are seven helpers, including cooks to take care of the home with over 60 residents.

Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia asst secretary Tee Yoon Ming (left) and Madam Foong
Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia assistant secretary Tee Yoon Ming (left) hopes for more donations to help run the home. Beside him is Madam Foong, the chief cook at the home since 1987.

Tee said the government’s monthly aid of RM100 for each resident was increased recently. It was hardly enough but the home still managed to survive.

“We hope for more donations from well wishers.”

Tee also hoped for doctor volunteers to make regular visits to check on the health of the elderly folks and offer treatment to the ill.

Visit to Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia Sungai Way
The visitors and some residents of Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia posing for a group photo. 
The signage at the entrance of Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia (formerly Sungai Way New Village Old Folks Home) was opened by Tun Abdul Razak on Feb 1966.
The signage at the entrance of Rumah Sejahtera Seri Setia (formerly Sungai Way New Village Old Folks Home) shows that the home was opened by Tun Abdul Razak on Feb 1966.

 

Avatar photo

Thomas Tan

Thomas Tan joined CJMY in 2011. At the second annual conference in Johor Bahru, he received the 'Best Article 2011' Award. To date, he has published over 1,000 articles on community events and various topics.