Melvin Chan: @MelvinCWH: A Child Who Grows

Since young, I have always been grateful for the support and guidance my parents have shown me. Toys, books, schools, tuition classes are what make up a great child's learning. A break to travel during well deserved holiday seasons to just capture a moment of experience being able to enjoy and have fun.

It made me think whether all children in the world have been as lucky. Why are there orphanages and children homes? What happened to them that they have to be there instead with their parents? Then I realised, they too deserved the support which was shown onto me for them to grow normally and happily.

I always have a strong passion in providing the best environment and basic necessities needed by a child to grow happily and positively.

Last week, when I was browsing through a list of Children Homes which we can involve with in an upcoming fundraising project by TalentEDge, I came across Shelter Home for Children, courtesy of www.hati.org.my. It is based in PJ and managing 3 centres in Petaling Jaya and Taman OUG respectively. Immediately, I dropped an e-mail to the general e-mail address and they replied promptly. Arranged an appointment to meet Audrey, a representative from Shelter Home for Children office in Jalan Barat (above Caring Pharmacy).

Audrey, a kind lady who has offered much important information on the needs and direction by the organisation in supporting children who are abandoned, neglected and abused, as well as taking care the welfare of some refugee children has given me a lot of ideas on how we can contribute towards the welfare and development of the children in many ways - related to what I have been doing in training and fundraising projects.

After a good 1-hour chat with Audrey, the team and I moved on to visit one of the centres nearby in Section 8, better known as Shelter 3. It is where they house the teenage boys (currently 7) between the ages of 13-18.

It has a very welcoming signage which we will never miss.

The front view (from the gate) of the centre. Notice how clean the compound is!

One of TalentEDge's team mates chatting with Mr Nelson, the caretaker of the centre.

Nice play area for the boys. Spacious, but football is not allowed - you know how the ball flies. Behind the wall is the main road of Jalan Templer (near the roundabout).