FOR the past two months, an orphanage in Kampung Pintu Padang, Gopeng has received 10 new children, a record for the 17-year-old establishment.

Four more are expected to arrive next month.

"We've never had such a large intake. We used to receive one child at intervals of six months," said Asrama Anak-anak Yatim/Miskin Yayasan Hikmah administrator Dahlia Din.

Of the 10 children, eight were from two families with similar stories -- their mothers could only care for the youngest child and sent the remaining four to the orphanage.

Shahnuraqim Romzi, 12, and her three brothers had not eaten for a few days when they were accepted into the home at the end of May, said Dahlia, adding that the four had a bigger appetite than the other children in the first few weeks.
Dahlia said their father indulged in alcohol and gambling while their mother struggled to make ends meet by helping out at a foodstall.

They lived in a dilapidated house in Ipoh which they shared with another single mother with four children.

"The other mother didn't want to give up her children, but she will be sending them to us next month," Dahlia said.

Poverty is becoming more real among those who were already poor, she said, adding that the home would be opening a new wing next month, which would allow them to accept 20 children to add to the current group of 50, aged four to 17.

Donations are decreasing while expenses for food and fuel have risen.

"But it is still manageable for now. There is still food and shelter. Whatever little we have, we share," she said.

Asked about her new living condition, Shahnuraqim said she lived on shoots (pucuk) and ulam with rice when she was staying with her mother near Jalan Pasir Puteh.

"I can only see my mother once a month now. I miss her so much, I even dreamt of her once," she said.

Cheong Kok Leong, chairman of the Handicapped Children Welfare Home at Housing Trust in Ipoh, said at least three more people with disabilities would be admitted to the home soon.

He said many had enquired about sending their relatives there.

The home, which cares for 83 individuals ranging from eight to 69 years old, can only afford to accept special children who require less individual attention due to limited staff and financial constraints.

Their monthly expenses have spiralled from RM40,000 to RM50,000 and donors are also giving less, Cheong said.

"Our inmates eat about 2kg of rice a day, and we use more than 20 gas cylinders in a month," he said. -- BRENDA LIM