KUALA LUMPUR: For the children of Rumah Nur Salam in the Chow Kit area, breaking fast is the highlight of their day.

Head of Puteri Umno Wangsa Maju Datin Ismalina Ismail preparing Siti Aishah Kasiran, 5, for the Maghrib prayers at  Rumah Nur Salam.   — NST picture  by Rosdan Wahid

However, it is not the food that is important to them but the fact that they can break fast with their friends in a safe haven, away from the harsh realities of home or life on the unforgiving streets.

“I love to break fast as it is fun to eat with my friends,” said Shahrani Saharuddin, 11, who aspires to be a professional football player with his favourite team, Selangor.

The children were even  happier on Thursday when they were treated to a veritable feast by Puteri Umno Wangsa Maju.

For the 50 children who go to the home, it was an occasion to meet new people, perhaps find an adult in whom they could confide in  and, for a few hours, forget their troubles.