Kajang Orphanage Caretaker Dies Of COVID-19

M’sians come to the aid of 35 residents in orphanage

The pandemic has affected many Malaysians in different ways. But through it all, our fellow countrymen have shown that they are willing to help out during these tough times, restoring our faith in humanity. Case in point: This orphanage in Kajang that received over RM38,000 in funds after its caretakers contracted COVID-19, and one of them sadly passed away.

Left behind at the facilities at this time are 35 residents, with 26 orphans said to have tested positive for COVID-19. After a neighbour of the orphanage took to Facebook to share their plight, Malaysians came out with overwhelming support for them, raising more than the targeted amount of RM15,000 for food and medication for the children.

26 orphans test positive for COVID-19, caretaker currently in treatment too

On 16th May 2021, Azaad Mohamed Ummar took to his personal Facebook page to raise awareness about the situation at Rumah Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Ummi Selangor in Kajang.

According to MalaysiaKini, Azaad is a neighbour of the orphanage.

He shared that almost all the children there have tested positive for COVID-19. However, no one is around to cook and look after them, as the orphanage’s caretaker, Tok Ayah, passed away a week ago from the same virus.

His wife, Ummi, who also helps run the orphanage, is currently being treated for the virus at Hospital Sungai Buloh.

A sign outside the orphanage reads, “We miss our father, Tok Ayah, and Tok Mah in Hospital Sungai Buloh. Mumy, Uchu, and siblings are all in self-quarantine. Pray for us.”
Image credit: Azaad Mohamed Ummar

The caretakers’ biological children, who help out whenever they can, are no longer allowed to access the orphanage as they, too, have COVID-19. Other family members who are free from the virus aren’t allowed within the premises, however, as 26 kids inside have also tested positive for COVID-19, with others showing symptoms too.

This leaves them without an adult to supervise or help out. The oldest kids at the orphanage are reportedly a 19-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy.

To help out, Azaad listed out some of the things that the orphanage needed at that moment, including food, snacks and mineral water to last the children for at least 20 days. They also needed a caterer who can cook hearty, balanced meals for 30 on a budget, and have the food delivered to the orphanage. All in all, RM15,000 was needed.

Malaysians contribute over RM38,000 to aid

After Azaad put up that Facebook post, Malaysians raised RM38,839.89 – more than 2 times the targeted amount – for the ophans, as he shared in an update to the same post.

He also updated that after consulting the orphanage caretakers’ daughter, Sherry, he learned that funds for medication were needed for the kids.

As such, he’s helped to raise additional funds to help out. Many Malaysians thanked him for doing so and shared that they’ve donated funds too.

Image credit: Azaad Mohamed Ummar

In a report by Free Malaysia Today, Sherry is quoted saying that a district health office has been communicating with one of the eldest orphans.

It was also reported that the orphanage has since stopped accepting donations as they currently have more than enough funds to provide food and medication for the children for 2 months.

Bangi DAP MP Ong Kian Ming has also since come out on his official Twitter account to say that he will be visiting the orphanage soon, after Twitter users notified him of the orphanage’s predicament.

35 kids in orphanage receive aid after caretakers test positive for COVID-19

Orphans already have to face tough times growing up without their parents. And the pandemic has made it even harder for those children at this orphanage in Kajang, as they lost their caretaker to the virus. So we’re glad to see Malaysians stepping up to the plate by donating what they can to help them out.

We extend our condolences to Tok Ayah’s family for their loss, and hope that Ummi and the kids affected have a speedy recovery from the virus.