PETALING JAYA: For nearly four decades, Rumah Ozanam has offered vulnerable children more than just a roof over their heads - it has given them stability, care and the chance to build a better future.
Located on Jalan Padang here, the home has supported hundreds of children over the years, many from impoverished or troubled family backgrounds.
Today, its own future has become uncertain. Donations have dwindled while operating costs continue to mount, leaving the charitable organisation struggling to care for the young people who depend on it.
“We are in dire straits; our current bank balance is only around RM2,000," Rumah Ozanam board president Gabriel Bala Murali told FMT Lifestyle. "As our funds are nearly exhausted, our need is extremely urgent."
Established on March 22, 1987, Rumah Ozanam actually runs two homes - one for boys and another for girls - providing shelter to children who have experienced poverty, abandonment, neglect or abuse.
At present, it has 15 residents - 11 girls and four boys aged between eight and 17.
Many of the children come from struggling families, including single-parent households and homes where parents are unable to work because of health problems. Others are referred there by the social welfare department through the courts.
Beyond accommodation, Rumah Ozanam tries to give its residents the routines and stability of an ordinary childhood.
Their days begin early, with breakfast at 6am before they leave for school at around 6.45am. After returning in the afternoon, they have lunch, rest and complete household chores, while evenings are set aside for games, tuition and study.
The home also arranges extracurricular activities, including football and tennis lessons conducted by volunteers, while counselling is available when needed.
Education remains one of Rumah Ozanam’s biggest priorities. Besides covering school supplies, transportation and tuition, it also supports deserving residents who wish to pursue higher education.
For Gabriel, seeing former residents graduate and move forward with their lives is among the most rewarding parts of the work. "It shows that our efforts to better a child’s life have paid off,” he said.
Keeping that lifeline going, however, has become increasingly difficult. Gabriel said Rumah Ozanam once received steady contributions from corporate sponsors, individual donors and other well-wishers, but much of that support fell away following the pandemic.
Rumah Ozanam needs about RM25,000 a month to cover food, school supplies, staff salaries, utilities, maintenance and other daily expenses.
A fundraising dinner is planned for April 2027, but the more immediate concern is securing enough money to get through the coming months.
Gabriel said an emergency contribution of RM60,000 would provide much-needed breathing room while the home works towards greater financial stability.
He hopes individuals, companies and other well-wishers will step forward, whether through one-off donations or regular monthly contributions.
“We want nothing more than to ensure our children continue to have a safe, secure and loving home where they can heal and grow,” he concluded.
If you wish to help, donations can be made to CIMB bank account 800 230 4523 (Yayasan Ozanam - SVP Rumah Ozanam). Tax-exemption receipts will be provided for donations of RM50 and above.
Learn more about Rumah Ozanam on Facebook. For further information, contact Gabriel at 03-7781 9013 or 012-607 0837.