Having studied in both Singapore and Malaysia (Johor Bahru), I noticed that there is a great difference in activism towards volunteering in both countries. For instance, comparing the secondary students in both countries: The youths in Singapore are actively involved in initiating and participating in projects on community work, while such initiatives are less evident in Malaysia.
It is arguable that Singaporean youths have ‘ulterior motives’ while conducting the charity projects- to accumulate CIP (Community Involvement Programme) points which reflect one’s non-academic achievements. However, as the Malay saying goes, ‘Tak kenal maka tak cinta’, you wouldn’t love it unless you know/get a taste of it. In my opinion, I think that it is a good initiative for youths to partake in social work. From my perspective, community work enables us to experience the wonderful satisfaction of helping the needy and through witnessing the plight of the less fortunate, we will learn to be more contented with our bestows.
“If you light a lamp for somebody, it will also brighten your path” ~Anonymous
Hence, calling out to Malaysian youths here. Please channel a bit of the fervent and energetic flames of yours to light up the lamps for the others! There are so many fields to work on depending on your interests. To name just a few, to champion for poverty relief, human rights, environment and climate change, animals’ rights and so on.
For me, as seen from the notes above, I am working mainly on promoting youth work in Malaysia now. In the past, I had also worked on poverty relief (rice collection projects) and public health (blood donations and first aid).
Going through the internet, I realize that there isn’t a really comprehensive link about all the charity homes and their needs. Hence, I am compiling the charity homes found in Johor Bahru. I may have missed out some homes as the information that I obtained was gotten through random searches over the internet, feel free to comment to add in information about other homes. Hope that this helps.=)
Johor Area Rehabilitation Organisation (JARO)
Tel: 07-2245632 / 07-2275314
Address: Lot 2125 Jalan Sungai Chat P.O.Box 230 80720 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Needs: Clean up, filing, befriending activities
Website: http://www.jaro.org.my/
Tel: 07-2245632 / 07-2275314
Address: Lot 2125 Jalan Sungai Chat P.O.Box 230 80720 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Needs: Clean up, filing, befriending activities
Website: http://www.jaro.org.my/
Johor Cheshire Home
Tel: 07-2371335
Address: Jalan Jumaat, Kampung Ungku Mohsin, 80350 Johor Bahru.
Needs: Befriending (34 disabled residents), simple clean-up activities
* The home offers a hall for events rental and is in short of fabric supply (t-shirts and clothes materials) for residents to produce mats to be sold
Kiwanis Down Syndrome Foundation Johor Bahru Centre
Tel: 07-3339336
Address: 19 Jalan Resak Majidee Park 80250 Johor Bharu
Needs: Speciality in music to the students (Weekdays 9am-4pm)
Websites: www.kdsf.org.my/
Persatuan Bagi Kanak-kanak Kerencat Akal Johor
Tel: 07-2247243
Address: Lot 17882, Jalan Gertak Merah, 80000 Johor Bahru
Needs: Volunteers for assisting in teaching, workshops and therapies (weekdays, 8.30am-1.00pm)
Website: http://pbkkaj.org.my
Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Spastik Johor
Tel: 07-2235452 / 07-2264379
Address: No.138, Jalan Datok Menteri 80100 Johor Bahru
Needs: Volunteers to assist in teaching, hydrotherapy and rehabilitation
Website: www.spastikjohor.com
Pusat Jagaan Warga Tua Ehsan
Tel: 07-2379378
Address: No. 44, Jalan Impian 3, Taman Impian Skudai, 81300Johor Bahru.
Needs: Volunteers to cut hair for the old folks, befriending activities
Pusat Kebajikan Kalvari Johor
Tel: 07-2236611/07-2896631
Address: 44-A, Jalan Sutera Merah 3, Taman Sutera, 81200 Johor Bahru.
Needs: Tuition for primary students (40+ children), Exercise group for the old (70+ people)
Website: pkk@calvary.com.my
Sinda Old Folks Home
Tel: 07-2893698
Address: 74, 74A&B, Jalan Sutera Merah 2, Taman Sutera, 81200 Johor Bahru. (*a row behind Sinda old folks home)
Needs: Simple exercise/Taichi groups, befriending the old folks (15-20 old folks)
Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Johor
Tel: 07-2234664 / 07-2261511
Address: No.118, Jalan Bukit Cagar, 80300 Johor Bharu, Johor
Needs: Volunteers to give tuition to primary 2 to secondary students
Website: www.rumahberkat.org, http://www.pkayj.org/
Persatuan Penjagaan Kanak-Kanak Terencat Akal
Tel: 07-5989676
Address: Lot 5042, Jalan Indah Permai 9, Taman Selang Indahm 81400 Senai, Johor
Needs: Befriending activities and donations (more information on the website)
Website: http://www.handicapjb.org.my/
Pusat Jagaan Aktiviti Harian Down Syndrome Bukit Indah(OKU)
Tel: 07 - 2327705
Address: No. 54, Jalan Indah 6/3, Taman Bukit Indah, 81200 Johor Bharu.
Needs: LACKING teachers to teach 20+ children with down syndrome handicrafts, dances and computers (Mon- Fri 1pm-5pm)
Website: http://downsyndromejohor.org
Pusat Jagaan Orang Kurang Upaya Nirvana
Tel: 07 – 2382134/ 07-2358532
Address: Lot 4424 & 4425, Jalan Lurah 5, Kempas Baru, 81200 Johor Bharu.
Needs: Befriending (50+ old folks), simple activities such as singing and dances, outings
Pusat Jagaan Orang Tua Ceria
Tel: 07 – 5585362
Address: No. 56, 58, 60, Jalan Hulubalang 1, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, 81300 Skudai.
Needs: Befriending (30+ old folks who suffer from stroke, mostly inconvenient to walk)
Pusat Jagaan Spring Valley Homecare
Tel: 019 – 7519938
Address: Lot 3456, Jalan Lurah Utama, Kempas Baru, 81200 Johor Bharu.
Needs: Welcome volunteers to befriend, perform and cut hair for the old (80+ old folks)
Pusat Jagaan Warga Tua Lotuskrish Care Centre
Tel: 07 – 3332227
Address: No. 25, Jalan Mustika, Kampung Melayu Majidee, 81100 Johor Bharu.
Needs: Befriending activities (Old folks)
Pertubuhan Kebajikan Insan Istimewa Johor Bahru
Tel: 07 – 3338044
Address: No. 40 & 40A, Jalan Suktanah Rogayah, Taman Iskandar, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor.
Needs: cleaning, haircut, helping teachers, donation (list found on website)
Website: http://pkiijb.org.my/(*volunteers can sign up through website)
