2006 04: Children's home with a difference

The Star online. News. Central. Saturday April 15, 2006

By STUART MICHAEL
MICHAELstuart@thestar.com.my

AFTER 23 years, Pastor Michel Wright's wife, Pastor Sheila Wright, has realised her dream of opening a home for underprivileged children. Named the House of Matthew, the home is located in Taman Sri Gombak.

Michel said that his wife had never forgotten a particular child abuse case and wanted to do something for underprivileged children.

“At the House of Matthew, we want the children to get to know the feeling of a family environment.

“To this end, 20 families have volunteered to let the children live with them in their homes for a week to get to know the family environment.

“The children here will get to do this once a month,'' said Michel at the launch of the home on Tuesday in Taman Sri Gombak.

There are presently six children at the House of Matthew.

Explaining the rationale behind the stress on the family environment, Michel said, “I thought that if the children could live with families in proper homes, they would learn family values.

“And when they start working, we hope they will be an asset to society.

“Children are our future. Without them, we can’t expect any future.”

Michel stressed, however, that they needed help.

“We need help from the public in the form of donations to be self-sustaining in terms of food, transport and cash,” he said.

Gombak MP Datuk Dr Raman Ismail, who graced the opening, congratulated Michel for taking the initiative to do good for society.

“This is what the Government wants in our community – a self-sustaining, independent non-profit organisation looking to curb social ills.

“Others should follow their example and try to help society,”' Dr Raman said after officiating the opening.

The children later entertained guests with two songs before tea was served.