THE pandemic has severely impacted many household finances, with some parents being forced to send their children to welfare homes.

The number of children at welfare homes has risen by up to 30%.

Shan De JB Child Welfare Home operator Simon Aw told The Malaysian Insight that since the pandemic, many families have turned to them for help.

“They face problems like financial difficulties, separation between couples and unemployment,” Aw said.

He said there were 44 children at his centre between the ages of one and 17.

“Our centre has been operating for 12 years and is licensed by the (Social) Welfare Department, so some cases are referred to us by the department,” Aw said.

He said as the number of children admitted rose, the centre’s expenses also went up.

“The pandemic put a stop to our fundraising activities. However, we are going on a fundraising drive next year, including by holding charity dinners.

“We hope for donations from the public, which will help with expenses.”

House of Love Children’s Home director and founder Joseph Pang said: “With financial difficulties, marriages have been strained and many couples have split up.

“They could not take on the responsibility of raising their children, and in the end they choose to ignore or abandon them,” Pang said.

“We take in children mainly under the age of 10, who are from families with single parents, are orphans, or abused.”

Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak WP’s Elaine Wong said apart from the pandemic, inflation and rising living costs have left many families in dire straits.

“Many families are grappling with inflation and everything is expensive due to the high cost of living. Some parents were forced to send their children to our centre.”

Wong said compared with before the pandemic, the number of children at her centre has grown by about 10%. It now houses 28 kids.

She said inflation has impacted the welfare home.

“As things get more expensive, supplies decrease, so we are in urgent need of donations such as milk powder and diapers.

“We have tried to raise funds and supplies through Facebook promotions, but the results were unsatisfactory.”

She said the centre accepts public donations, and that she could be contacted at 012-959 3937. – November 9, 2023.