27/08/2026
By MYSARA FAUZI Monday, 09 Feb 2026
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2026/02/09/home-for-disabled-kids-struggles-as-donations-decline
JOHOR BARU: As family ties quietly fade, a welfare home here has become a lifeline for its residents, most of whom are children with special needs.
Founded in 2017, the Johor Disabled Children Charitable and Care Organisation currently houses 23 residents with special needs, with only a handful of their families still keeping in touch.
“Most of the residents were abandoned by their families, leaving our organisation fully responsible for their long-term care.
“Out of the 23 here, only five or six still have family members who visit or contribute,” said founder and president Dr Yahya Haidrus (pic) in an interview.
He said the residents, aged between five and 30, include those diagnosed with conditions such as cerebral palsy, autism and Down syndrome.
“Among those under our care is a bedridden 18-year-old girl with cerebral palsy who has not received a visit from her family since being sent here about eight years ago.
“We also have a 21-year-old woman with mental disabilities and cerebral palsy who has been left here with no contact for around seven years,” he said.
Yahya said the centre at Jalan Keembong 45, Taman Johor Jaya here relies heavily on donations.
“Parents are not charged a fixed fee. During intake interviews, families were asked to contribute according to their ability, usually between RM150 and RM200 a month.
“However, with most of the children being abandoned, only a handful make regular payments.”
He said the centre was now struggling to continue operations as public donations dropped after the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
"We now receive only about RM9,000 to RM10,000 in donations per month," he said, adding that the centre needs more than RM20,000 a month to sustain its operation.
He added that the centre’s monthly expenses include RM1,800 in rental, RM1,500 in utility bills and salaries for six full-time staff.
“So far, we have not faced shortages of food and groceries, as these are regularly donated by the public,” said Yahya, who has 27 years of experience working in similar facilities.
He said among the facilities available at the centre were a sensory room equipped with lights, music and aromatherapy to help manage emotional outbursts among children with autism, as well as basic physiotherapy conducted by volunteers.
“We don’t just look after them, we also train them. Some came here wearing diapers and no longer need them, while some who could not walk are now able to move on their own.”
Apart from financial donations, he said the centre also welcomed contributions of mattresses as well as adult and children-sized diapers, which were frequently needed.
“Public visits, student volunteer programmes and corporate social responsibility activities are also encouraged to provide emotional support for the children.”
Yahya said the public could call the centre at 013-999 9524 for more information.
for more info:
https://specialchildrenhome.org.my
Empowering Children With Multiple Disabilities A Brighter Future At Johor Disabled Children Charitable and Cares Organisation, we foster a pleasant environment with special care and resources, where children with multiple incurable disabilities can find the space they need to reach their full potent...
