The employer looking at Yong Fa’s (pseudonym) Identification Card said: “Sorry, wa tak boleh pakai you. Usia sudah tinggi.” A feeling of despondency quickly came over him, and he uttered, “Now, I’m a gone case.”

I DON’T HAVE A HOME

THE SECURITY GUARD POST IS MY SLEEPING PLACE

Yong Fa is in his seventies. He has never been to school and has no idea what the inside of one looks like. He was born in Rawang, Selangor. He had many siblings, but their youngest sister was the only one who received a proper education until Standard 6. In his younger days, he worked in many states around Malaysia. Over recent years, he finally settled down in Butterworth, Penang, and worked as a security guard.   
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Yong Fa said, “I don’t have a home; the security guard post is my sleeping place.” During the day, he would hang out with his friends at nearby coffee shops. At 6 p.m., he would rush for a bath and get himself ready to start his night security duty. He would rest and sleep late at night if everything were in order. Yong Fa is content that he has a roof on top of his head for resting, a meagre income to fill his stomach and occasionally some extra money to buy cigarettes.

NO PLACE FOR RESTING

ENDED UP WANDERING AROUND

Day by day passed, Yong Fa’s age caught up with him and his body was no longer like before. Foreign workers gradually took over securities work at his community. They are taller, larger, younger and stronger. Their bigger stature and efficiency provide better assurance to the residents within the community. Yong Fa began to have difficulties in getting a job, even with references from his friends. He would be turned down whenever the prospect employer saw his identification card and became aware of his age. 

Yong Fa was forced to wander and sleep in the streets after he lost his resting place. His condition worsened, when he had an accident and hurt his eyes. He would sleep at the little temple by the roadside, and eat the offerings at the altar whenever hungry. It was difficult to sleep during rainy days with all the mosquitoes around. He lived this lonely and broken life for two years. Later, he moved to rock benches at a flat and slept there. Nearby were elevators that people used daily. After a while, some residents got to know him and knew that he was a homeless elderly.

WHY DO YOU SLEEP

 AT THE BENCHES?

Anna was one of those people who were aware of it. She shared with Pr. Lim Lang Huang of 7979 Holistic Care Station at Butterworth Life Baptist Church of Yong Fa’s predicaments. Pr. Lim then arranged for a visit. She shared, “When I first saw him, I asked him why he slept at those rock benches.” Yong Fa did not conceal anything, he truthfully answered all questions thrown to him by Pr. Lim. She tried to apply for an elderly allowance from Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, however it was rejected due to no housing address.         

When all the doors shut, God opens a window. Living nearby at the flat was a 7979 Manna Food Bank’s aid recipient, Ah Chen (pseudonym). Under the recommendation of Pr. Lim, Ah Chen rented a room out to Yong Fa with a low price. Yong Fa finally has a house address, so when he applied again for the elderly allowance, he got it this time. 
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“Only after I met Pr. Lim, I can live this good life, in the past … ” Yong Fa was choking with sobs, unable to speak, he tried to hold himself together for a moment, then continued: “If not for Pr. Lim, I am lost and helpless.” When Yong Fa shared his feelings and thoughts, he couldn’t help but be emotional like a little boy, who finally has a home to return to, even though he is already in his seventies. Pr. Lim recalled in those early days when she approached Yong Fa, he always showed a sorrowful face and bad temper. Today, his smile begins to show on his face again after he received the aid from 7979 Family Crisis Intervention Fund, managed to rent a room as a home, and lastly got the allowance from the Welfare Department.