Four friends' compassion creates a haven for neglected elderly

Four friends from Bukit Besar, Kuala Terengganu, have dedicated their time and energy to establishing a care center for neglected elderly individuals, ensuring they receive love and respect. Founded in 2024, the Laman Kasih Budi center aims to provide a safe and caring environment for seniors who have lost their support systems.

Zanariah Ghani, the founder of the Terengganu Elderly Care and Activity Center, Laman Kasih Budi, explained that the facility houses dozens of residents. These include frail elderly individuals, bedridden patients, and victims of domestic violence who require continuous attention and protection. The initiative stems from a sense of responsibility, witnessing the plight of many elderly Muslims left without adequate care.

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They just waited, not knowing where to go. That situation truly tore at my heart.

Zanariah, 51, whose experience as a supplier of hospital equipment and a caregiver at several hospitals, including Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah, opened her eyes to the harsh realities faced by the elderly. She recalled the heartbreaking moment of seeing elderly patients discharged from the hospital with no family to pick them up. "They just waited, not knowing where to go. That situation truly tore at my heart," she shared.

This profound experience motivated Zanariah and her three friends, Zalifah Zawawi, Nor Farahanis Anuar, and Engku Nurulhuda Engku Din, to establish the Terengganu Elderly Love Association Kasih Budi Warga Emas. Initially focused on welfare activities, their efforts evolved into a full-fledged care center by October of the same year. Each founder contributes unique skills: Zalifah manages human resources, Nor Farahanis serves as a counselor, and Engku Nurulhuda works as a caregiver. The center now cares for 24 residents, aged 21 to 95, offering them a 'second home' and a much-needed family.

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This is where we strive to be a 'second family' that provides love, attention, and care for them.