Wesak Day is one of the most important festivals in the Buddhist calendar. It commemorates three significant events in Siddhārtha Gautama’s life: His birth, enlightenment, and death.
On this auspicious day, Buddhists and some Hindus celebrate by heading to the temples to pray and meditate on the teachings of Gautama Buddha. This includes the five precepts, which outline a code of conduct:
- Refrain from taking life
- Refrain from taking what is not given
- Refrain from the misuse of the senses
- Refrain from wrong speech
- Refrain from intoxicants that cloud the mind
The five precepts not only outline how one should conduct themselves, but also demonstrates the need to care and have compassion for others.
This is why during Wesak Day celebrations, many choose to make donations to the less fortunate, exemplifying what it means to be selfless, and to give without expectation of rewards or compliments.
Wesak Day: A Time To Reflect On The Needs Of Others
As we continue to battle the ongoing pandemic and celebrate Wesak Day in the comfort of our homes, the sad reality is that many Malaysians are affected by the MCOs/CMCOs.
These people have not only lost their jobs and livelihoods, but also their homes. In the face of such scary uncertainty, how will these people continue to provide a safe shelter for themselves and their loved ones?
The right to adequate housing (meaning a sturdy and stable structure to protect from the elements, running water and electricity, as well as security) is recognised by the United Nations as a fundamental human right.
In Malaysia, there are several NGOs that support people who live in dilapidated housing conditions, those who are homeless, and people with no place to go for reasons ranging from domestic violence to drug abuse.
At a time when the whole world is struggling on many different levels, any amount of thought, care, or attention has the power to uplift and bring a smile to the faces of those who are often left to live on the sidelines of society.
The isolation of being on the fringes of society is something we can all perhaps recognise, to some degree, having experienced the various times we’ve been in lockdown.
To spread some love and bring hope to the less fortunate this Wesak Day, we’ve listed six housing charities that work towards supporting underprivileged Malaysians with a safe, clean, and adequate place to call home!
1) Happy Family Homes Malaysia
This non-profit organisation builds homes for those in need through its home partners participation, as well as support by volunteers and donors.
The idea is for home partners to invest through ‘sweat equity’ to build their own home, while creating lasting connections with the community around them.
2) Epic Homes
Epic Homes is a housing charity that bridges the divide between urban and rural folks by building homes for underprivileged communities with a focus on the Orang Asli of Peninsular Malaysia.
An Epic Home can be built in as little as 3-4 days, with modular design based on different family or land sizes, designed to suit the needs of the Orang Asli community.
The great thing about the entire programme, is that the process is easy to understand, and also fun to build with the team of volunteers!
3) Ronald McDonald House
Two Ronald McDonald Houses, located within the grounds of Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM, KL and Hospital USM, Kelantan, offer families affordable accommodation while their children undergo treatment at the hospitals.
Those who need help finding a home-away-from-home can reach out for support, and remain close to their children during some of their most vulnerable times.
4) Rumah Kita
Rumah Kita provides temporary housing, nourishment, and pre- and post-natal care for single pregnant women who have been abandoned by their families.
The home also works with doctors, paediatricians, and counsellors to give these women dignity and the opportunity to reconnect with their families.
5) Positive Living Community
This community home in Batu Arang is among the few charity housing available specifically for male citizens in the country, living with infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS. Residents are treated with dignity and provided with shelter, care, and support.
The social stigma attached to men seeking help has led to institutions such as Sungai Buloh Hospital, Selayang Hospital, Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, University Hospital, and Kuala Lumpur General Hospital reaching out to Positive Living Community as a last resort for patients with nowhere to go.
6) Tenaganita
There are already several refugee charities in existence, which provide support to the refugee community in Malaysia.
However, Tenaganita not only aids refugees, but also the migrant community, asylum seekers, trafficked women and children, as well as domestic workers.
By providing care, safety, legal aid services, and safe repatriation, women and children are protected and supported to live in a dignified manner.
Tenaganita is also a charity for homeless families that strongly advocates human rights, and fights for the legal rights of the marginalised in this country.
While we ponder on the meaning of this special day, let us remember to reach out to those who are underprivileged and unable to live with the same comforts we enjoy daily. A small helping hand can go a long way towards brightening up someone’s day.
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