.... seeing is believing

Yours Sincerely ( Y S ), being Thomas, has to see it to believe. So, Y S made a trip with some friends to the "Little Sisters of the Poor" at Batu Lancang, Penang. Seeing is indeed believing, the facade of the complex looks like a five-star hotel. It has recently been renovated, refurbished and upgraded.

The home is managed by the Little Sisters of the Poor, a religious order established in 1839 by Anne Jeanne in France. Their motto " Serving Jesus in the Elderly Poor" very much befits what the Good Lord teaches, " Blessed are the poor....... " Looking at this awesome home and the facilities for the aged poor " it is so beautiful to be poor, to have nothing, and to await all from God."

This is the Sister-in-charge giving a briefing.

There is a piano at the common area to soothe the ears of the aged. How blessed !

The home has its own salon to enjoy a hair cut. Wonder there is perming and setting ?

There is even a fully equipped gymnasium with facilities and instructors for physiotherapy.

Y S met and chatted with one of the latest intakes, 72. He had a stroke and is half paralyze.

She is a hundred plus - the oldest female in the home. The aged returned to their 2nd childhood, thus the teddy bear.

This is the oldest male and also over 100. He has lost almost all his senses and is existing. God might have forgotten him.

This is the only home where you get such a chair to rest in such a space.

This is the all stainless steel high-tech kitchen.

This is the pantry where the aged can chit chat in comfort over tea, coffee, Milo ....

They are really chit chatting. This is the only home where Y S could see the residents interacting . Y S wonders what they chatted about.

This is found on the door of every room. They are known by their names and not mere numbers. The photos are meant for them to identify their rooms.


The court yard in front of the home.

Y S forgot to photograph the library with inter-net excess and also a serene chapel. It is not easy to qualify for a place here. One has to be the poorest among the poor. Among the homes Y S had visited, this one is exceptional. It shows dignity for the aged.

However good a home for the aged is, humankind shows 4 stages : infancy, childhood, adolescence and obsolescence. To grow old is to pass from passion to compassion.


P.S. Y S will be visiting a charity home for the aged to see the contrast.