As OrphanCare celebrates its 15th anniversary, we reflect on a journey filled with compassion, resilience, and impactful collaborations. Our mission, envisioned by our late founder Allahyarham Dato Adnan Mohd Tahir, has always been clear – to ensure every child grows in the warmth of a family. Since our inception in 2008, we’ve evolved from a small NGO into a non-profit foundation, thanks to the unwavering support of our founders, trustees, and collaborators.
A Decade and a Half of Transformation
OrphanCare began as a fledgling NGO in 2008, registered as “Pertubuhan Kebajikan Dan Pengurusan Anak-Anak Yatim, Kuala Lumpur (OrphanCARE)”. In 2012, we re-established as OrphanCare Foundation, a move that gave us greater control and direction. From just 4 staff members, we’ve grown to 17 dedicated individuals across three branches in Petaling Jaya, Johor Bharu, and Sungai Petani.
The First Baby Hatch and Beyond
A significant milestone was setting up Malaysia’s first baby hatch in Petaling Jaya in May 2010. The response was immediate, and within three weeks, we received our first baby. As of November 2023, we have rescued 550 babies, with around 70% being adopted by carefully screened families and 30% reunited with their birth mothers.
Our founder once shared, “The seed of change was sown with a simple, yet profound belief: every child’s place is in a family, not in an institution. It is this belief that has fueled OrphanCare’s mission, transforming the lives of countless children and families.”
Deinstitutionalisation: A Core Focus
Our deinstitutionalisation (DI) and reintegration programs, initiated with a landmark conference in 2013, have been immensely important. Our progress would be incomplete without acknowledging the generous support of our collaborators. Yayasan Hasanah, Sunquick, Yayasan Sime Darby, and HSBC Foundation have not just funded us but also shared in our vision, enabling us to impact lives and advocate for family-based care. With support from generous and kind partners, we’ve been able to conduct in-depth research and advocate for family-based care (FBC) as the best environment for children’s growth.
Here are few highlights we would like to share and give appreciation:
- Yayasan Hasanah (2011-2019)
Yayasan Hasanah’s generous funding significantly bolstered our aim of integrating institutionalised children with families. Their support was instrumental in advancing our core mission and operations.
- Sunquick (2020)
Sunquick’s contribution of RM127,866, one of our largest one-off donations, was a beacon of hope amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. It underscored the community’s belief in our mission and directly impacted our ability to reintegrate children with loving families.
- Yayasan Sime Darby (2014-Present)
Yayasan Sime Darby has been a pillar of support, allowing us to continue our critical work. Their backing has enabled us to rescue babies at risk of abandonment, support potential adoptive parents, and raise awareness on sexual and reproductive health.
- HSBC Foundation (2015-2017)
HSBC Foundation’s funding facilitated numerous awareness programs. Their partnership played a key role in changing societal mindsets, emphasizing that orphanages should be transit points before placing children in family environments.
But it doesn’t stop there, one of our biggest motivators and contributors for growth are from our digital donors and community!
This year has seen a digital outpouring of love, with RM43,509 raised through 298 donations, including RM11,049 in recurring donations. Our heartfelt thanks go to each donor, with special recognition to our top one-time benefactors, including Pascal and Mohd Yusuf, and our dedicated monthly supporters like Azura and Julian Yeap, among many others. Your generosity fuels our work and cements our resolve to continue our mission.
Especially in the current economic climate, our digital community donations mean the world to us and fuels us to work harder in striving for our mission. Securing funding, resistance from some children’s institutions, stress of overwhelming physical, emotional workload and many more, have been some of the many hurdles we face on a daily basis, but with more collaborative advocacy, we aim to place more children in family-based care, countering their otherwise bleak future.
Vision for the Future
From the first baby hatch to the continuous efforts in reintegration and advocacy, we’ve made important steps. The amendment to the Child Act, acknowledging family-based care, stands as a testament to our advocacy efforts. We also honor the partnerships with healthcare institutions like KPJ and An-Nur, which have been invaluable in extending our reach.
Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch OrphanCare’s new Vision, Mission, and Brand Values in 2024. Our vision is a world where every child has a loving family, and our mission is to ease despair and give hope through loving families. We believe advocacy and awareness are key to our mission, and with increased community and corporate buy-in, we can ensure more children grow up in nurturing environments.
A Message of Thanks
On this momentous occasion, we extend our deepest appreciation to our founders, trustees, collaborators, and digital donors. Your unwavering support has not only enriched lives but has also helped shape society’s future leaders. We stand on the brink of a new era, inspired by your generosity and driven by a shared mission.
Join Us on This Journey
We invite you to continue walking this path with us. Follow our story, contribute to our cause, and help us ensure that every child in Malaysia knows the love of a family. Because every donation, big or small, matters.
