ABOUT RM200,000 was collected during a charity dinner held in conjunction with the launch of OrphanCARE at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre last Saturday.

OrphanCARE patron, the Sultanah of Pahang Sultanah Kalsom, launched the non-government organisation with a video presentation highlighting the plight of abandoned babies and offering a solution through the OrphanCARE Baby Hatch proposal.

In her speech, the Sultanah said the growing incidence of premarital sex, especially among teenagers, had led to an increase in incidents of babies being killed, thrown into rubbish bins, or left on the roadside or in toilets.

“We at OrphanCARE have a place of refuge for the these babies, where parents can leave the babies with no questions asked.

“With the theme Every Child Needs a Family, OrphanCARE aims to give every orphan and abandoned baby a loving family by coordinating and working with the government in the adoption process.

This way, please: Sultanah Kalsom (right) showing Jackson (second from right) and his wife Halimah (second from left) the way as they enter the ballroom of the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. At left is Shahrizat. – Bernama

“Orphanages should be viewed as transit houses for orphans, who should be put up for immediate adoption because when they eventually grow up and become adults, they would have to leave the orphanage and would not have a family to rely on. In many cases, such young adults will indulge in unhealthy activities like taking drugs, prostitution or gangsterism,” she said.

The Sultanah’s special guest at the event was Jackson Five member Jermaine Jackson and his wife Halimah Jackson, who have been involved in many charity projects that help orphaned children globally.

During his four-day visit to Malaysia, Jackson and his wife visited Asrama Damai Rumah Anak-Anak Yatim Kuang in Kuang and Tengku Budriah Orphanage at Batu 4, Cheras.

Also present at the dinner was the Women, Family and Community Develop­ment Minister Senator Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Some 600 guests were entertained by Winnie Cheah-Lim and her young violinists and entertainers Harith Iskander, Yasin, Aisyah Hasnaa and Pacai, who sang the OrphanCARE theme song, which he composed.

There was also a sharing session by an adopted orphan on why he thought it was important that orphans be raised in a proper family environment.

The evening ended with a charity sale of carpets and paintings with the proceeds being channelled to OrphanCARE.