Homeless volunteer to undergo empowerment programme to start anew

More than 100 homeless people in the city have volunteered to undergo the first phase of the Homeless Empowerment Programme, which aimed at helping and motivating them to start anew.

Federal Territories Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Adnan Md Ikshan said these homeless people would be housed at two National Service Training camps in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor, and in Mantin, Negeri Sembilan, throughout the two-month programme, which began Tuesday.

"They need not worry about any cost and logistics as it will be provided. They will also receive monthly allowance," he said after witnessing the operation to help and lure homeless people to voluntarily join the programme organised by the ministry with cooperation from the Federal Territories Social Welfare Department, here today.

The operation, which is the first in its series, began at midnight yesterday covering areas around the Kuala Lumpur Jamek Mosque, Lebuh Pudu, Jalan Tun Perak, Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, National Mosque and Jalan Masjid India.

Adnan said it was hoped that through the programme, the homeless could be helped and guided to enable them to get out of poverty.

Meanwhile, Adnan also advised non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to follow a proper channel in their bid to distribute aid and donations to the homeless in the city.

He said despite having good intention, the unorganised distribution of aid and food to the homeless by those NGOs had left certain areas dirty and hence, tarnished the image of the city.

For example, he said food donations should be gathered at the Homeless Transit Centre in Jalan Pahang here to ensure proper and systematic distribution to the homeless.

-- BERNAMA