In Gurpuri, no kids are left behind

KUALA LUMPUR: Among the many bungalows on the hills of Taman Ulu Kelang, here sits a multi-storey orphanage that boasts itself as the first Sikh-run welfare children's home in the world outside of India.
Welcome to the Gurpuri Foundation's orphanage, a place that provides a roof, beds, and family for 70 disadvantaged children between five and 22-years old to call home.
Despite being a Sikh-run home, the house does not cater just one particular religious group and instead believes that every child should be given the chance to live life.
"Our home is open to all races as we believe that everyone deserves to be helped when in need," said Giani Sukhdaiv Singh, founder of the Gurpuri Foundation.
"Everybody is created by God, the one and only God. We serve all children regardless of their religion. We do not reject any child," he told theSun in a recent interview after hosting Bakti, the association of the wives of Ministers and deputy ministers.
Bakti had during the visit, donated RM20,000 and hampers to the home.
Sukhdaiv said a total of 150 children had been helped by the home since it began operation in 2000 and all of them had made progress in their lives, with many pursuing professional careers after leaving the orphanage.
Placing education at its core, he said occupants of the orphanage were not neglected in their learning process as they were all sent to attend government schools.
On top of that, the children were also given tuition classes at home by personal tutors hired by the orphanage.
"We educate them as far as they want to go. We do not leave them halfway, we oversee it even after they have completed secondary school. We don't leave them, not until they can stand on their own," he said.
Amazingly, the home did not simply inculcate its children on a path of professional careers that guarantees good living after they graduate.
"We even hire music teachers for children that have shown interest in the field. There are children that have different interest.
"We cannot just tell them you can't pursue your career in such fields. Instead, we will accommodate them in any way we can," Sukhdaiv assured.
Being an orphanage that runs on public donation, Sukhdaiv admitted that maintaining a shelter for the unfortunate children was not as easy and simple as many might had thought.
Therefore, he said the home had a very strict policy in accepting children to ensure that none of the donated money was used wrongly.
"Our expenditure to maintain the orphanage now stands at around RM45,000 to RM50,000 per month. This includes various expenses such as paying our staff and electricity bill," he said.
The orphanage was just a first step in spreading the love for humanity, as the foundation has a bigger plan, literally.
It was currently in the midst of building a multi-purpose complex on a 17ha land in Bentong, Pahang, where, upon completion, would house several facilities such as the home for senior citizens and training centre for widows and school dropouts.
Sukhdaiv said the project had just completed its first phase and currently entering its second phase.
However, he said the project, estimated to cost RM60 million, could only progress as the donation comes.
"We don't have money. We don't have that luxury. The whole project can be finished in two years, but it highly depends on donation," he added.
Members of the public who want to make a donation to the cause can do so via Gurpuri Foundation's Public Bank account 310-3310-600, or call 03-41089349 for more information.