KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 —  It has been about six months since nine-year-old Haikal Baihakki’s parents sent him to a welfare home and although he still misses them, the void in his heart is slowly being filled by a much bigger family. 

“My parents could not afford to take care of me and my two younger siblings, so they sent me here,” he told Sunday Mail.

Haikal is one of 30 children who are orphaned or come from destitute families living at the Rumah Amal Suci Rohani. 

Like many of the other children in the home, his parents are also separated and he was reluctant to open up about life with his parents. 

The pupil of Sekolah Rendah Tahfi al-Mahabbah in Petaling Jaya said he had a hard time adjusting when he was first sent to the home but he eventually adapted and found kinship with the other boys. 

“I have 12 other brothers now. I enjoy living here. I learn to share and care for one another, especially during this holy month of Ramadan,” he said.

Although he missed out on the excitement of preparing for Raya with his parents and siblings, he looked forward to spending time with them from today.

“Sometimes I feel sad that I’m away from my parents because they cannot (financially) support my siblings and I.

“But I’m more than happy to be able to see them again during Raya, even if it is just for two days,” he said. 

Located in Bandar Utama, the home has been managed by Siti Noor Aisyah Samsuri for the last five years.

She said besides the 13 boys, there are also 17 girls living in a separate dorm in the home. 

Asked how the fasting month was observed at the home, Siti Noor Aisyah said: “The younger ones find it tough to wake up for their pre-dawn meal but they are adjusting to it, and thankfully they are not fussy with what they were served with.

“Before Raya, I would always make it a point to bake cookies with the children, the girls, especially, love it.” 

Siti Noor Aisyah said during Hari Raya, the children who still have parents would be sent back to their homes, and those who are orphaned, would go with their caretakers back to their hometown. 

She said she and the caretakers have so far brought three children back to their hometowns. 

“The last thing they need is to feel alone during Raya.”

The children will usually reunite in the home after two days, and would continue celebrating by attending open houses hosted by companies, besides having open houses of their own. 

Established in 2010, the home provides a safe haven for boys and girls, aged seven to 12.