3.0 Problems Faced by Existing Social Welfare Architecture in Malaysia

3.0 Problems Faced by Existing Social Welfare Architecture in Malaysia (draft)

From the survey that have been conducted, 63% of the people think that social welfare architecture is being neglected but improving in these recent years, 31% agreed that these centres are being neglected all the time. This shows that majority of the people in Malaysia do not really pay attention to these centres. The facilities in the homes are very insufficient and the space is congested. Surprisingly, from the interview with the old folks and orphans who are living in these home, majority of them are satisfied with the current situation as they are already used to it. However when they are asked whether they wish to improve their living condition to have a better, bigger, more comfortable place to stay, more than 80% of them answered yes. This shows that whenever there is a chance to live a better life they will definitely go for it, is just the financial problem that stop them from imagining or getting what is better for them. In conclusion, the problems that most of the social welfare centres are facing including the location, exterior, interior and landscape design, facilities, maintenance, cleanliness and most importantly, the space planning.

3.1 Main problem: being neglected

The main problem is they are being neglected by the government, architects, designers and the public.

3.2 Living Condition

3.2.1 Space Planning

The spaces like the living area has to become a multipurpose area where it turns into a sleeping area in the night, spaces are very congested and the abandoned have to sleep and eat in the same place.

For example, one of the orphanage in Kajang with 35 residents in the home but only 2 bedrooms are provided, the children have to sleep near to the car porch area in the night due to the problem of lack of rooms in the home.

Another example is an old folks home in Klang have only two separated public sleeping areas for the female and male elderly with no partitions to separate each of them, there is no private rooms or any other areas for them to carry out different activities. In addition, there is no privacy in the home.

For instance, there are only 3 small rooms in one of the orphanage at Petaling Jaya which is not enough for the children and few of them have to sleep in the study area next to the living area and kitchen.

Another example of bad space planning is an old folks home located at Section 3 Petaling Jaya. From the entrance to the kitchen, there is just one corridor with individual rooms on the left and right where the elderly lives in. There are only two public living areas located at the first floor and at the car porch where the elderly can meet. This will definitely stopping them from interact and communicate with each other, and indirectly increase their sense of loneliness and affect their mood.

3.2.2 Interior Design

In terms of the interior, majority the homes have very simple and commercial design with only some colourful and striking coloured paint on the wall which is not suitable for the children development and the elderly to have a peace and restful environment.

3.2.3 Exterior Design

The exterior or the outlook of most of the homes are straightforward with a very plain signboard with the name of the home.

3.2.4 Activities

The main problem that found in almost all of the old folks home is that there is a lack of communication between the elderly. Furthermore, they feel lonely and they have the mindset of they are useless since they are already old, they refuse to integrate with one another. This is because there is no activities that bring them together. Therefore, spaces with different functions that can bring different activities should be built and designed for them to make their life more colourful and interesting, furthermore this is to make sure that they still feel that there is hope in life and there are something that they can contribute to, to continue living in a lively environment.

3.2.5 Landscape Design

Outdoor area is very important to both the old folks home and orphanages. This is because children who are still growing tend to be curious about new things including the different plants and insects that surround them. In addition, large spaces are needed for them to run around, jump around and many other more activities and exercises. So, it is vital to locate the orphanage close to the greenery to give the chance to the children to grow in the nature which will definitely improve their health. Other than that,

3.2.6 Facilities

Nonetheless, majority of the homes are well maintained in terms of the cleanliness and with basic facilities such as water heater, sufficient fans, tables and chairs,  cooking utensils, wheelchairs and handrails for the elderly, bookshelves for the children and. Other facilities that are also needed in social welfare homes which most of the homes do not have are anti-slip floor tiles and handle bar for the elderly (to be continue)

3.3 How they are treated and the workers attitude

The society's attitude towards the old folks and orphans are improving nowadays. This can be seen through the regularly donations from the public and the number of volunteers who come to help in the homes. From the interview that have been done, universities and colleges are sending students to these homes as part of their projects to let them show their ability in taking care of the elderly and children, also to educate them the importance of charity of service. For instance, the abandoned are well treated by the staffs and the volunteers. Most of the workers are from overseas, mostly Cambodia, Philippines and Indonesia. They are helpful and friendly. This relationship is important in every home to ensure that the quality of life of the people living in it. Nevertheless, there are also homes with bad attitude workers. For example, there is one person in charge of an orphanage in Klang whose attitude is very pompous. She rejected my biscuits during my visit just because the amount of biscuits I brought is too little for them as the home is well funded. Furthermore, the way she talked to me is very awful as well. This attitude will definitely gives a very bad image to the public and this will definitely affect the name and funding sources of the home.