4.0 Reasons of These Buildings being Neglected

4.0 Reasons of These Buildings being Neglected (draft)

4.1 Not Profitable - Government

Government only put focus on those architecture which can stimulate the economics such as shopping malls, heritage buildings or tourists attraction etc. The body in charge of this issue is the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development. This body should find solution to solve this problem to protect and make sure that the abandoned are well being taken care of.

4.2 Attitude Problems of the Community

From the surveys, interviews and case studies that have been done, it surprised me that the living condition of the homes are actually not very bad as what we imagine. The facilities are insufficient but well maintained, just that they have not enough money to buy new facilities and refurbish the house. The only major problem is the insufficient of space, bad space planning and the psychological problem which is lacking of love and sense of belonging. 

The main source of money for most of the private homes are from donations, but this method is not a regularly solution for all the homes to maintain the residents' life in terms of food, basic daily necessities such as clothes, shoes, shampoos etc as well as water and electricity bills. The public only donate during some festivals such as Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Hari Raya, Mothers' Day, Fathers' Day and Children's Day. They only remember the abandoned during these festivals due to the reasons of busy with works. 

4.3 Maintenance Problem

Buildings need to be maintained from time to time to ensure the safety of the people living in it. Most of the social welfare buildings are donated by enthusiastic people, and most of the houses are already old with poor construction work and old facilities. For example, the first floor is totally abandoned in one of the orphanage at Petaling Jaya because it is full of termites, orphans are forced to sleep in the ground floor only, and this problem is already last for few months and not being solved due to the funding problem. The community is lack of maintenance culture.

4.4 What they actually need

From the interview that have been done with the experts, I found out that what we provide to the abandoned is not enough yet from the survey they have no comment with their living condition. This shows that they are used to and already adapted to the current situation and do not expect for any changes. When I ask them questions that trigger their mind such as "would you prefer a better living environment with better design and larger space, majority of them answer "I don't know". In fact, children need spaces to express themselves and interact with one another as they are growing, they are curious about new things. They need more love and care in their childhood so that they feel they are being appreciated. Children need education, healthy food and entertainment too.

On the other hand, elderly needs privacy and freedom to rest their body and mind, also to have own space to do their own activities such as meditation and reading. Apart from that, they need public areas to interact with different groups of people from different age as well especially when interact with children, they have the sense of contribution. Elderly always reluctant to make any changes in their life as their ability to adapt to a new environment is low, furthermore they always find themselves useless as time goes by, especially for those which is sick. So, they need activities that bring them joy, hope and happiness such as birthday celebration, Chinese calligraphy class, yoga etc. They are lonely, they need accompaniment and entertainment too.