English 
By providing food, clothes and shelter to the street people of KL, Grace Community Services continues to assist the less fortunate despite challenges.
KUALA LUMPUR: Below the tall buildings and glittering skyscrapers of the city, a growing number of marginalised people are making the streets of Kuala Lumpur their home.
While it might be easy to turn a blind eye to their plight, Grace Community Services Kuala Lumpur (GCS KL) is determined to help as much as it can.
GCS KL comes under the larger umbrella of Grace Community Services – a non-governmental organisation founded in 1990 by humanitarian Dr Henry Pillai – which aims to help the underprivileged by addressing issues such as urban poverty, homelessness, unwanted pregnancies, alcoholism and substance abuse.
Its mission is to “provide shelter to the homeless, food for the hungry, clothing for the naked, and counselling for the distressed”.
GCS KL coordinator Gurmit Jassal tells FMT that many who live on the streets come from broken families, and have been abused by their loved ones “mentally or sexually”.
“Many also suffer from mental illnesses such as depression and nervous breakdowns,” he says. “They are of various races and from different backgrounds. Some struggle with alcoholism and drugs, while others are prostitutes.
“These are people who are hurting, who have unfulfilled dreams and carry baggage in their hearts.”
GCS KL runs three programmes to help the homeless. Firstly, hot meals are distributed from their centre on Jalan Medan Bunus at 5pm on Sundays.
A typical meal consists of spaghetti or rice, meat, vegetables, gravy, fruit and drinks, the preparation of which begins early in the morning for Gurmit and his team of volunteers.
“If there are any leftovers, I travel to other areas and pass them to the elderly and poor,” Gurmit says, adding that smaller quantities of food are also given out on other days.
About 1,200 meals are distributed every month, although the pandemic has led to greater need. “I believe the number of urban poor will increase in the coming years, which is very concerning. We must be prepared to help and feed them,” Gurmit says.
The second programme involves providing the marginalised a temporary respite from the streets. Throughout the week, they are invited to the centre to take a shower, wash their clothes, or simply have a rest.
Clean clothes, shoes and toiletries are also provided – simple items that can restore the dignity of a person.
Finally, GCS KL runs a clinic for street people to receive free medical care, medication for simple ailments, and referrals for serious conditions.
Due to a lack of volunteer doctors, however, only minor treatment is provided. Gurmit says he hopes more doctors will come on board, and adds that he has driven some of the more serious cases to hospital himself.
Beyond these initiatives, the team takes time to talk to the homeless and hear their stories, providing them with a little companionship and compassion.
How you, too, can help
GCS KL welcomes monetary contributions to support its operations, and is also in need of second-hand clothes in good condition.
“When people drop off clothes that are damaged, we do what we can to mend them. But sometimes we end up spending money sending these clothes to the tailor just so they can be worn,” Gurmit explains.
He and his wife, Celina Joseph, have been involved in GCS KL for almost 15 years. Although it is hard work, he says seeing lives being transformed motivates them to keep going.
“As human beings, we must do all we can to help the poor, orphans and widows,” Gurmit adds.
Grace Community Services Kuala Lumpur
Lot 81E, 4th Floor, Sri Bunus,
Jalan Medan Bunus,
Off Jalan Masjid India,
50100 Kuala Lumpur
