The home was established in 1997 by Mr. Alex Arokiam in collaboration with the Drugs & Aids Ministry of the National Office for Human Development, under the directorship of Br. Anthony Rogers fsc. It was a time when many homeless patients with AIDS were dying in the back lanes of the city as there wasn’t a single shelter (government or private) that was willing to accept persons with AIDS. Stigma,
prejudice & discrimination of victims of HIV and AIDS were widespread. Most of them were also suffering from drug addiction and in need of treatment so that they can free themselves and attend to their other illnesses. This unused farmhouse in Batu Arang was converted to admit and care for homeless persons with HIV and AIDS and became one of our first shelter. In 2002, the center’s efforts were recognized and appreciated by the French Foreign Mission. Since then, they have continuously supplied our home with a male volunteer nurse and help us provide excellent nursing care to deal with the many complications endured by our patients. In the first 10 years of its operation, when treatment for HIV and AIDS was not available in Malaysia, more than 120 persons in the AIDS stage were admitted for palliative care and died peacefully, in a homely environment that offered tender loving care. As of May 2015, the home usually catered for up to 45 persons in 3 residential homes all located within 1/2 Km from each other and all in Batu Arang. In May 2015, we were approached by the UNHCR to receive Rohinggya Muslim 'boat people' with temporary disabilities. They are victims of human trafficking. They are in need of shelter, care & support and rehabilitation. Since then, our total intake has risen to 70-80 persons at a time. The number of residential homes is currently 4.
