As founder of Peace and Harmony Home, an old folks’ home in Penang, he has many responsibilities that go beyond taking residents to doctors’ appointments, administering medications, and cleaning bed sores.
But his mother’s words when he established the non-profit home in 2015 remain in his mind.
“She told me, ‘From today onwards, you are no longer just my son. You’ve become the child of every elderly person in the home. You are responsible for them, so you must love and care for them well’,” Tan, 60 told FMT Lifestyle.
And he has kept that promise. Today, the home, sustained by public donations, is a refuge for 31 residents.
According to Tan, some are battling stage four cancer, HIV and Parkinson’s disease. They all share one common hardship – they are poor and don’t have children who can care for them.
There are also two residents in their 40s with autism. Like the others, they have found a sanctuary in the home.
Tan began caring for the less fortunate when his uncle, who was battling cancer, was hospitalised in 2008. Since his uncle was not proficient in English or Malay, Tan stayed by his side to assist with communication.
“I saw many elderly people who had been abandoned, and had nowhere to go upon discharge,” Tan recalled.
Later, he became a social worker at the hospital, where his role was to learn more about the patients’ backgrounds, and arrange nursing home placements for those without caregivers.
However, he soon discovered that free nursing homes preferred residents who could care for themselves. Determined to help those who couldn’t, he sought alternative homes and personally paid for their costs.
“In 2010, I even sold my house to cover their monthly expenses.”
He eventually started Peace and Harmony Home. After finding an affordable rental property on Jalan Ismail Che Mat, he moved in with 11 elderly residents he had been supporting. His mother also joined them.
“No one wanted the property as it was reputed to be haunted!” he shared, adding that the area was also prone to flooding.
“I wasn’t afraid of ghosts, but I did worry about the flooding,” he recalled. It did flood once, damaging the recycled items he had planned to sell to help cover the home’s expenses.
So, he found another rental property on Jalan Thomas, where the home remains today.
Over the years, the big-hearted Tan has also supported orphans and children from underprivileged families by paying their education fees and their medical treatments.
Sadly, the demands of his work took a toll on his health. Just days before his birthday on March 1 last year, he collapsed and underwent open-heart surgery to replace his heart valves.
These days, although he has delegated the more physically demanding tasks to his staff, he admits there’s still much that requires his attention.
“I often feel exhausted. I need to take a break, maybe for 10 to 14 days, to recharge. But I’m needed here.”
It is also especially hard when a resident passes away. “I live with them 24/7, and they are like my family. It’s always very sad and I cry.”
Indeed, this job isn’t for everyone – it involves long days, hard work and many sacrifices. Still, Tan shared, he is determined to keep going for the residents he loves.
His efforts have not gone unnoticed: he was honoured with the 6th Guang Ming Hero Award 2022. His social work also inspired RHB Group’s Chinese New Year short film this year.
“I always tell people to appreciate their parents and look after them well. Don’t abandon them at hospitals when they are old after they have brought you up. Love your parents.”
If you’d like to help Peace and Harmony Home, contact Tan Swee Ban at 010-396 9681.
Peace and Harmony Home
56, Jalan Thomas
11700 Gelugor
Penang
Visiting hours: 9am–4.30pm (Contact Tan before visiting)
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