It is Deepavali morning at Sai Pandian Children Orphanage Home in Setia Alam, and for 30 children, today is extra special because they’re celebrating with “family”.
“When we wake up, we shower, put on new clothes, pray, play with the younger ones, and have breakfast together,” said 17-year-old Tashini, who has lived here since she was 11.
There’s no glitz or grand feast, but the home glows with small, shared rituals: drawing kolam at dawn, saying mantras before breakfast, and waiting eagerly for the day’s visitors to the orphanage.
“We can only celebrate Deepavali if they come. It’s only through the public’s support that the children can celebrate,” said founder Pandian Sundaresan.
“Normally, people buy firecrackers, new clothes, and groceries before Deepavali. On Deepavali, we will wait for visitors to come, and if they do, we will welcome them in and celebrate with them and the children.”
Pandian opened this home in 2011, although back then, it was an old folks’ home. “It was my mum’s wish,” the 50-year-old transportation supervisor shared.
“We faced many difficulties growing up, and she always told me, ‘As much as you can, help others.’ She said it so often it became a part of me,” said Pandian, a native of Teluk Intan, Perak, who grew up in Kajang.
Seven years later, people began bringing children; and when the elderly residents passed on, he converted the home into an orphanage. “At the time, I felt like God wanted me to continue this for them,” he said.
Today, children aged four to 18 call this place home. Alongside them are two single mothers and one senior citizen who help as caretakers.
Their day runs like clockwork: early-morning mantras, school, chores, playtime, prayers, and homework.
“It’s really nice to stay here,” said Suriya, 10, who enjoys playing football with the other boys.
Susmitha, 17, agreed. “If you ask me where my family is, this is my family. The kids are everything for me. And we have someone to care for us as a father and a mother.”
Watching over the children is Santhamary, 53, who has been a part of the home for 17 years.
“Taking care of the kids is truly a joy for me,” she shared with a smile. “I’m like a mum to them. No matter how many of them call me ‘amma’, you cannot downplay the joy I feel.”
But running the home is quite a balancing act. It costs RM10,000-RM12,000 each month for food, rent, utilities, and school transport.
“We can’t say when we’ll get help or when we won’t,” Pandian admitted. “But whatever help we do get, I have to manage it well and allocate the funds to all the important areas.”
Still, what the children receive goes far beyond what money can buy. Volunteers teach them silambam and taekwondo. Others give tuition classes.
Education is non-negotiable. “To give them a good education, a good place to stay, a good life – that’s all I want,” Pandian stressed.
And it shows: over the years, many who grew up here, like Santhamary’s children, have gone on to become cabin crew, designers, police officers, engineers.
For Pandian, watching them step out into the world is the real reward. “If they lead a good life, that itself is a big source of happiness for me.”
This Deepavali, Pandian said the festivities at the orphanage aren’t about abundance – it’s about gratitude. Gratitude for good people, for small kindnesses.
“By the grace of God, even if not 10, at least four good people help us – it’s because of them we can celebrate every year,” he said.
His personal Deepavali wish this year? “My only wish is the children’s happiness. I want them to be happy.”
Members of the public are invited to visit Sai Pandian Children Orphanage Home on Deepavali day.
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Sai Pandian Children Orphanage Home
2, Jalan Setia Indah U13/11D,
Setia Alam,
40170 Shah Alam, Selangor
For location, click here.
Contact: 016-258 1630 (Pandian)