The past cannot be changed. Those involved in SHELTER’s work know that, but they also know that the present and the future hold hope even for those with the most desperate of pasts. Things can be done in the here and now to lessen the pain and burdens of a difficult past.

The following stories reflect SHELTER’s desire and dedication to give such people the resources they need in their present circumstances to build firm foundations for a better future.

A Single Mother’s Story

Juliana* is from a single-mother family. Her parents separated when she was nine years old. Juliana’s mother, Nancy*, had to work in a restaurant from early in the morning until late at night. Yet, although she worked long hours, she was often unable to make ends meet.

Life was tough for Juliana and her brother, Jason*. Nancy could not pay much attention to them due to her long working hours. Most of the time, they were left alone and had to take care of themselves.

Juliana began to seek love outside of home. She was not interested in her studies because she could not keep up with the lessons. She often played truant. After some time, she dropped out of school and started working.

At the age of 20, she met a man, David*. He showered her with expensive gifts and gave her the attention and care that she craved for. One day, she received a call from a woman who claimed to be David’s wife who wanted Juliana to leave him. At that time, Juliana was there months pregnant.

However, a ray of hope emerged when someone took Juliana to SHELTER’s Single Mothers’ Support Network. Another single mother, Betty*, linked her up with a home for unwed mothers, where Juliana stayed until she delivered a baby boy. Betty also helped Juliana to find sponsors for her delivery fees, confinement food and milk power for her baby.

With support and guidance from Betty and other single mothers, Juliana carries on with life as an unwed mother. In spite of her rough past, she still looks for hope and opportunities in the present and the future. The support she receives from the network has helped her to move beyond hopelessness and despair to hopefulness and optimism. Juliana dares to dream again because she knows that the dark clouds of a hopeless situation carry silver linings of hope and change.

Juliana sometimes wishes that her mother could have received this kind of support when her parents separated. With wise advice and proper guidance, her mother would have been better equipped and enabled to raise her two children well.

SHELTER recognizes these regrets. Thus, the work among single mothers continues – to help them tackle difficult situations, move towards better circumstances and like Juliana, find the courage to dream again.

A Former Juvenile’s Story

Allen* is only 17 years old but has already spent time in prison. He came from a single-parent family – his father left the family when he was younger – and his growing up years were rough. His mother remarried, but the family situation did not improve because his stepfather was abusive towards him. Allen eventually ran away from home and came to Kuala Lumpur. Someone introduced him to a network of VCD sellers which he joined in order to support himself. He enjoyed being able to live his own life away from home and an abusive stepfather.

All that changed in just one night. As he was selling VCDs in Cheras, the police raided the area he was in. Allen was caught and remanded in Kajang prison.

Allen waited for the day of his trial, which turned out to be a long-drawn six-month wait. The police had not yet completed their investigation, thus delaying Allen’s hearing in court.

In May 2005, SHELTER began conducting classes among the juvenile boys in Kajang Prison to help them keep up with their studies and to give the boys opportunities to live “normal” lives although they were confined within the prison walls.

Allen attended those classes and got to know the SHELTER staff who taught him. On the day of Allen’s hearing, the magistrate had a copy of SHELTER’s letter attesting that he had been attending classes regularly and that he had shown good behaviour while in remand. Allen was finally released.

Allen is grateful for the help that SHELTER gave to him while he was in prison as well as after his release. He is now living and working in the Klang Valley and still keeps in touch with SHELTER.

*Names have been changed to protect their identity