A HOME OF HOPE: ESTABLISHING A SAFE AND NURTURING HOUSE FOR ORPHANED CHILDREN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58676/sjmas.v4i6.177Keywords:
Malaysia, Child welfare, Residential child care, Trauma-informed care, Orphaned childrenAbstract
Background: Orphaned children are exposed to multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including parental loss, poverty, trauma, and social instability, which significantly increase their risk of poor physical, mental, educational, and social outcomes. In Malaysia, there is a need for child-centered residential care models that extend beyond shelter provision to address the long-term developmental and psychosocial needs of vulnerable children. This project aimed to develop a trauma-informed residential care model for orphaned children in Kedah, Malaysia.
Methods and Material: A mixed-methods project planning approach was employed, incorporating a comprehensive literature review, stakeholder mapping, and semi-structured interviews with key informants from the Department of Social Welfare (JKM), healthcare services, mental health professionals, orphanage management, and community organizations. Evidence from trauma-informed care, the Social Ecological Model, and Life Course Health Development frameworks guided the design of the proposed intervention. Findings were synthesized to develop operational plans, partnership frameworks, monitoring and evaluation systems, and sustainability strategies.
Results: The project produced a comprehensive implementation blueprint for a trauma-informed residential home accommodating orphaned children in a family-style environment. Key components include stable housing, educational support, healthcare access, trauma counselling, life-skills development, and transition planning for independent living. Stakeholder consultations highlighted the importance of regulatory compliance, caregiver stability, integrated mental health services, and community engagement. The resulting model emphasizes multidisciplinary collaboration and long-term sustainability through government, community, and corporate partnerships.
Conclusion: The proposed “Home of Hope” model offers a holistic and evidence-based approach to improving the health, well-being, and future opportunities of orphaned children in Malaysia. By integrating trauma-informed care with educational, psychosocial, and health interventions, the project addresses critical social determinants of health and provides a scalable framework for strengthening child welfare services and promoting positive life-course outcomes.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Zahirah Syafiqah Binti Zainunhisham, Dr. Ghassan Salibi , Prof. Nikolaos Tzenios
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