What We Do
Suriana Welfare Society is a registered NGO, set up in 2011 with a primary goal of promoting and protecting the rights of children in crisis. While initially focusing on child advocacy, Suriana is currently actively pursuing the development of Preventive and Rehabilitative programmes to address social issues involving disadvantaged children and their families.
Suriana Play and Learn Center
This is a safe zone for children, especially those who return from school and are left alone while their parent(s) are at work. These children, if left to be on their own, are likely to be exposed to many social ills prevalent in Desa Mentari and its surrounding neighbourhood. More than 40 children attend Pal Centre, 5 days a week.
Suriana School for Undocumented Children
Set up in May 2021 for undocumented children between the ages of 6 -13 years old, the enrolment stands at 11 children with a waiting list of 21 more. As these children do not have birth certificates, Suriana helps in applying for documentation on their behalf.
Suriana Volunteers
Volunteer programme for students
Suriana receives requests from University/college students to volunteer as part of their degree programme requirement or faculty’s CSR initiative. We welcome such interest and look forward to Strategic Collaboration with Institutes of Higher Learning.
Serving a large community of more than 30,000 residents who have to constantly struggle with financial as well as economic crisis, it is important to understand the contributing factors as to WHY urban poverty is far harsher than rural poverty. A more coordinated strategy that includes the gathering of data, developing effective monitoring systems to gauge lifestyle improvement, social behaviour improvement and other indicators to provide measurable results form part of the Suriana methodology and approach.
These results and data information will help us plan our next course of strategies and action. The same information can then be used to help influence the local and federal government to provide better policies and infrastructure to benefit the communities in need.
“Our aim is to empower the community to improve their living conditions, increase their standard of living, eradicate poverty and provide children with hope for the future. We strive for a community free from exploitation and poverty, where children can grow and develop in a safe and secure environment, and where women and girls have their rights protected and upheld,”
Dr James Nayagam, Founder of Suriana Welfare Society