PBKS makes a difference in the lives of those in need

The PBKS drop-in centre provides people with food and drink, medical advice, spiritual and religious guidance and a safe space to be in. 

To bring away your child from dangerous streets even if it is just for a day. To have a chance to sleep for a few hours on a bed instead of a collapsed cardboard box in a dark smelly alley. To bathe and wash clothes. To talk to another person without fear of violence or being robbed. Basically a chance for them to feel human again.

After more than 7 years of serving the Chow Kit community of urban poor and socially marginalised in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the Pusat Bantuan Khidmat Sosial (PBKS) or Social Assistance and Services Centre is now facing closure due to the abrupt discontinuation of Malaysian government funding.

Once touted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as an example of smart partnership between government and civil society organisations, the drop-in centre has played a critical role in ensuring that the Chow Kit community has access to HIV and AIDS education, prevention, care and support, and sexuality awareness and empowerment programmes for vulnerable sexual communities in Kuala Lumpur.

PBKS, previously managed by PT Foundation, is now managed by SEED (Social and Enabling Environment Development), a non-profit community driven organization staffed by members of the communities themselves. We seek to empower individuals to make a difference in their lives by standing on their own two feet and believing that their lives can change for the better.

PBKS works directly with communities of sex workers, transgender persons and People Living with HIV and their families in the Chow Kit area who depend on the essential daily services provided by the centre.

PBKS is a place where discrimination, stigma, feelings of loneliness and isolation can be left at the door. 

This is one of our stories:

This is what PBKS does:

Overall, in 2013, more than 35 000 lives came into contact with the drop in center and its outreach activities.  There were more than 3,000 visits by persons living with HIV. Around 4,500 walk-ins by those who are transgender. And almost 6,000 by women and girls who identified themselves as sex workers. 

Every person deserves a chance. Nobody is turned away. All are welcome.  

For many, PBKS is a place for solace, comfort, safety and a chance to not worry about where your next meal is going to come from. It is a place where we believe in hope.

But now, it is likely that the Drop In Centre will have to close its doors.

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development has decided not to continue its support of PBKS and its services from 2015 onwards. It was only last week that PBKS was informed of this decision.

We have heard the voices loud and clear from the community which say that they need PBKS. We are committed, passionate and steadfast in fighting to ensure that the doors stay open for those most in need and the lives we reach out to.

But we need your help. We need you to help us make it through the first six months of 2015.

What we need

The PBKS needs USD 35 000 to make it through till June 2015. 

It will go towards supporting the premises in Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur and providing essential services to the surrounding community for a period of 6 months.

We need all the support and generous donations you can give in order for us to stay open.

Risks & Challenges

The amount we need will allow us some breathing room to explore and secure new long term funding without compromising our services to the people who depend on us.

It will not be easy. But we are committed to making it happen and to continue to keep hope and humanity alive in the dark corners of Chow Kit.

Help us in making a difference in the lives of those in need.