JOHOR BAHRU: Villa Paulos is an orphanage providing a caring and loving home for children aged between 7 to 17 years that are orphaned or from very poor or impoverished families.

The home opened in 2008 provides not only shelter, but a home and an education support program to monitor the progress of each individual child, in all aspect.

Its vision is to provide a peaceful home, to diligently support in children education and to nurture these young brilliant souls for the sake of God.

Speaking to Apakhabar TV, Paul Netto, chairman of the home said, “We provide a peaceful home by treating the children as our own.”

He said once the children enters Villa Paulos, they are no longer orphans as they become a part of a bigger family.

According to Netto, the home is fully equipped with the very best facilities and staff.

“We have assigned education staff and tutors to assist with the education aspect of things after school,” he remarked.

He pointed out that from the administrative requirements to ensure that they are able to go to school, to logistics, to extra-classes/tuition, and assist the children in however way they can to ensure they have the best education experience.

“The staff at Villa Paulos work tirelessly to ensure no children are left behind in their academics; also they play a huge role in shaping as well as nurturing the attitudes, motivation and discipline in the children,” he stressed.

Not mincing his words, Netto said the home focuses highly in character development as they believe that with the right balance of circular academic, these children will be better prepared once they leave the nest of Villa Paulos; in search of independence and a rewarding career.

However, he said the home is in dire straits as they need funds for the upkeep of the place.

The home has a boys and girls block and can accommodate 35 children at any one time.

“Monthly expenses RM22,000 that includes monthly wages, dry and wet provisions, school pocket money, utility bills, van and home maintenance,” he explained.

He went on to say that the board of Villa Paulos with the assistance of the various language groups from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Johor Bahru will be organizing a Family Day on November 30 to raise funds for the home.

“The event will be held at the Church of the Immaculate Conception and the board plans to raise RM200,000 from this event,” he said, adding that proceeds will be used for the purchase of ‘back to School’ items and to sustain their monthly expenses.

He said coupons will be sold at RM50.00 each and can be purchased from Villa Paulos or from Paul Netto at: 016 7525218 or Iris Leong at: 016 7484283.

“Most of the children are from poor families, broken homes, and single mothers. We hope to seek more donations to pay for the bills and salaries, and other necessary items for the children,” he stated.

Netto knows running an orphanage is no easy task, especially when relying on public contributions.

He urged members of the public to come forward to assist Villa Paulos in these trying times.

He said those wanting to visit the home may do so by calling the office to make prior arrangements.

“The greatest gift you can give an orphan is love. A word spoken with love and concern will give them more comfort than any amount of money. That will lead to the expansion of our hearts as well,” he asserted.

He made it clear that there is nothing more beautiful than someone who goes out of their way to make life beautiful for others.

“Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” he expounded.

At Villa Paulos, the children are well taken care off and provided the best.

“We give individuals the skills they need to unlock their potential, gain employment and become assets to the communities,” he said.

He said it is one of the pillars of effective child upbringing. Education should build social capital and improve the well-being of orphans during their stay.

Netto knows how children who have been abandoned by their parents, forced to live the life of orphans despite having living parents.

“As young kids, most people enjoy the privilege of being nurtured, loved and cared for by their mother and father – a luxury denied to the orphans who struggle to rebuild their young lives without any parental support,” he said.

He added that while the life of an orphan is predominantly a miserable one, several orphans like Nelson Mandela, Edgar Allan Poe, Leo Tolstoy have grown up to become famous personalities, giving hope to other orphans that it is possible for them to rebuild their difficult lives.