JOHOR BAHRU, July 30 (Sin Chew Daily) — A former drug trafficker has found a new purpose in life by running four old folks' homes in Skudai.

Started as a non-profit organization to care for two elderlies in 2016, Shi Fang Care Center has taken in more than 300 elderlies who are poor and lonely, over the past six years.

Liao Guo Bin, founder of Shi Fang Care Center, was a former drug trafficker who was restricted to stay in Triang, Pahang back in 2014.

He is now leading a group of young people in their twenties to look after the old people.

Liao, 36, told Sin Chew Daily taking care of old people was his responsibility for the society as senior citizens had given him a chance to turn over a new leaf.

He wanted to spend the second half of his life taking care of the elderlies, especially those who are alone.

Liao was a volunteer at an old folks' home when he was living in Triang for two years under restricted residency order.

"After returning to Johor Bahru, I was lost," he said.

Liao then joined a voluntary group to visit old folks' homes every month.

"I learned from Buddhism that if I can help people at large known as Shi Fang in Chinese, that will be my objective in life.

"I started a care center with the name Shi Fang to look after two senior citizens," he said.

Liao said he had set the admission criteria low and would take in in old people who are alone, poor and without infectious diseases.

"As long as they are willing to let us care for them, we will take them in without requiring any recommendation," he said.

On the average, the center takes in one senior citizen every week.

"When we do not have enough beds, we create space to put a bed. As long as the old people are willing to stay, we'll care for them," he added.

Liao said he seldom asked about the older people's past.

"We know we are not only helping the elderlies but also their families" he said.

He does not only look after them but also help them resolve issues that have disturbed them.

Citing an example, Liao has helped one old man fulfill his wish of contacting the estranged family members to visit him.

Liao also trains staff at the center, most of whom young people below 30, to take care of the senior citizens. They are required to live in the center.

"You will only understand their need by living with them so as to take good care of them," he said.

Hence, staff turnover rate at the center is extremely low as they regard the job worthwhile.

"This job will not offer the staff a lot of money but they are recognized and they feel good."

The main care center and three other branches rely on public donations to operate.

Currently a total of 135 senior citizens live in the four centers and expenses at the centers run up to RM90,000 per month.

"You can visit the centers and spend time to chat with the old people once the pandemic is over," he said.