Dompet Dhuafa USA disbursed $3,765 to Dompet Dhuafa South Sulawesi on May 15, 2023, to support the operational costs of Shelter Harapan, a free housing program catered for patients with chronic illnesses from nearby hospitals. These patients require a place to stay during the health treatment or while waiting for their turn for treatment at different hospitals. This process takes a couple of days, and sometimes even weeks. The patients have no relatives in Makassar and are unable to afford to rent a place to live. As a result, it is difficult for patients and their families to find a place to stay until their treatment is completed. This is where Shelter Harapan comes in to give them a place to stay.

Shelter Harapan is one of Dompet Dhuafa’s initiatives to assist impoverished people with serious illnesses and underprivileged groups. We hope that patients who live in the Harapan Shelter will have the opportunity to receive free temporary housing, particularly for the impoverished patients undergoing treatment, as well as assistance with basic daily needs. Shelter Harapan also provides transportation from the Shelter Harapan to the hospitals.

Shelter Harapan has eight rooms with nine beds, one kitchen, four toilets, and one living room. Aside from free housing, Shelter Harapan also offers ambulance pick-up and drop-off services to the hospitals, spiritual guidance for patients, a public kitchen and food supplies, and patient assistance and monitoring.

Shelter Harapan received 13 patients and 25 accompanying patient families from June to July 2023 and the number of beneficiaries in August 2023 was 15 patients and 25 accompanying families.

Shelter Harapan’s presence greatly benefits underprivileged cancer patients and patients suffering from other chronic diseases. Patients and their families are grateful for the Shelter Harapan program, which provides assistance and helps reduce costs for underprivileged patients.