History

EARLY BEGINNINGS

How Bethany Home came into being?

In the early 1960s, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaysia & Singapore was keen to do some sort of social service work. A Swedish missionary couple, Mr. & Mrs Olof Sorberg were in the country and as they had experience in Sweden working with people with epilepsy, the then Superintendent Bertil Envall suggested, in 1964, that a training centre for epileptic children should be set up.

Where should the Centre be started?

The ELMS had planned to start education for kindergarten teachers. Due to the illness of the missionary responsible for this training, the plans were dropped. Land was available and plans were already made for buildings so with some alterations, construction work was started in 1965 in Simpang Empat.

12th October 1966

The Home opens

Bishop Bertil Envall of the ELCMS declared the Home open on the 12th October 1966.

Archival portrait of Bishop Bertil Envall — Bishop Bertil Envall

19th & 26th October

The first children

On the 19th & 26th October, the first four children were admitted.

Archival photograph of Muthammah, one of Bethany Home’s first four children — Muthammah

Archival photograph of Hong Tiong, one of Bethany Home’s first four children — Hong Tiong

Archival photograph of Swee Huat, one of Bethany Home’s first four children — Swee Huat

Archival photograph of Selvamary, one of Bethany Home’s first four children — Selvamary

The first four staff

Miss Judy, Miss Regina,
Miss Susan & Miss Subanthi

Archival group photograph of Bethany Home’s first staff — The first staff: Miss Judy, Miss Regina, Miss Susan & Miss Subanthi