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Our Story

Our Story

The History
of Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd Mission has its origins in Angers, France, and is known as the Congregation of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd. The Congregation was approved on 16 January 1835 by Pope Gregory XVI. It was founded by St. Mary Euphrasia Pelletier (1796-1868).

In 1814, Rose Virginie Pelletier entered Our Lady of Charity at Tours and was given the name Mary of St. Euphrasia. Sister Mary Euphrasia combined a great apostolic spirit with a deep interior life. The community and mission took on new vigour when she was elected superior at the age of 29.

A house in Angers was founded in 1829 at the invitation of the local bishop. There, in 1831, Sister Mary Euphrasia formed a contemplative community for some of the girls and women under her care who desired to dedicate their lives to God. These contemplative sisters offer their lives of prayer and penance for the people served by the Congregation.

Who We Are Today

Good Shepherd Services (GSS) is a non-profit organisation rooted in compassion and guided by the belief that every life holds worth and dignity. Our story began with the Good Shepherd Sisters, who arrived in Malaya in 1956 to bring hope and healing to those most in need. Today, that same mission continues through GSS, established in 2015 and granted tax-exempt status in 2018.

For nearly seven decades, the Good Shepherd mission has reached out to women, girls and families living on the margins, offering shelter, safety and the chance to rebuild lives. Across 68 countries, the Good Shepherd Sisters stand as a testament to what compassion, courage and faith can achieve when lived in action.

In Malaysia, we continue this legacy by creating spaces of care and empowerment through crisis shelters, girls’ hostels, livelihood and mental health programmes, and initiatives that give voice to the unheard.

We believe that a more just and compassionate society begins with empathy, with the courage to see, to listen and to act. Together, we can break cycles of poverty and violence and build a tomorrow where every person is valued, respected and free to thrive.

Our Milestones

Our Milestones

Through the years our focus has grown and evolved, as we reach out to those who are marginalised and broken, especially women, girls and their families, restoring and nurturing in them their worth and dignity.

Through the years our focus has grown and evolved, as we reach out to those who are marginalised and broken, especially women, girls and their families, restoring and nurturing in them their worth and dignity.

1957

  • Good Shepherd Mission in Malaysia started in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

  • The Junior International School, Kindergarten and Nursery were established to generate income for the social services.

  • Home for teenage girls from poor families was set up to provide vocational training.

1957

  • Good Shepherd Mission in Malaysia started in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

  • The Junior International School, Kindergarten and Nursery were established to generate income for the social services.

  • Home for teenage girls from poor families was set up to provide vocational training.

1960s

  • Sisters and girls moved to Madonna Heights, Jalan Hulu Kelang, Ampang, Selangor, and the Establishment of Good Shepherd Convent Vocational School and Residential Home for teenage girls.

1960s

  • Sisters and girls moved to Madonna Heights, Jalan Hulu Kelang, Ampang, Selangor, and the Establishment of Good Shepherd Convent Vocational School and Residential Home for teenage girls.

1970s

  • The home for unwed mothers which was set up in 1965 in Batu Arang, Selangor was shifted to Ipoh.

  • Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd Sekolah Khas was officially opened by the Minister of Social Welfare. It offered commercial and vocational subjects.

  • Villamaria Good Shepherd Kindergarten and Nursery shifted from Jalan Ampang to Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

1970s

  • The home for unwed mothers which was set up in 1965 in Batu Arang, Selangor was shifted to Ipoh.

  • Pusat Kebajikan Good Shepherd Sekolah Khas was officially opened by the Minister of Social Welfare. It offered commercial and vocational subjects.

  • Villamaria Good Shepherd Kindergarten and Nursery shifted from Jalan Ampang to Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

1980s

  • Mariaville Good Shepherd Kindergarten was established in Ipoh.

  • Good Shepherd Mission spread to Sabah, where Seri Murni Hostel in Kota Kinabalu was opened for young women from rural villages seeking employment or to continue their studies.

  • Seri Murni Crisis Centre in Kota Kinabalu was set up to support teenage girls in pregnancy crisis and women who experienced domestic violence.

1980s

  • Mariaville Good Shepherd Kindergarten was established in Ipoh.

  • Good Shepherd Mission spread to Sabah, where Seri Murni Hostel in Kota Kinabalu was opened for young women from rural villages seeking employment or to continue their studies.

  • Seri Murni Crisis Centre in Kota Kinabalu was set up to support teenage girls in pregnancy crisis and women who experienced domestic violence.

1990s

  • The Good Shepherd Sisters took over Asrama Gereja St. James, Tenghilan, a hostel for secondary school girls from the rural area.

1990s

  • The Good Shepherd Sisters took over Asrama Gereja St. James, Tenghilan, a hostel for secondary school girls from the rural area.

2000s

  • Rose Virginie Welcome House in Ipoh was set up as a transition house for women experiencing gender-based violence. Eventually, the home for unwed mothers and Rose Virginie Welcome House merged and was known as Rose Virginie Good Shepherd.

  • In Sabah, the Rural Community Development Programme was developed, with the focus of empowering rural communities with leadership and communication skills.

  • Asrama Desa Pukak (Sabah) and Learning Resource Centre were set up, benefiting primary school children in the villages.

  • The evolving and emerging needs of the mission necessitated the employment of lay personnel with diverse and professional skill sets to lead the Good Shepherd mission. Hence, the engagement of partners-in-mission for key leadership roles in the mission.

2000s

  • Rose Virginie Welcome House in Ipoh was set up as a transition house for women experiencing gender-based violence. Eventually, the home for unwed mothers and Rose Virginie Welcome House merged and was known as Rose Virginie Good Shepherd.

  • In Sabah, the Rural Community Development Programme was developed, with the focus of empowering rural communities with leadership and communication skills.

  • Asrama Desa Pukak (Sabah) and Learning Resource Centre were set up, benefiting primary school children in the villages.

  • The evolving and emerging needs of the mission necessitated the employment of lay personnel with diverse and professional skill sets to lead the Good Shepherd mission. Hence, the engagement of partners-in-mission for key leadership roles in the mission.

2010s

  • Youth-PREP Centre, a youth drop-in centre in Alamesra (KK), provided a safe place for youths to seek professional support.

  • In response to stricter government regulations on charities and NGOs, and for better risk management, the Good Shepherd Sisters and the Board of Directors decided to incorporate the services into a legal entity.

  • Good Shepherd Services (GSS) was established as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLBG), focusing on services for the Malaysian public. It obtained tax-exempt status.

  • Global Shepherds Berhad (GSB) was established as a separate CLBG to extend services to both Malaysians and non-Malaysians. Its current focus includes issues related to migrants, trafficking, statelessness though it does not have tax-exempt status.

  • Joyful Steps Sdn Bhd (JSSB) was established to continue the Early Childhood Education services at Villamaria Good Shepherd Kindergarten and Nursery in Damansara and Buntong, Ipoh.


2010s

  • Youth-PREP Centre, a youth drop-in centre in Alamesra (KK), provided a safe place for youths to seek professional support.

  • In response to stricter government regulations on charities and NGOs, and for better risk management, the Good Shepherd Sisters and the Board of Directors decided to incorporate the services into a legal entity.

  • Good Shepherd Services (GSS) was established as a Company Limited by Guarantee (CLBG), focusing on services for the Malaysian public. It obtained tax-exempt status.

  • Global Shepherds Berhad (GSB) was established as a separate CLBG to extend services to both Malaysians and non-Malaysians. Its current focus includes issues related to migrants, trafficking, statelessness though it does not have tax-exempt status.

  • Joyful Steps Sdn Bhd (JSSB) was established to continue the Early Childhood Education services at Villamaria Good Shepherd Kindergarten and Nursery in Damansara and Buntong, Ipoh.


2020s

  • GSS focuses on poverty reduction and gender equality, addressing immediate needs in rural areas of Sabah and vulnerable communities in Buntong, Perak.

  • It continues to implement women’s leadership and livelihood programmes to support economic empowerment.

  • Access to education for children is ensured through various means, including digital solutions.

  • Mental health support initiatives have been introduced in secondary schools and institutions of higher learning.

  • Green energy projects have been launched to promote sustainability.

  • SMART employment programmes for youth are equipping them with essential skills.

  • Safeguarding remains a top priority across all initiatives, ensuring protection for vulnerable populations.

2020s

  • GSS focuses on poverty reduction and gender equality, addressing immediate needs in rural areas of Sabah and vulnerable communities in Buntong, Perak.

  • It continues to implement women’s leadership and livelihood programmes to support economic empowerment.

  • Access to education for children is ensured through various means, including digital solutions.

  • Mental health support initiatives have been introduced in secondary schools and institutions of higher learning.

  • Green energy projects have been launched to promote sustainability.

  • SMART employment programmes for youth are equipping them with essential skills.

  • Safeguarding remains a top priority across all initiatives, ensuring protection for vulnerable populations.

Hands holding

SERVICE Centres

SERVICE Centres

Pusat Jagaan Seri Murni

Safe space and care for women and children experiencing abuse

019 534 9044

Mon-Sun (24 hours)

Pusat Jagaan Seri Murni

Safe space and care for women and children experiencing abuse

019 534 9044

Mon-Sun (24 hours)

Pusat Jagaan Seri Murni

Safe space and care for women and children experiencing abuse

019 534 9044

Mon-Sun (24 hours)

Youth-PREP Centre, Kota Kinabalu

Food aid, counselling, youth programmes and volunteering opportunities.

014 866 0224

Mon-Fri (9.00AM - 5.00PM)

Youth-PREP Centre, Kota Kinabalu

Food aid, counselling, youth programmes and volunteering opportunities.

014 866 0224

Mon-Fri (9.00AM - 5.00PM)

Youth-PREP Centre, Kota Kinabalu

Food aid, counselling, youth programmes and volunteering opportunities.

014 866 0224

Mon-Fri (9.00AM - 5.00PM)

Community Service Centre, Ipoh

Academic support and programmes for children and community outreach

017 900 6232

Mon – Fri (9:00AM – 6:00PM)

Community Service Centre, Ipoh

Academic support and programmes for children and community outreach

017 900 6232

Mon – Fri (9:00AM – 6:00PM)

Community Service Centre, Ipoh

Academic support and programmes for children and community outreach

017 900 6232

Mon – Fri (9:00AM – 6:00PM)

Helpline

Helpline

KawanBAH Careline

Psychosocial support for youth and adolescence

012 775 3020

Mon-Sat (8.00AM - 10.00PM)

KawanBAH Careline

Psychosocial support for youth and adolescence

012 775 3020

Mon-Sat (8.00AM - 10.00PM)

KawanBAH Careline

Psychosocial support for youth and adolescence

012 775 3020

Mon-Sat (8.00AM - 10.00PM)

Sponsor-A-Child for Education

Sponsor-A-Child for Education

Together, we can ensure no child is left behind in education.

Together, we can ensure no child is left behind in education.

Sabah

Walai Good Shepherd,
529, Mile 3.5, Jalan Tuaran,
88450 Kota Kinabalu,
Sabah, Malaysia

+60 88 652 410

Ipoh

No. 34, Jalan Wayang,
Taman Pertama,
30100 Ipoh,
Perak, Malaysia

+6017 900 6232

Good Shepherd Services is a non-profit, tax-exempt organisation (1142853-U), registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia. Donations are tax-deductible as permitted by law.