Valley of Hope is a prominent historical landmark in Sungai Buloh. The Sungai Buloh National Leprosy Control Centre covers 562 acres; in 1926, the government designated the site as an isolation location for a leprosy colony. The Valley of Hope Story Gallery focuses on the personal stories of residents and the collective memories of the leprosy community. The Gallery presents these from historical, emotional and cultural perspectives.
History between place and memory
The Green Club was founded in 1928 and is the oldest club in Valley of Hope. It is named after Dr Richard Green, a bacteriologist who was responsible for treatment at Setapak Camp from 1925 to 1928. The dates meet in 1928: the club was founded that year, while Green’s work at the camp spanned the period from 1925 to 1928.
Near the Centre is the Sungai Buloh May 13 Cemetery. It has more than a hundred graves from several ethnic communities. Alongside the Centre, the club and the Gallery, the cemetery is another tangible historical landmark in Sungai Buloh.
The themes differ: the Centre represents an official designation, the Green Club a dated founding and naming history, and the Gallery residents’ stories and collective memory. At the cemetery, the graves and the different ethnic communities take centre stage. Together, these offer several ways to explore Sungai Buloh’s history, without reducing it to a single anniversary or topic.
Horticulture as another perspective
Different time periods are also of interest when it comes to horticulture. In the 1960s, the settlement authorities of Valley of Hope encouraged leprosy patients who had recovered to take up gardening, to promote their physical and mental well-being and provide them with additional income. Today, Sungai Buloh is a centre for horticultural wholesale in Malaysia. A social initiative from the past and a present-day industry thus stand side by side as distinct aspects.
Plan your visit to the Valley of Hope Story Gallery
Admission to the Valley of Hope Story Gallery is free; contributions towards its upkeep are welcome. Groups of fewer than 15 visitors do not need to make a reservation during opening hours. For group visits or guided tours, booking at least two weeks in advance is recommended. Before your visit, check the latest visitor information in the official Gallery FAQ.
Volunteer guides are available during opening hours; confirm the current arrangements in advance. The Valley of Hope Heritage Tour is a paid programme that requires a reservation. Check availability and booking arrangements directly with the operator. The Gallery has ramps, a lift to the first floor and accessible toilets. Check the facilities information before your visit.
Discover more destinations: Kuala Kubu, Kajang, Banting, Sekinchan, Kuala Selangor, Serendah, Hulu Langat, Puchong.
For the main travel overview: Selangor.
