Mentally ill brothers receive aid from Hope Place
KUCHING: Hope Place Kuching has come to the aid of mentally ill brothers Jong Hin Kah, 61, and Jong Sam Chia, 54. The men live together in a rundown single-storey house in Beratok. Hope Place presented them with basic food aid such as noodles, malt drink, and biscuits.
A press release said the brothers have suffered from mental illness from young and lived in a neglected state by themselves since their parents passed away.
According to their niece, who visits with her family weekly, both men were born with mental illness, with Sam Chian previously receiving outpatient treatment at Sentosa Hospital.
It is understood that the brothers have limited everyday skills such as cooking and cleaning.
As they are unable to cook rice, their diet comprises of mainly instant noodles along with wild vegetables at times.
They cook using kerosene oil, which has blackened their kitchen walls.
The cleanliness of the house and their own personal hygiene have been neglected.
It is understood that their neighbours and relatives do not know what to do or how best to help them.
The elder brother used to collect recyclable items for sale but seldom does that now due to his worsening mental state.
According to their niece, the Welfare Department has been called on to help but there has been no response so far.
Hope Place carries out aid deliveries once every three months because of the many families on the recipients list.
The charity helps the disabled and single mothers with many schooling children.
It currently supports more than 180 families.
For more information on how to help, call 013-5672775 or 082-505987 from 8.30am to noon, or from 2pm to 5pm on weekdays, and 9am to noon on Saturdays.