20 families in Tg Aru water village receive food aid
KOTA KINABALU: The Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu Pearl (RCKK Pearl) came to the aid of 20 hardcore poor families at the water village in Kampung Tanjung Aru Baru on Jan 18.
Ten of these families were those who have never received any food aid previously, and are struggling to survive the impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic restriction movement, where the main family breadwinner lost their jobs.
Meanwhile the other ten families suffered further blows to their lives when their homes were damaged by the recent storms. One family whose house was completely washed away by rising tides and strong winds were temporarily housed at the small community hall in the kampung.
Due to the current pandemic restrictions, and also in consideration of other Club members’ safety, RCKK Pearl Club President Eliza Goh went solo on the delivery of the compassionate food aid, despite the stormy weather during the time. The aid consisted of basic daily necessities such as rice, sugar, oil, meehoon and eggs. Strict Covid-19 pandemic SOP was observed, with only very restricted number of representatives for the targeted families present. The distribution was carried out at the kampung’s community hall. Eliza was aided by the Ketua AJK Surau Kg Tg Aru Baru, Hamzah Hj Saudi Baru, who was responsible for contacting the Club about these stricken villagers’ plight.
On top of these, the Club also donated five sets of headlights to the villagers’ search-and-rescue team organised by Hamzah.
The lighting gear was needed for the team to do their searchand-rescue mission of any villagers that might have fallen into the sea during the storm.
Eliza Goh said the Rotary compassionate movement must go on despite whatever challenges are being faced currently.