Sabati brings Christmas joy to single mothers
KANOWIT: Christmas is the time to give and the Association of Wives of Ministers and Assistant Ministers of Sarawak ( Sabati) has made sure that even noncelebrants are not left out from the joy of the festival.
Yesterday, Sabati through its member Dinamicayanti Daris, who is the wife of Machan assemblyman Allan Siden Gramong, distributed cash contribution to 30 single mothers here.
Among the recipients was Siti Aisyah Abdullah from Kampung Muhibbah, Kanowit.
The 54-year-old, who is a Muslim convert from Sengayan here, is not blind from birth but lost her eyesight due to diabetes in 2009.
She is also suffering from renal failure which requires her to go for dialysis treatment three times per week at Kanowit Hospital.
Speaking to The Borneo Post after receiving her gift, Siti thanked Sabati, Dina and Allan for selecting her to be one of the recipients although she does not celebrate Christmas.
“I have three children and my youngest son is attending secondary school in Matang, Kuching.
“My eldest daughter is unemployed while the second daughter is working as a shop assistant at a local supermarket.
“I am thankful that the contribution from Sabati could at least ease my burden,” she said, adding that she receives monthly welfare assistance from the government.
Siti and her children have been renting a house in Kampung Muhibbah since 2012.
Previously, she worked as a nurse in Saudi Arabia from 2001 to 2006.
Meanwhile, the Ketua Kaum of Kampung Muhibbah, Kiply Ripin, commended their elected representatives for their concern for the less fortunate like Siti.
Earlier at the function, Allan presented minor rural project ( MRP) grants totalling RM650,000 to 159 village security and development committees, associations and non-governmental organisations in Machan.
The event was held at Kanowit District Office hall.
Among those present were Kanowit district officer Katis Noel Nyabong, a political secretary to the Chief Minister Petrus Igat, Kanowit police chief DSP Daniel Benjamin and Kanowit Information Department head Donny Minggu Ling.
I am thankful that the contribution from Sabati could at least ease my burden. Siti Aisyah Abdullah, Muslim convert from Sengayan