135 volunteers spruce up senior citizens’ homes
MIRI: One hundred and thirtyfive volunteers took part in a home help programme involving the homes of four senior citizens in Kampung Tanjung Belipat, Niah recently.
The ‘ Komuniti Perihatin Warga Emas Harmoni Peringkat Zon Utara’ programme was organised by the state Welfare Department and Miri Welfare Department in collaboration with the local Senior Citizens Service Centre (PPWE) and Senior Citizens Activities Centre (PAWE), volunteers and representatives from the Resident’s Offices in Limbang, Miri and Bintulu, Miri Heath Department, and students from higher learning institutions.
Assistant Minister of Community Well Being Datuk Francis Harden Hollis was present to officiate at the programme.
According to Miri Welfare Department representative Dayang Azeeyani, the programme is part of the department’s community outreach efforts and required them to work closely with PPWE Miri and PAWE Miri.
She said through programmes like these, the less fortunate members of the community, especially senior citizens like the four recipients involved in the home help programme, will feel that they are not left behind by the community and the government and feel they are safeguarded by the government agencies that come over to oversee their living conditions.
At the same time, the welfare department’s aim was to get PPWE and PAWE to work together in community activities and programmes according to their ability, as well as involve the local community to come and help, she said.
The volunteers were involved in a ‘gotong-royong’ (work party) to clean up the compounds of the respective homes, paint and repair works, and also giving away food assistance to the senior citizens.