Hope Place Kuching reaches out to needy elderly widow

KUCHING: Gawai Dayak is just an ordinary day for Insimau Iyok – a 63-year-old widow who lives alone in a small, ageing house here that is still not connected to electricity supply.

There is a car ba ery that she uses to light up the house and every time the ba ery needs recharging, it would cost her RM10.

The house itself is in need of many repair works, especially on the roof.

Insimau does not have any fixed income – she is relying on the RM200 monthly assistance from the Welfare Department (JKM).

“The senior citizen hopes that there would be some kind donors who could help her repair the roof.

“According to her, water would leak through and leave puddles in her living room every time it rains,” said Hope Place Kuching founder Kelvin Wan in a statement, released in connection with his recent visit to Insimau’s house.

Wan and fellow volunteer Peter Naun handed over to Insimau essential food supplies such as rice, cooking oil, salt, sugar, instant malt beverage, biscuits, dry noodles, and breakfast cereals.

Apart from Hope Place, Howdy Grillhouse also donated eggs, vegetables, bread and canned food to Ensimau.

For more information, Hope Place can be reached via 013-567 2775. The non-governmental organisation (NGO) currently has 198 needy families on its list of aid recipients.

During the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), Hope Place Kuching Centre is open only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 9am to 5pm on each day.

“I would like to remind everyone who wishes to assist Hope Place, to not send any secondhand items to the centre,” said Wan.