NGOs, UPKO help three Penampang families to repair houses

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PENAMPANG: Three families here are thankful to Yayasan Salam and the United Pasokmomogun Kadazan Dusun Murut (UPKO) office for assisting to repair their houses so that they can live more comfortably.

One of them is 84-year-old Christina Saraja from Kampung Putaton who house was repaired through the Housing Repair Programme For the Poor sponsored by Yayasan Salam Malaysia, Philip Morris (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd and Penampang BN leaders.

The frail grandmother who lives alone, said she was very happy that her house is in a better condition now with new walls, tiled floor and a new coat of paint.

“I am grateful for the consideration and assistance from the NGOs and elected representatives,” she said, adding that she was also touched by their concern for folk like her.

Christina, when met yesterday, disclosed that she has two daughters but preferred to live in the kampung where she grew up.

“I have lots of grandchildren and one of my granddaughters who is studying in Inanam, comes and stays with me during her school holidays,” she said.

For Joklyn Kuin and his wife Josephine Tiwon, their house in Kampung Bunduon was infested with termites. They are worried that it would collapse.

Josephine grew up in the house, which is why she is happy that it was repaired by the NGOs as this meant that they could continue living there.

The whole floor was repaired late last year and the happiest was their young daughter as the floor of her room was the worst hit by termites.

According to Joklyn, his brother-in-law had been living in the rooms under the house and had installed plywood walling.

After he moved out, the rooms were left vacant for quite some time until one day when Josephine said she heard noises like feet shuffling on the floor of the house.

“We removed the walling and were shocked to see the extent of the termite infestation. We were worried that the floor will one day just collapse under us. We were not able to hold any gatherings or prayer meetings for fear that the floor would not be able to withstand the weight,” Joklyn said.

He added that he asked his wife to quickly apply for assistance from the UPKO Moyog Community Development Office to replace the floor and their request was fulfilled late last year.

“Our youngest daughter is the happiest as she said she no longer has to tread carefully in her room,” Joklun said.

The couple thanked Yayasan Salam and UPKO Moyog officer from its UPKR office, George Ginajim, for the assistance to repair their dilapidated house as the NGOs also fixed the roof for them.

Another recipient of Yayasan Salam’s generosity was Maria Brittey Soo Ha who lives with her children in Kampung Mahandoi.

Maria who is originally from Kampung Mopoit, said she built her house in Kampung Mahadoi in 1994 but it was not really completed.

“We are thankful to Yayasan Salam for providing us with the building materials so that we can really finish our house,” she said.