WE HAVE DONE IT: Fifteen KHGC employees volunteer with Habitat for Humanity Malaysia – Kuching Affiliate for the Kampung Dangak build.
KUCHING: Nancy Ahem has been a single mother since the death of her husband in a tragic road accident 11 years ago.
Her late husband left her with a small wooden two-bedroom house at Kampung Dangak, Jalan Stephen Yong. Nancy could not afford to maintain the house but could only patch holes here and there and over the years it rotted under the weather
What money she made went to feeding and providing for her two sons and a daughter.
Now, Nancy and her children will be moving into their new house after Chinese New Year, thanks to a housing intervention programme with Habitat for Humanity Malaysia, Kuching Affiliate.
Over the previous weekend, 15 staff from Korea Housing Guarantee Corporation (KHGC) and several university students from Korea teamed up with Habitat Kuching to build Nancy’s new home.
The Korean volunteers toiled from Nov 15 to 18, and concluded their visit with a house dedication ceremony on the last day.
KHGC team leader Kim Seong Joong said they came to Kuching through Habitat for Humanity Korea (HFH Korea) to participate in the Kampung Dangak build.
“We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend here in Kuching, building together with the homeowner. As a housing company in Korea, we want to build a good working relationship with Habitat for Humanity Malaysia, Kuching,” he said.
President of Habitat for Humanity Malaysia, Kuching Affiliate Timothy Ngu welcomed this opportunity to work with KHGC and HFH Korea.
“It’s an encouragement to see a housing corporation sponsoring Habitat for Humanity in building more homes and hope for future families. We hope to see many more organisations following in KHGC’s footsteps, in supporting future Habitat for Humanity builds.”
The co-operation with Habitat for Humanity Malaysia is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility; building a corporation that embraces joy and happiness.
Habitat for Humanity Malaysia, Kuching Affiliate together with students from various universities in Korea and staff from both KHGC and Habitat Korea came in partnership to build homes, communities and hope for the future, and to show love and care to Nancy and her family.
Nancy was overjoyed at having a new house.
“I am so happy for Habitat Kuching and the Korea Housing Guarantee Corporation staff and all the volunteers, coming to help build my new home. I finally have a proper house for me and my children to live in; thank you so much Habitat Kuching for arranging everything,” she said.
Habitat for Humanity Malaysia is part of Habitat for Humanity International, a global non-profit housing organisation whose vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live.
Anchored by the conviction that safe and affordable housing provides a critical foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty, Habitat Malaysia works with partners, volunteers and families to build and repair homes in semi-urban and rural areas.
Since Habitat Malaysia began in 1998, it has served more than 200 families through its resource centres in Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, and Kota Kinabalu affiliates.
Those who would like to support Habitat Kuching, are advised to contact them at 082-242700, or [email protected].