March – December 2020
The underprivileged families were the people who were hit the hardest during the pandemic and when the country had to be under partial and full lockdown as many of them are on daily wages. Throughout this period, requests from around the country came pouring in and after checking on their family background, help was sent out immediately.
We worked with supermarkets which are nearby these families and delivered some essential goods with fresh produce to them immediately. Those with children had milk and diapers as well. No words could describe the feelings when we saw the joy on their faces upon receiving the care packs!
Family 1
The father is from the Bidayuh tribe, working as a lorry driver but due to MCO, he was not able to go to work and has no money to cater for his family. His wife is a homemaker. He could not even call out to anyone because he has no money to reload his phone credit and could only sit helplessly and wait for help to reach him.
It was so disheartening and shocking to hear that they use the little packet of rice left which was donated to make porridge to feed themselves and their older children while feeding the little 8 months old baby with sugar water only!
Family 2
A family of 6 where the father works as a lorry driver but has lost his income due to MCO and is struggling to support his family with children aged 7 months to 10 years old. The baby has no milk powder to drink and they do not have a proper meal for a week. He has not been able to pay for the house utilities for a few months and water is disconnected.
His house lacks furniture and the sofa in his living room is taken from a nearby disposal area. The government assistance they received is insufficient and used to purchase some of his children’s necessities and food.
Family 3
We assisted 8 families living in Telipok, Sabah. They are residents who do not have an Identification Card making it difficult for them to get proper long term jobs. They live on an abandoned land nearby the forests and the house they build usually lasts for 3-5 years only because the authority will evict them. The houses that they built do not have clean water supply. They will usually collect rainwater or dripping water from a tank for their daily use while for drinking and cooking, they will buy water from a nearby water machine. The electricity supply is also not proper as they connect electricity from nearby houses.
Family 4
A family of 4 from Alor Star has approached us. They are in their 40s to 60s with disabilities. Two of them are blind masseurs while the younger sister has depression and they stay with their aunt who has down syndrome.
Their earning is only RM1600-2000 per month, per household and due to MCO, they are not able to work thus, no income to support their living. Even with the help from the government, it is not enough to cover their expenses as there are still rents, medicines and utilities to pay.
