KUCHING: A middle-aged father battling stage four liver cancer has become the focus of community concern after Hope Place Kuching received an urgent request for assistance.
Andrew Minggu, 42, from Kampung Mambong, is unable to support his wife and three children as his critical illness has left him too weak to work.
“Upon meeting him, we saw the severity of his cancer, evident from the yellowish tinge of his skin and eyes,” said Hope Place through a press statement on Thursday.
Andrew was diagnosed in September this year and previously earned a daily wage as a construction labourer, without Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or Social Security Organization (SOCSO) contributions for family protection.
Due to the late stage of his cancer, Andrew did not undergo chemotherapy, and his swollen abdomen further highlights the seriousness of his rapidly worsening condition.
His wife, Gladia, 35, stopped working years ago and now cares for Andrew and their three children while worrying constantly about his unstable health.
She shared that Andrew often experiences dizziness and sometimes faints unexpectedly, adding emotional and physical stress to the family’s already difficult situation.
“Their eldest child, Claudia, 20, is an albino with partial visual impairment but successfully completed her SPM despite the challenges posed by her condition.
“Jerald, Andrew’s 16-year-old son, stopped school in September due to their financial constraints and now works in a coffee shop as the family’s sole income earner,” it said.
Years earlier, Andrew built their modest home himself, but with limited funds and deteriorating health, the structure remains incomplete and vulnerable to heavy rain.
“The bamboo flooring, half-open zinc kitchen, and canvas-covered bathroom leave the family exposed, especially during the current wet season affecting many rural households,” it said.
Claudia hopes to secure a sustainable job soon, while Jerald wishes to sit for his SPM next year if the family’s situation improves in time.
Hope Place is currently supporting the family with essential food aid and welcomes public assistance to help ease their hardship during this extremely challenging period.
For more information, Hope Place can be contacted at 082-505987 or 013-5672775, and donations may be made to MBB 511289001160 or via their Facebook page.
