KUCHING: Hope Place Kuching recently delivered food aid to three elderly women living in extreme poverty in Kampung Pangkalan Ampat, Padawan, where access is limited to a hanging bridge.
During the visit, the team met Mamim anak Tu’u, 63, who has been paralysed from the waist down since childhood and has never worked due to her condition and lack of formal education.
According to her mother, Mamim was born physically normal but lost the use of her legs after suffering a severe fever at the age of five and was never brought for medical treatment.
Living in an old wooden house unsuitable for wheelchair access, Mamim moves by pulling herself across the floor.
She lives with her younger sister, Yai, 55, who is her sole caregiver, and their mother, Rian, 87, who previously supported the family by planting herbs and weaving traditional rattan baskets known as tambok but can no longer work due to poor eyesight.
The three women now rely largely on occasional financial assistance from Mamim’s niece to meet their daily needs.
Hope Place said reaching the house was challenging as Kampung Pangkalan Ampat is located across the Semadang River and accessible only via an old hanging bridge, requiring volunteers to carry supplies on foot.
The organisation is continuing to provide basic food aid and welcomed support from members of the public wishing to assist families in similar circumstances.
Members of the public wishing to contribute to Hope Place’s welfare initiatives may contact the organisation at 082-505987 or 013-5672775 for further information.
