KUCHING: Yet another story of people living in dire straits has come to light, this time involving a septuagenarian couple living in Kampung Belimbing, Padawan.
They were found barely getting by each day due to multiple health problems and severe financial hardship.
Hope Place Kuching was recently alerted by one of its regular volunteers, a veteran soldier, about the plight of 73-year-old Bawos Buang and his 71-year-old wife, Jaig Payang.
The couple, who are living on a monthly social welfare assistance, suffer from a range of chronic illnesses and have no stable source of income.
“I used to work as a farmer, but now I can only grow a few vegetables for our own use. My heart is weak, and I have diabetes and severe gastric problems. I also have nose issues, but I never went to see a doctor for that,” said Bawos.
According to his medical report, Bawos suffers from heart blockage due to the narrowing of arteries while his wife, Jaig, has been diagnosed with kidney disease and is in need of dialysis.
However, because the couple has no transportation, she has never undergone treatment.
She also suffers from diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and gout. Both of her legs are swollen and immobile, forcing her to drag her torso around the house to move.
The couple has two adult children.
Their son, who works in Peninsular Malaysia, occasionally sends money home, while their daughter, who is married with children, visits when she can.
Most of the time, Bawos and Jaig are left to fend for themselves.
Bawos shared that he withdrew all his Employees Provident Fund (EPF) savings upon retiring at 60 to renovate their run down house.
Now, with no remaining savings, the couple relies solely on a monthly RM500 social welfare assistance, which is mostly spent on essential medical supplies such as insulin and needles.
Those who wish to help can contact Hope Place at 082-505987 or 013-5672775.
Donations can be made to their bank account (Maybank: 511289001160).
