SIBU: For families struggling behind closed doors, the right assistance can sometimes begin with something as simple as a visit, a conversation and someone willing to listen.
That was the approach taken by Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan Branch Chairman Councillor Kevin Lau Kor Jie when he visited two needy families at Hua Lai Road, Sg Bidut here on Thursday afternoon (Sept 10) to understand their circumstances and help connect them with appropriate welfare support.
Accompanied by Welfare Unit Head Kapitan Tang Chuo Ging, Deputy Welfare Unit Head Law Cheng Ching and members of Village Security and Development Committee (JKKK) Bukit Igu, Lau spent time speaking directly with the families to better understand the challenges they face in their daily lives.
One of the households has a family member with autism who requires considerable care, supervision and attention on a daily basis.
The other household comprises three elderly siblings living together, with their advanced age presenting increasing challenges in meeting their daily needs and managing their finances.
Lau, who is also SUPP Youth Chief, said the visit provided the team with a clearer picture of the families’ actual circumstances and allowed appropriate assistance to be identified based on their individual needs.
Following the assessment, one family will be assisted with an application for OKU (Person with Disabilities) registration and relevant welfare assistance, while the other will be helped to apply for suitable living assistance to ease their financial and day-to-day burdens.
“Through direct communication and listening, we can better understand their genuine needs and help connect them with the appropriate welfare support and assistance,” he said.
Lau stressed that meaningful community care should not be limited to providing immediate material assistance, but should also focus on ensuring vulnerable residents are able to access the support available to them.
“Community care is not merely about providing goods or extending our concern. More importantly, it is about helping those in need gain access to appropriate assistance so that they can receive practical support when facing difficulties in life,” he said.
He noted direct visits remained an important aspect of grassroots service because they enabled community leaders to see first-hand the realities faced by residents and respond according to their actual circumstances.
Lau also expressed his appreciation to Tang, Law and the JKKK members for taking part in the visit and for their continued concern for families requiring assistance.
He singled out Tang for special appreciation for her longstanding commitment to community affairs and her willingness to follow up whenever families in need are identified.
As chairperson of JKKK Bukit Igu, Tang has maintained close contact with residents and actively sought ways to assist vulnerable households, reflecting the important role grassroots leaders play in identifying needs and connecting residents with relevant government and welfare services.
Lau said such community-level efforts were important in ensuring that assistance reached those who needed it most, particularly elderly residents, persons with special needs and families facing difficulties in coping with everyday life.
