KUCHING: A 70-year-old woman living alone in a severely dilapidated house at Kampung Merdang Lumut has received assistance from local non-government organisation (NGO) Hope Place Kuching following concerns raised by the village’s Jawatankuasa Kemajuan dan Keselamatan Kampung (JKKK).
The beneficiary, identified as Lily Apok, has been living by herself for years after the passing of her husband more than a decade ago.
All four of her adult children are married and live elsewhere, leaving her to manage daily life on her own.
“In her younger years, Lily worked at a chicken farm. Today, she struggles with several health issues, including high blood pressure, knee problems and partial visual impairment,” according to a press statement by Hope Place on Monday (Nov 17).
Despite her limitations, she still tends a small vegetable garden at a slow, careful pace.
She also spends time visiting elderly friends in the village. During quieter moments, she watches programmes on a small television – a gift from her daughter.
However, Lily’s living conditions remain a major concern. Her wooden house is in a deteriorating state, with termite-infested beams, leaking roof sections and a front porch with rotting floorboards that are at risk of collapsing.
She told volunteers that the area previously experienced severe flooding, further weakening the structure.
Lily receives a monthly RM500 social welfare allowance. Her children rarely visit except for her daughter in Samarindah, who checks on her occasionally. Hope Place continues to support her with regular basic food aid.
Hope Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching (PKHK) can be contacted at 082-505987 or 013-5672775. Donations are welcomed, and receipts are available upon request. Contributions can be made directly to its Maybank account (MBB 511289001160) or via the Sarawak Pay/S PAY GLOBAL QR code available on its Facebook page.
