KUCHING, Jan 2: Runyai Sasob, 67, received his best ever New Year present when his dilapidated house in Kampung Bunuk at KM34 Jalan Puncak Borneo was given a new roof.
The work of changing the roof was done through gotong-royong yesterday by about 20 members of the Segu Bunuk Association, which was co-headed by chairman Lister Nonem and coordinated by Sanjan Daik, who is the legal advisor of the association.
The old roof, according to a press release, was heavily rusted, brittle and full of tiny holes that leaked terribly during heavy rain.
“The building materials, including roofing sheets and woods, were sponsored by Datuk Leong Wai Meng, a philanthropist who hails from Melaka but stayed in Serian,” Sanjan shared.
“Apart from changing the roof of the house, we also reconstructed its verandah to make a bigger space for future extension of bedrooms to accommodate the whole family.”
Runyai, together with his four children and three grandchildren, have been staying in this house for many years.
However, due to poverty, all his children dropped out after finishing primary school education and are doing odd jobs to make a living.
“My wife left me when my children were still young. I could not provide them with a good education and that is why they could not get a decent job to make a living,” Runyai narrated.
When asked why he did not apply for a house under the Hardcore Poor Housing Programme (PPRT), he replied: “I don’t even know what PPRT is and nobody ever told me that or informed me to apply for any form of welfare assistance.”
Sanjan added that this `gotong royong’ was the association’s first activity since its registration with the Registrar of Societies (RoS) recently.
“We are looking forward to more activities to help the people,” he said. — DayakDaily
