HopesMalaysia is helping to rebuild Puan Daima’s struggling rural family’s life after a fire changed everything
Imagine losing everything to a rural house fire, when you had almost nothing at all! This is reality for Puan Daima, her husband, and five children in rural Kota Belud, Sabah. Residing in remote Kampung Pinoloboh, the family’s small house burnt down in April, resulting in them losing most of their material possessions and most importantly, proper shelter and the basic necessities to live daily.
The only consistent breadwinner of the underprivileged family, Daima works hard as one of Hopes Malaysia and Prudential’s 2022 Sustainable Farming Project farmers amidst struggles due to the hardships of the pandemic and fire. Daima’s family has been living in a shaky, make-shift farming hut since the tragic incident, built by their helpful neighbours from the local community – although with no electricity, furniture, beds and basic home appliances.
The unsafe and difficult living conditions have been taking a toll on Daima and her family, especially her children; her 12-year-old primary schooler daughter and two special needs sons, who require constant physical and medical care, are not getting by easily. Having to squeeze six people into the small, flimsy shack every day without basic needs has made their road to recovery much harder.
In early May, Hopes Malaysia urgently sought support from the public to rebuild the rural family’s home and life in the rural village. The kind contributions have helped the Sabah non-governmental rganization start construction work on Daima and her family’s new home, a hardy stilt house with enough space for all members, that is soon to be completed. However, with the rising prices of building materials and skilled workmanship, the funds collected can only barely cover the cost of the structure. The materials for a simple new house are expensive, and so are the basic living costs that come with it. Daima’s family will still lack the basic life necessities that many take for granted.
Once the wooden home structure is completed, Daima and her children will be able to leave their farming hut behind and move in with what few donated items they now have. Although they will have a sturdy roof over their heads, the family will not possess the basic furniture, utilities and simple appliances that people often take for granted. Not having these common items and connection to water and electricity for her family has worried the mother and farmer.
“I am trying to sell my harvests and save for my family, but it is not easy,” admitted Daima sadly. Even while facing these challenges, Daima continues to farm for her family’s future. Unfortunately, with the family just earning enough to survive weekly, saving to cover the necessary costs may take months or even years. “All I wish is for my children to have the things to live and study well; a simple bed, toilet, kitchen and electricity. We lost all of these.”
The NGO seeks to cover the crucial basic living costs for Daima’s family and help them recover from the trauma and loss of the fire – to start a safer life together. “We urgently need the public’s support to fulfill the remaining RM 20 000 in expenses,” stated Hopes Malaysia’s Founder Sam Lee. For more details on Daima’s cause and Hopes Malaysia’s sustainable CSR partnership initiatives, kindly email Aaron at pr.hopesmalaysia@gmail.com or contact +60109072801. Visit www.hopesmalaysia.com/ourwork for more information. Creating meaningful SDG impact within this Decade of Action to empower Sabah’s rural community for a brighter, sustainable future!
