KUCHING: Hope Place was recently introduced to a couple with several health issues and lacking basic necessities.
The charitable non-governmental organisation (NGO) said 55-year-old Winney Jaili and her husband Kuntri, 64, are living in a dilapidated house at Kampung Pengiran in 14th mile.
They were referred to Hope Place for assistance by a social worker at Sentosa Hospital, where Winney is an outpatient suffering from schizophrenia, a mental health issue that needs long-term medication.
“Winney not only has a person with disability (PWD) card for her disability, but she is also diabetic. Her husband is taking care of her.
“Despite his knee problem which deters him from standing for too long, Kuntri still faithfully cares for his wife’s every need, making sure that she takes all her medication daily and does not physically harm herself or others,” the NGO said in a press statement yesterday (Mar 9).
Hope Place disclosed that the couple’s children have all grown up and married with kids of their own.
With strong family values, their children often visit, bringing home cooked food and their mother’s medicine as well as making sure that the grandchildren spend quality time with them.
“Unknown to many except for her family, Winey is very talented in crocheting. When she is in a good mood, she will use pieces of cloth and yarns to create beautiful handicrafts with artistic designs.
“Unfortunately, Winney’s eyesight is deteriorating due to her diabetes,” Hope Place said.
Winney and Kuntri are staying in a house which the latter built himself many years ago. Tthey have been living there for about 50 years.
Due to insufficient funds and advanced age, their house is still incomplete with most of the walls damaged.
“We are supporting the couple with basic nutritional food supplies like milk powder and oats. Winney is receiving RM350 monthly from the Social Welfare Department and is the couple’s only source of income,” the NGO added.
