BY JAMES WONG
KUCHING: The Chinese embassy recently visited the village of Sri Maimunah here to hand over Ramadan food aid to the villagers.
They gathered at the village yesterday (Mar 22) for the handing over ceremony from the Minister of Chinese Embassy in Malaysia, Tang Rui.
The Ramadan donation drive is a joint effort by the Chinese embassy, Malaysian IKRAM and IKRAM Sarawak.
Recipients of the food aid were from Sri Maimunah as well as from the villages of Sungai Periok and Jalan Mendu.
Rabuyah Ali, 53, said while she still has an income, she is thankful for the food aid as it can ease the burden of some of the families in the village.
“I am happy and grateful but there are people who need it more than I do, and I hope they receive the aid too,” said the housewife.
Meanwhile, Abu Suhaimi Abu Bakar, 35, who is currently operating a banana fritters stall, said that the food aid can be of tremendous help for the underprivileged, especially during the month of Ramadan.
“Having grown up in this village, I hope that programmes like this can be continued and expanded to benefit more people who need it,” he said.
Another resident, Marianai Kadir, 40, said that the programme can help lessen the burden of residents.
“I am currently aided by the Social Welfare Department (JKM) as I cannot work due to problems with my eyesight.
“And I think this programme is beneficial for senior citizens, people with disabilities and those who are struggling to make ends meet,” said the housewife.
Ismail Hanis, a 71-year-old retiree hoped that the organiser can maintain the programme even after the fasting month.
“As a retiree who is not on any government aid, I am lucky to have a pension fund and a family who can support me.
“But this programme should be expanded beyond the month of Ramadan to help the poor and needy,” he added.
