KUCHING: Sarawak Dayak Graduates Association (SDGA) has successfully raised approximately RM10,000 to buy personal protection equipment (PPE) for Covid-19 frontliners.
The money, collected from members and the public in two phases, was also spent on basic food supplies for urban poor folk in Miri and Sibu.
“In this time of crisis, our community has proven that we are at our best when the odds are against us.
“Many have come out to lend their support financially and physically to assist us in donating PPE to our frontliners and food supplies to urban poor folk.
“We’re very thankful for the support and assistance rendered,” SDGA president Gary Ningkan said in a statement.
The money was fully utilised to purchase, among other things:
- 20,000 pcs of rubber gloves, distributed to various clinics and hospitals in Bintulu, Mukah, Betong, Kuching and Belaga via Muhamad Taufik Yahya, Sarawak Covid-19 3D Printers Union, and the #Jagasamadirik initiative;
- Food supplies for urban poor folk in Miri and Sibu via Persatuan Belia Miri and Asastani.com respectively, and;
- Another 20,000 pcs of rubber gloves to be donated to frontliners via various collaborators in due course.
The remaining amount would be used to purchase food supplies for the needy, which SDGA had identified via various collaborators.
Ningkan said SDGA also donated stationery and learning kits to children in Jalan Chawan, Kuching via Yong Li Na and her team.
To ensure transparency, Ningkan said SDGA had appointed Noelle Lily Morse and Rev Fr Kevin Jawa as trustee and observer of the donation drive.
On another note, Ningkan said in light of the current situation, SDGA needed to adapt to the new normal and figure out new ways to conduct its activities.
“We must not rest on our laurels and instead continue to play our part in contributing to human capital development in Sarawak.”
He said SDGA was constantly providing information on employment opportunities via its Facebook page.
“We are also currently in the midst of planning out some initiatives to look into upskilling programmes for young Sarawakians, as well as reaching out to students in rural areas.”
