KUCHING: Habitat for Indigenous and Urban Programme (Hidup) will collaborate with more non-governmental organisations (NGOs) when organising next year’s programme that would include talks on substance abuse among teenagers, teenage pregnancies, domestic violence and mental health illnesses among others.
Its president George Young Si Ricord Jr said Hidup transcended all political divides and hoped to work with village chiefs, village development and security committees (JKKKs) and even the federal village community management councils (MPKKPs) for the greater good.
According to him, the premise was that a fragmented political ecosystem would not augur well for villagers but would benefit unscrupulous political elites.
He believed that political subversion and conflicts would push marginalised communities deeper into poverty while serving their political masters.
George was speaking at ‘Bai Roja Legacy (BRL) Menjau Charity Nite Dinner’ at Kampung Kuang Hall near here Sunday night.
BRL is a family clan-based organisation aimed at fostering kinship and raising the members’ socio-political awareness.
During the dinner, Hidup and Kiwanis Malaysia (an international NGO) handed food baskets and cash to 21 elderly and disabled clan members.
George reiterated that Hidup would provide assistance to the clan members and facilitate positive change in their communities through various initiatives and projects involving the youth, women, schools and the respective JKKKs and MPKKPs.
In its ongoing initiative involving local communities, Hidup invited Kiwanis Malaysia to participate.
In his speech George thanked BRL chairman, Tomson Dewod, for the invitation and Kiwanis Malaysia governor Ivan Ho and his team for their participation and support for Hidup’s community empowerment effort.
For further information on assisting Hidup activities, the numbers to call are 0111 8580528/0111 8990528.
