KUCHING : Hope Place, a non-profit and non-governmental organisation is well-known for their kind, generous and empathic support towards those in desperate need of sustenance.
Yesterday, Hope Place aid workers visited a recovered stroke victim, Zakaria Poniman, 51 and contributed some food necessities for his family.
He lives with his family of six renting a small room in a shoplot at Matang area. He and wife have four daughters aged 14 – 19 years of age.
According to the press statement, Zakaria suffered severe stroke in 2021 which left him bedridden and on feeding tube. Although he has recovered, he is still unable to work and currently relies on his eldest daughter’s income.
Previously, he was a security guard and his wife, Wati, 41, used to be a sales assistant.
“Both of them lost their income after Zakaria had a stroke. Due to his serious health complication, his wife is currently taking care of him fulltime. Now, although Zakaria could walk and eat normal food, he is still very weak and unable to speak clearly,” reported in the statement.
The main breadwinner in the family is their eldest daughter, Wahida,19, who only works in a coffee shop. Along with her 18 years-old sister Wardina, who also works part time in another coffee shop.
According to Wati, her children have all dropped out of school last year because of financial constraints.
She shared her concerns to Hope Place aid workers commenting that school registration was expensive for secondary students and the extracurricular activities also charges some fees.
Nevertheless, acknowledging the importance of education, Wardina is bringing her two younger siblings, ages 14 and 17 to register for school next week.
During the Hope Place’s visit, the team also found out that Wati is visually impaired and also has hearing problem. She has not had a thorough health check for herself.
Both Zakaria and Wati are long term diabetic patients. Hence, with two schooling kids and disabled parents, all responsibilities rest on Wahida and Wardina’s shoulders.
Hope Place is supporting the family with regular basic food aid, as well as school supplies for the two younger kids, the non-governmental organisation thanked all donors who have generously donated school supplies to 450 students this year under Hope Place’s merciful umbrella.
Many underprivilege kids like Wardina’s sisters now will have the opportunity to study again.
For more information, Hope Place or Persatuan Kebajikan Harapan Kuching (PKHK) can be reached at 082-505987.
Opening hours are from 8.00am – 5.00pm from Mondays till Fridays and 8.00am – 12.00pm on Saturdays.
Hope Place welcomes all donations and receipts will be given upon request. The public can donate directly to its bank account MBB: 511289001160 or visit Hope Place facebook page to scan their Sarawak Pay / S PAY GLOBAL QR code.
