KUCHING: For nearly two years Misi anak Junau was relying on gas cylinder wheels to move about in her house. Problem is the amputee has had no cash to spare for a wheelchair.
Fortunately for her, non-governmental organisation Hope Place came to know about her plight and reached out to help.
It not only gave her greater mobility with a brand new wheelchair but is also giving Misi, 59, and her husband Gruna, 63, nutritional food aid as both of them have been brought low by diabetes.
One in every six Sarawakians has diabetes, with Malaysia having the highest rate of diabetes in Asia, affecting 3.1 million of the population.
Diabetes is also considered an expensive illness, with dietary restrictions and long term medical expenses.
This much is obvious in the lives of the middle aged couple living at Mile 29, Kuching-Serian Road.
Misi and Gruna are now struggling with not only health, but in their finances as well.
According to Hope Place in a press statement here Monday, all their adult married children are in Sarawak and West Malaysia, with their own families to feed.
Misi who had her leg amputated in 2021 is now unable to work but she has a Socso fund of RM650 monthly which is the couple’s only source of income.
Her husband who used to be a security guard has retired and therefore has no income.
With high monthly expenses like house loan repayment and medical supplies like insulin needles to buy, the couple has been left penniless.
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.
All donations are welcome and receipts will be given upon request. You can donate directly to our bank account MBB: 511289001160 or go to our facebook page to get our Sarawak Pay / S PAY GLOBAL QR code.
