KUCHING: State Welfare, Women and Community Wellbeing Minister Datuk Fatimah Abdullah on Wednesday night distributed sleeping bags and packed food to homeless people who were sleeping in the streets here. She was joining an operation organised by State Social Welfare Department.
One of the recipients was Mostapha Rosli who has been living on the streets for more than 10 years.
Met by New Sarawak Tribune at a five-footway at India Street, behind Electra House, the 55-year-old man from Kampung Bintawa Hilir revealed that he had been estranged from his family because of irreconcilable disputes.
“I have sisters back home. I left because I don’t want to be a burden to them. I don’t want to disturb them as they are married and have their own families to care for,” he added.
Mostapha, who had an indwelling urinary catheter, said he earned a small daily income by cleaning the toilets.
“Sometimes, if I cannot afford to buy food, I will ask food stall owners to provide me some food if I help them wash the dishes,” he added.
On the Covid-19 pandemic, Mostapha said, “I wonder what kind of virus this is that has affected the whole world. But I don’t think I am not qualified to be given any assistance.”
Another homeless man, Hamdan Salleh from Kampung Bako, said he and the others would only sleep after completing their work.
“We can sleep anywhere we want as long as we feel comfortable,” he said.
Hamdan said he became homeless after his family left him the day he was fired by his employer a few years ago.
“I have been living on this walkway since then. On rainy days, I starve because nobody comes by to give me food,” he added.
