KUCHING: Thirty individuals from six underprivileged Muslim families were invited and treated to a breaking of fast meal at Imperial Hotel’s Imperial Garden Restaurant here recently.
The event, in collaboration with Hope Place Kuching was part of the hotel’s yearly corporate social responsibility (CSR) during the holy month of Ramadan.
Attendees, Johari Said, 56, his wife Norazlina Nasir, 39 and their children ranging from 10 months to 11 years old, including a set of triplets (two boys and a girl) were among the families invited for the breaking of fast.
Johari, who is a school bus driver from Semariang Jaya, said that he was touched to be able to receive assistance as it would lessen his family’s burden.
“I used to hold a stable job back when I worked in Bintulu. However, tragedy struck in 2021 when I was involved in an accident and hence broke my left arm.
“As a result, I found myself unable to perform physical labour as before, and that is why I returned to Kuching,” he told reporters when met.
Now, as the sole provider for his family, Johari said he earned an income of RM1,500 and it was quite tough for him to support his family.
“Most of my salary goes towards supporting my family as for my six young children, they need at least 10 packets of pampers and 10 to 11 tins of milk powder. All these would cost around RM700 to RM800 a month,” he said.
Despite his hardship, he said he was thankful for the help from non-governmental organisations (NGOs) like Hope Place and his employer in providing support.
“We are also grateful to the government as we just got a place of our own to stay in a flat at Landeh, Mile 10. We have been staying there for more than a month,” he said.
Earlier, after the breaking of fast, the hotel’s general manager Patrick Kuek presented the ‘Duit Raya’ (green packets) to the families.
The hotel’s Social and Recreation Club (SRC) also extended to each family a bag of daily food essentials.
