Hope Place brings festive cheer to remote longhouses with Charity Without Borders expedition

KUCHING (Dec 19): Hope Place Kuching organised its 12th Charity Without Borders (CWB) expedition last weekend, with a convoy of 150 modified four-wheel-drive (4WD) vehicles delivering festive cheer, food aid and healthcare services to six remote Iban longhouses along the Rajang River.

According to a statement, the initiative involved collaboration with several 4×4 clubs, the Sarawak State Health Department (JKNS), and Ibraco Berhad.

Participating clubs came from Kuching, Sri Aman, Bintulu, Sibu, Miri, Belaga, and Batu Niah, alongside an international convoy of 15 vehicles from Brunei.

“The convoy flagged off from Bintulu on Dec 12 at 8am and arrived at Rumah Pilai, Kapit around 4pm,” the statement read.

“Upon arrival, the team was welcomed by the village head, followed by a traditional miring ceremony, with villagers dressed in traditional Iban attire.”

Food aid reached 150 longhouses across Rumah Pilai, Rumah Guyang, Rumah Julan, Rumah Rajau, Rumah Manggie, and Rumah Ibin.

“Most of the villagers are elderly residents and young children, as many working-age adults are employed outside the area and return only during festive seasons such as Gawai and Christmas,” the statement added.

The nearest town, Kapit, is accessible by a three-hour express boat, or six to eight hours by regular boat.

Ibraco Berhad, the main sponsor, contributed RM30,000 worth of food aid.

Sarawak Energy Berhad donated life jackets for schoolchildren, while Hope Place founder Kelvin Wan presented a wheelchair to a disabled villager.

Christmas gifts were given to children, and H2O Salon from Bintulu volunteered to provide free haircuts.

Healthcare services were offered by JKNS, led by assistant director Dr Azlee Ayub and 26 medical personnel.

“Villagers from surrounding areas travelled by boat for between 25 and 40 minutes to attend the health screenings,” said Dr Azlee.

Screenings included glucose and blood pressure checks, general medical examinations, and dental services, including tooth extractions, benefiting 250 villagers. Lunch and necessary medication were also provided.

The convoy departed in the morning on Dec 14, navigating steep and muddy terrain near Rumah Pilai.

“It took all 150 vehicles about four hours to climb the challenging hill before safely arriving at Bintulu at around 6pm. Despite the demanding journey, the team returned tired but fulfilled,” the statement said.

Donations are welcome, with receipts issued upon request. Contributions can be made via Maybank account 511289001160, or through the organisation’s SPay Global QR code on its Facebook page.

For more information, contact Hope Place on 082-505987 or 013-5672775.