Hope Place provides lifeline to elderly Batu Kawa man struggling to survive alone

KUCHING (Oct 4): Hope Place Kuching is providing food aid to a 67-year-old man, who lives alone in his dilapidated house in Batu Kawa and collects recycling items to get by.

Sinin Nanam, who used to be a daily paid construction worker, does not have any Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) or savings, said Hope Place in a statement yesterday.

According to Hope Place, Sinin lost his spouse 10 years ago and has two adult children.

“His eldest child is in Bintulu, while his second child is in Miri. Hence, Sinin has to depend on himself to generate income to meet his daily needs and to survive,” said the non-governmental organisation (NGO) following a recent visit to the elderly.

Hope Place said that Sinin would go around Batu Kawa to collect recycling items like empty discarded cans on his old motorcycle, adding that on a good day, he is able to get RM18 worth of items.

“Sinin is unable to do much else since he has heart problems and is diabetic.

“Now, he is on blood thinning medication and insulin. Sinin’s meagre income needs to cover all his medical expenses,” said the NGO.

Hope Place also said Sinin’s stilted wooden house is in need of repair, adding that most parts of his house are rotten and the roof is leaking.

“Since his wife passed away, Sinin cooks simple food by himself. During his free time, Sinin loves to make small wooden tables and stools. He loves sitting outside on his little stool while listening to his very old radio,” it said.

The NGO added that Sinin’s children seldom contact him and that the financial support from his children are ‘very little’.

Hope Place welcomes all donations to support more needy individuals and families, and will issue receipts to donors upon request.

Individuals can donate directly to Hope Place Maybank account 511289001160 or via its S Pay Global QR code on its Facebook page.

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