| Aziz Idris |
A PARENT with two children waves goodbye as vehicles slowly reverse out from their home. The family is lit up through their genuine smiles mixed with tears, despite an undeniable uncertainty of their living situation and future.
Currently unemployed and with no consistent source of water and electricity of their own; only connected by the charitable neighbour next door – this family is close, if not living in poverty.
However, in that moment in time, they expressed gratitude for the gifts and were left with a positive outlook to bettering their lives.
Beginning before the month of Ramadhan and ending in Ramadhan, the annual charity drive known as ‘Ihsan Kasih’ initiated by DST reaches out to the less fortunate.
Elixsurian bin Haji Busu, Manager of Group Corporate Communications, project coordinate for the drive explained the journey intimately.
“The Charity Drive has been on-going for a decade but it was only since 2011 that we called it ‘Ihsan Kasih’ as a blessed reminder of our journey and intentions. Six years ago we embarked to the rural areas of Kg Sukang in the remote terrains of Belait District. The journey to reach the families is a long one.
“The convoy would leave at 7am each year and 4WD vehicles would become the entourage to deliver goods, become recovery support in the event of harsh weather, high mountains and muddy roads. In the early years, before Ulu Sukang’s roads were improved, the drive was a full on adventure that required skilled drivers, compassionate and driven volunteers with the heart to carry forward to reach the recipients.
The Ihsan Kasih team at Tutong District, led by Haji Suhaimi bin Haji Hussain, CEO of DST in a group photo with a recipient
DST staff carrying bags of household necessities. – PHOTOS: DEAN KASSIM & DST
Some houses had to be reached by travelling through ‘jalan lama’ or old roads
“Even today, the road to Ulu Belait requires travelling through ‘jalan lama’ or old roads leading to Kg Lamunin. Long Mayan and eventually to Bukit Sawat, before venturing to a three-hour journey.
“What we saw and felt was outside our comfort zone. Trying to imagine how people used to survive, and people surviving today in such conditions, especially for our Muslim converts is astonishing as well as inspiring, but at the same time filled with a sadness that I reminder from time to time and even more during Ramadhan.
“Imagine a day with no clean water, depending on buckets of rainwater for everything – cooking, cleaning, bathing and praying. But they get through it, and that is what makes me feel for them.”
“Looking for their daily food is a mix of hunting and gathering from the forest and river, while some create their own small scale garden of local vegetables and fruits. At one point I was looking at a young baby in a home-made hammock, sound asleep but dripping in sweat – no fan, no electricity. Yet, they move on, and that child is around five now. This is how they live, and they only look for a humble abode for their families and lineage to come.
“We wouldn’t have been able to locate these families if it wasn’t for assistance from the Community Development Department, or non-governmental organisation; and the community who write to us, or speak out on Social Media on families who need assistance. It is a rewarding feeling to know that with some assistance, we can ease their burden, instil positivity into their outlook on life and encourage them to continue to be independent.”
Five years ago, DST successfully employed an orphan from Ulu Belait, now still employed in DST. Three years ago, DST repaired two houses in Kg Merangking, Belait and Kg Benutan, Tutong. Two years ago, DST assisted in monthly provisions to a patient with a serious medical condition leaving him paralysed and in the care of his wife.
With the end of Ramadhan, it has been a meaningful journey for everyone involved. DST hopes to continue the journey by carrying out the Ihsan Kasih initiatives in the near future.
The post Annual charity drive lends helping hand to underprivileged appeared first on Borneo Bulletin Online.