BRUNEI-MUARA

KAMPUNG Pelambayan through the village consultative council (MPK) held its 6th walkathon charity event yesterday to collect funds for the village orphans.

Its village chief, Hj Hanipah Begawan Pehin Udana Khatib Hj Junit told The Brunei Times that the collection of the funds which will benefit the village’s 12 orphans started two days ago at the start of the village annual charity sale.

Hj Hanipah is expecting to collect around $400 by the end of this month.

“We will distribute 30 per cent of the total funds to the orphans. The rest will be used for social and cultural activities,” he said.

Some of the activities are charity sales that feature booths selling various local cakes and food produced by residents of the village.

Hj Hanipah said the charity event managed to collect $850 last year.

“Most of the funds we collected were donations from the residents in this village. However, many of the residents have moved out,” he said.

According to the 2014 population statistic, there were 795 residents at the village, said the village chief.

The first charity event held was in 2010, he said.

He called on people from other villages to donate the money at his house.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs Deputy Permanent Secretary Hj Idris Hj Md Ali participated in the charity event and mingled with the vendors and residents at the village.

During a brief interview, he urged the public to take part in healthy activities such as walkathon organised by their community to promote national unity.

Participation in a community-based health programme can lead to a ripple effect ultimately bringing about social harmony to the rest of the population.

“Joining outdoor activities can build a better recreation opportunity. The slow paced outdoor exercise is also ideal for all ages and bring family members together,” said Hj Idris.

The Brunei Times