TUTONG

TWO families from Kg Kuala Ungar deprived from clean water and electricity can now enjoy the basic necessities following donations from the Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (YSHHB) yesterday.

YSHHB donated electricity generators and water tanks to the destitude families.

The two families did not have access to clean water and electricity at their homes for half a decade. Due to financial difficulties, the families only retrieve water from their neighbours.

A head of one of the families, Abd Rashid Abdullah Duri, said that his wooden house in Kg Kuala Ungar has no electricity and no access to clean water since 2010.

The 42-year-old retired army and his other four family members have been living in the wooden house raised on weak stilts for 10 years.

The family lit candles in their homes at night after their generator malfunctioned from a flood.

“Part of the kitchen area at the back also collapsed last year due to flooding and heavy downpour,” he said.

Abd Rashid earns around $200 a month through selling wild fruits and harvesting padi on a plot of land owned by his late father.

Meanwhile, his wife works as a cleaner at the Tutong District Office. He said her salary is not sufficient to provide food and school materials for their three sons.

Zamarul Hisham, the eldest son, said he and his brothers take the government school bus to school. Every morning they would shower at their grandmother’s house next to their home before heading to school.

Another resident of Kg Kuala Ungar, Jamilah Abdullah Tong, said her house has been running without electricity and water since 2010.

The widow and mother of six currently lives with her eldest son, who is suffering from spinal deformity, and her unemployed daughter. Her other children lives separately.

Jamilah is unable to get a job as she only speaks the Iban language.

In a brief interview with The Brunei Times, the Minister of Development and Chairman of the YSHHB Board of Directors, Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Hj Suyoi Hj Osman. said YSHHB will provide a safe home for the family members to live.

“Regarding their residence, we will try our best to assist the family members as part of a charity work from the family of His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam through YSHHB,” he said.

Hj Brahim Hj Ismail, the Managing Director of YSHHB, said that the organisation is planning to expand the charity platform once or twice a month, covering all districts in the future.

The Brunei Times