Housing is one of the basic needs for human along with other necessities

Basic human needs

Housing is one of the basic needs for human along with other necessities – Fatimah

KUCHING: Housing is one of the very basic needs for humans, along with other necessities like water and electricity, said Minister of Welfare, Women and Family Development Datuk Hajah Fatimah Abdullah.

Speaking during the ground-breaking ceremony of Borneo Blitz Build 2014 at Jalan Stephen Yong here yesterday, Fatimah said one of the most common request made by the e-Kasih recipients according its statistic were either to built them new houses or renovate their current houses.

She added that the government really appreciate any help by non-governmental organisation (NGO) and corporate bodies.

“The houses built by Habitat For Humanity (HFH) are affordable and are of good quality, which will make the new owners very happy.

“The new houses will have more bedrooms, better air circulation, insulation from the sound and heat, allows natural sunlight to shine in, and even some space for gardening,” she said adding this would instill a sense of self-worth and dignity into the owner as well as a sense of ownership by working together with the volunteers.

According to Fatimah, the new house owners would have to pay a certain amount of money each month and this would give them a sense of accountability as the money would be used to build more new houses by HFH.

“It is good that HFH involves volunteers from all over the world as this is a good experience for them and hopefully, it will instill a sense of compassion, empathy, and the need to help the less fortunate.

She was worried that in this modern era, children would grow up thinking only for themselves instead of others and hoped that more donors and sponsors would come forward to help HFH.

Under the Borneo Blitz Build 2014, 14 families in need will work with local and overseas volunteers to construct 14 single-storey concrete semi-detached houses at Jalan Stephen Yong.

The project would commence from 14 to 19 Sept, 2014.

Also present during the event were Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Lo Khere Chiang, HFH Malaysia Kuching Affiliate president Timothy Ngu, Dato’ Abang Abdullah Bin Abang Mohamad Ali, Independent Non-Executive Director of NAIM Holdings Berhad, Goh Chii Bing, Executive Director of CMS Cement Sdn Bhd, Zuhaimi Abdul Hamid, Communication Leader of Procter & Gamble and representatives from the various sponsors.

    HABITAT for Humanity Malaysia-Kuching Affiliate president Timothy Ngu (left) receives the sponsorship mock cheque from Naim Holdings Bhd executive director Dato’ Abang Abdullah Bin Abang Mohamad Ali (right) witnessed by Minister of Welfare, Women & Family Development Datuk Fatimah Abdullah.

Sarawak Tribune

Thursday 24-Apr-2014