KUCHING: Hope Place visited seven longhouses at Ulu Rajang last weekend for their annual Charity Without Borders campaign.
The non-governmental organisation, in a statement yesterday, said it had teamed up with Chamo 4×4 Club, Kelab Cabaran Pacuan 4 Roda Bintulu and Munsang Winch 4×4 for the campaign.
Hope Place team leader Peter Naun stated that this year, the campaign emphasised on providing daily provision, medical care and fire safety.
“The villages we went to are very far from any town. Therefore, for these villagers, basic needs like food and healthcare are vital for their survival,” he said.
He added that the 10-hour journey had started in Bintulu to Long Tanyit as their first destination.
“From there, the convoy went to Long Kajang, Long Abit, Long Lidem, Lesong Naha Nyabung, Long Lebuie and Long Kebuho.
“It was another long eight hours off road journey from the first village to Lesong Naha Nyabung and a 30-minute boat ride to Long Kebuho and Long Lebuie,” he said.
Following this, he shared that the villages in Ulu Rajang consist of the Penan, Punan and Kayan tribes.
“In total, we have visited 221 doors and about 1,000 villagers. The villagers are mostly hunters and gatherers, as well as fishermen.
“Although they do plant paddy for rice, it is still in a very small quantity and just enough for their own consumption.
“With that, the villagers told us that drastic changes in weather nowadays makes it hard for them to provide enough food for their growing family,” he said.
Naun also pointed out that another aspect which these villages lack is healthcare.
“These seven villages only depend on the monthly services of flying doctors. And if the weather is bad, the doctors’ schedule will be postponed.
“Therefore, we hope to bring a medical team there to do a thorough health screening for the villagers.”
Furthermore, he stated that the villages here also do not have any school and that most children there do not go to school or be given any formal education.
“The nearest school is located at Lusong Laku, which is about four hours away and another is at Sg. Asap which is about seven hours away.
“The only children who are able to go to school belong to families who are better off financially. However, there is a kindergarten which is operated by volunteers who are willing to teach,” he added.
For the record, this year’s campaign will be under the charge of Chamo 4×4 Club, assisted by Kelab Cabaran Pacuan 4 Roda Bintulu.
The whole convoy, together with Hope Place, will go to Ulu Rajang again ons December 16. Apart from food aid and medical teams, the NGO also wished to bring Fire and Rescue officers to conduct safety briefing and contribute fire extinguishers.
