FRIDAY, 04 OCTOBER – Like the saying that goes, ‘It never rains, it pours’, the same can be said about this 64 year old grandmother of 20 grandchildren who was one of the 600 fire victims of Kg. Numbak.

“Earlier this year, my house at Kg. Sabang was razed by fire. We then moved to stay with my son. Unfortunately, his house is also burnt down,” she explained.

The grandmother was expressing her sadnes when met by reporters from Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Media who were covering the humanitarian aid mission of this EcoCampus university at Menggatal Community Hall.

“I was asleep when the fire broke out at around 1.00 pm. I heard shouts from outside, I then got up and gathered all my grandchildren,” she said.

She was able to grab their personal documents amidst all the frantic before jumping off into the sea with her grandchildren.

When asked about the aid being distributed, she thanked UMS and all parties concerned that came to offer their assistance and contributions to ease the burden of the 74 affected families.

UMS delegation headed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Datuk Dr. Mohd. Harun Abdullah handed over daily needs as well as clothing and foodstuff including cash contributed by students and staff of UMS.

Also in the delegation were the Head of Chancellery Department, No’man Hj. Ahmad; Head of Student Affairs and Alumni Department, Mohd. Raffie Hj. Janau and staff and students of UMS. – FL

 

By Faezah Mohamad Dun