KOTA KINABALU: Help has been coming in for families affected by the recent landslide in Kg Kopungit near here, including three families whose children study at SMK Sanzac, Tanjung Aru.
This was due to proactive efforts by Marlin Sikil, 37, who teaches three students who were affected by the disaster.
She first made requests via WhatsApp from fellow teachers, students, as well as her friends and families to donate what they could.
Her plea for help began to spread and assistance began to pour in.
“From the school’s side, we managed to raise over RM4,000 and have passed the money to the families,” she said.
Marlin said she was the teacher to three children from the three families affected.
“Seeing their homes destroyed and almost everything they owned gone due to the landslide and floods breaks my heart,” she said.
Rusidah Jisrin, mother of one of the students, said she had yet to get over the shock of having her rented home destroyed by the landslide but was glad that they were safe and alive.
The mother of four expressed her gratitude to all, including Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin, who had helped her family by donating money, essentials and other items over the past few days.
“I am touched and just happy that so many people care, even though I know many have problems of their own during this pandemic,” she said.
Rusidah’s husband has not been able to work due to serious health conditions.
She said although the house was not hers, she lost many personal and household items and her children’s digital gadgets for online classes.
“I hope that my PPRT (people’s housing project for the hardcore poor) home application will be approved so that I will be able to have my own house,” she said.
For the two other students and their families, one was living with a relative and the other was taking shelter at the housing area canteen for the time being.
Those who wish to contribute can donate to the SMK Sanzac welfare unit’s emergency fund at CIMB Bank 8005522848 with a note referencing “Kopungit victims”.
