Fatimah (third right) showing a basket weaved by Ani (in orange shirt).
THE Kuching Temporary Transit Centre (TTG) will adopt the concept implemented in Sibu.
Sarawak Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Minister Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah said Kuching North City Hall (DBKU) was renovating a building for its transit centre, which was expected to be completed by November.
“We will use the experience from here to set up the Kuching TTG. Whatever is useful will be adopted, and the unsuitable methods will be discarded,” said Fatimah who led the Kuching TTG Advisory Board members on a visit to Sibu TTG after chairing a meeting on the transit centre’s operations.
Kuching TTG Advisory Board deputy chairman Mohamad Razi Sitam led his team on a working visit to Sibu where he received the appointment letter from Fatimah.
The transit centre in Sibu was the first of its kind for the homeless in Sarawak, and its success would be used as a benchmark for the Kuching, Miri and Bintulu centres, said Fatimah.
She said the Miri City Council’s TTG was expected to be ready in April, but it would take some time before the Bintulu TTG, which is to be built by the Bintulu Development Authority (BDA), could be ready.
“Since starting operations in December 2021, the Sibu centre has welcomed 74 homeless people rescued from the streets.
“Of the number, 48% have moved out voluntarily. There are still 11 people at the centre,” she added.
Fatimah attributed the success of Sibu TTG to strong support from the community, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and the corporate sector that contributed support and financial aid.
“We hope the community and NGOs in Kuching, Miri and Bintulu lend their support to the TTG in their area,” she said.
Meanwhile, two homeless people have been identified to teach creative skills to the Sibu TTG residents.
“We have chosen Ani Mail, who is adept at weaving baskets, to teach the homeless while a new resident will teach them sewing,” said Fatimah.
She said the homeless would be given life skills so that they could return to society and be independent.
“The TTG also provides motivation and counselling sessions for them.
“We also do job matching for the homeless with Socso’s (Social Security Organisation) help.
“Some have found jobs as toilet caretakers, security guards and coffeeshop assistants,” she added.
Lobster farming, growing vegetables and rearing fish are among the activities that occupy the homeless’ time at Sibu TTG.
