Helping hand for the rural poor in the Christmas spirit

The Sabah Society of Hope with recipients at Kg Sodomon in Tulid, Keningau. (Inset) Josephine Hadikusumo giving "goodies" to a child at Kg Sembulan Baru, Kota Kinabalu.

KOTA KINABALU: A little Christmas cheer was spread to hundreds of children in rural areas by the Sabah Society of Hope.

The aid, for children from lower income (B40) families, was distributed in Sabah's Keningau and Ranau areas.

Society president Josephine Hadikusumo along with eight volunteers distributed 2,000 milk powder packs for 1,000 children, 1,100 packets of soy milk drink, 2,675 pieces of children's face masks and 134 pencil cases to school-going children in 20 locations over a five-day period last week.

Hadikusumo said the food aid distribution exercise covered mainly rural churches, villages and a primary school.

Among the areas covered were Bundu Tuhan in Ranau and Tulid in the sub-district of Sook of interior Keningau as well as Kg Sembulan Baru here.

In Tamparuli, she said SK Sinulihan headmaster Mohamad Rozzali Rambangan received 22 boxes of face masks (totalling 1,100 pieces) and pencil cases for pupils in the primary classes.

According to Kg Sodomon village chief Megasin Radius, the milk powder provided a relief for poor families who found it difficult to make ends meet.