KOTA KINABALU: A retired preschool teacher and her younger sister are left with only the clothes on their backs after their wooden stilt house at Sim-Sim, Sandakan, collapsed just days before Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Sharipa Fahanipah Shariff Omang, 63, said their family home – which stood for nearly 60 years – collapsed at around 9.25am on March 27, after days of creaking noises and visible tilting.
“There were signs that the house was giving way… we could hear the structure groaning. But we tried our best to maintain it, hoping it would hold through Ramadan,” she said.
They managed to escape before the house collapsed, rescuing only essential documents such as birth certificates, house papers and school certificates. However, appliances including the fridge, television, washing machine and sewing machine were lost.
Sharipa, who retired in 2019, now stays in a temporary rental unit provided by local authorities. However, the unit has no running water making it difficult for her and her 58-year-old sister, both of whom are single, to perform their daily routines.
“We’re grateful for the roof over our heads, but without water… it’s not liveable. We need water for everything, especially as we prepare for Raya.”
Sharipa added that the house collapsed due to its age and weakening structure.
“The posts and beams were no longer strong. We had applied for assistance before, but maybe we were late in submitting our applications.”
The house was inherited from their late father and has been the central gathering place for their large family during festivals.
“This house was built by our father… it’s where all 10 siblings grew up. But after everyone went their separate ways only my sister and I stayed there.”
With Hari Raya just days away, Sharipa said she will likely celebrate with her siblings at their homes in Mile 10 or Mile 7, Sandakan.
Still, the loss of their family home, especially during Ramadan, weighs heavily on her.
“I don’t even feel like baking or preparing anything this year. There’s nowhere to keep things. I just hope some help will come soon.”
