Tuaran: The hardship of single mothers who are excluded in Tamparuli was finally alleviated after the Jalinan Bersatu Bersatu Prihatin-Ibu Tunggal (JBP-IT) programme was established.
The programme, organised by Pertubuhan Muafakat Titipan Amal Isteri Wakil Rakyat Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (Mutiara GRS), in collaboration with the Tamparuli Assemblyman’s Office (DUN), targeted those who are less knowledgeable to apply assistance online or lack of internet access.
JBP-IT Implementing Chairman, Datin Malianah Ugau, said the first phase of the programme involved 72 participants comprising four Polling District Centres (PDM) namely Kg Mangkaladoi, Kg Sawah, Telibong and Tamparuli.
She said the effort to provide the platform was due to ineffective information dissemination between the two sides, especially in residential areas that do not have access to the internet.
“Based on the report of the Sabah Women’s Affairs Department (Jhewa), the number of single mothers registered for the Tamparuli constituency is only 87 and we feel the figure is confusing as many individuals are trying to apply.
“We have identified more needy single mothers and also help mothers who are less able due to the loss of their husband’s source of income,” she said.
Malianah was met after the launching of the programme at the Tamparuli Sub-District Office Multipurpose Hall here, last Saturday, which was officiated by the wife of the Sabah Chief Minister as Datin Seri Julia Salag, who is the President of Mutiara GRS.
Meanwhile, a single mother known as Jamiah Jaikin, 54, from Kg Sawah, who lost her husband in 2011 with four children, said she is grateful that the programme made it easier for her to receive any help in the future.
“Since my husband died of intestinal ailments, I worked as a general worker in a rubber factory and due to lack of basic internet knowledge, I was not familiar on how to apply the assistance online, so I missed out on the aid.
“However, this programme made it easier for me to submit personal and family information for application,” she said.
Another woman known as Willdya William, 40, from Kg Bontoi admitted that the screening process through the online application for assistance made it difficult for her to get help.
“My family and I lost our source of income since my husband had to undergo continuous treatment in 2013 and I work alone in a small-scale café. I find it difficult to get approval for an application for assistance.
“This programme really understands the need when the information submitted is checked more carefully and it benefited us,” she said.
Another single mother, Norliza Sinail, 47, hoped that single mothers or mothers who are less able due to their husbands suffering from illness, would continue to be given such aid.
“It is not necessarily just help, but the planning of implemented programme may give us a job that can be a source of income.”
“This programme is very beneficial especially to us (single mothers) because there are still many who failed to get help through online applications just because the documents are incomplete.
“There are also those who are not able to manage the confirmation document as a single mother status due to certain factors and hope it can be resolved through this programme,” said Norliza.
