BRINGING JOY TO SOME OF SABAH'S POOR PEOPLE
Sampoerna, Tawau
PART 2
DAY 2: Distributing Bags Of Rice, Using Boat (200 Bags distributed directly by Jin Hong & Philip; 400 Bags by Amin & Village Head)
The Trip started with the 200 Bags of Rice being loaded into the Boat we were using for the distribution. (As part of his training as a "Soon To Be Accountant", Jin Hong did the Physical Stock Count to ensure 200 bags of rice were actually loaded into the Boat šš„°)
For this expedition, we were using the Boat to hand over the bags of rice directly to the Families living in the Stilt Houses in the Sea as well as those families living in boats drifting in the Sea. Those living in boats had their Stilt Homes destroyed by fire, or they were torn down, or they simply cannot afford to put up Stilt Homes. Softly our hearts cried out to see these families of 3 to 7 members living in these small modest boats they call their home, adrift in the Sea.Ā
Some of the Stilt Houses in the Sea were clustered together, connected a common wooden board walk; some of the board walks had gaps as some pieces of timber had fallen off and we had to tread carefully. We were informed that where the Stilt Homes are in Clustered, they are occupied by same family groups and extended families.Ā
We provided the smaller families with 1 bag of rice, but the bigger families with many children and elderly were given 2 to 3 bags of rice.Ā
This Part of the Expedition was exciting, but more required more physical energy as we had to carry the rice bags to hand over, especially for those cluster stilt homes, and we had to throw the rice bags across from the boat, where the boat was not able to get near enough to the stilt houses.
But it was a worthwhile effort; whether it was 1 bag, or 2 or 3 bags of rice, the families received them graciously. We noted their smiles as they waved to us on our journey. šā¤ļø
Philip Goh
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Shared by: Philip Goh, 17/03/2026
