Yayasan My First Home pledge 100 houses for Orang Asli

Yayasan My First Home (YMFH) marked a significant milestone today with the handover of its first home for the Orang Asli community in Muadzam Shah, alongside two additional houses for the Orang Asli community in Tapah, Perak. This event signifies a major step in YMFH’s mission to provide safe and secure housing for underserved communities, particularly the Orang Asli families in Malaysia.

The newly completed home in Kampung Inoi, Muadzam Shah, built by local Orang Asli villagers, has transformed the life of Mr. Chaman Sinda and his family. Chaman, a rubber tapper and fisherman who had endured overcrowded living conditions for over 50 years, expressed profound gratitude for the new home: “I never thought owning a proper home would be possible. I am deeply grateful to Yayasan My First Home and Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan for making this dream a reality for my family.” This initiative not only provided Chaman’s family with a stable home but also created job opportunities for the Kampung Inoi villagers, who were compensated for their construction work.

Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Vincent Tan Chee Yioun, Founder and Advisor of YMFH and Berjaya Corporation Berhad, attended the handover ceremony, reinforcing the foundation’s commitment to creating lasting positive change. Nambee Ashvin Nambiar, General Manager of YMFH, also emphasized the importance of community involvement and collaboration in achieving their ambitious goals.

100 homes in 12 months

YMFH has set an ambitious target of building 100 homes for the Orang Asli community within the next 12 months. This pledge highlights the foundation’s dedication to providing essential housing for Malaysia’s indigenous communities. Each three-bedroom, 600 sqft home costs approximately RM60,000 to RM65,000, underlining the substantial financial commitment required to expand these efforts.

Tan Sri Vincent Tan stressed the broader impact of this initiative: “These homes are the foundation for a brighter future, offering stability and dignity for the Orang Asli families. We invite everyone to join us in this vital mission to make a meaningful difference.” With over 250 Orang Asli families in urgent need of similar support, YMFH calls for collaboration from government bodies, corporations, and individuals to realize this vision.

The project’s success in Kampung Inoi serves as a model for future efforts, demonstrating how community-driven construction can yield significant benefits. By involving the local Orang Asli villagers in the building process, YMFH not only provides housing but also fosters skills development and economic empowerment within the community.

Call for collaboration and support

The success of YMFH’s mission relies heavily on collective efforts. The foundation urges government entities, private corporations, and individuals to contribute to this noble cause. The handover of the first homes is just the beginning; sustaining and expanding this initiative requires a robust support network.

As YMFH moves forward with its pledge to build 100 homes in the coming year, the hope is that more families like Chaman’s will experience the profound change that comes with having a place to call home.

This initiative is a powerful reminder of the difference that dedicated efforts and community support can make in the lives of Malaysia’s indigenous communities. For those interested in contributing to YMFH’s mission, more information can be found at Yayasan My First Home.