IPOH: Low Ah Chiew, 70, was a picture of happiness as she stood proudly in front of her new house in Jelapang.
Only last year, she was staying in her dilapidated house with her husband and children.
She was thankful for a visit by Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir during the Chinese New Year celebration in January, which she said changed her life.
"My plight had received the attention of the state government. They urged me to apply for the home rebuilding scheme offered by Yayasan Bina Upaya. My son, Lim Chee Keen, who works as a lorry driver, made the application.
"I have been living there for more than 40 years and the condition of the house has deteriorated over the years. We could never afford to repair the house, so I am grateful for the assistance by YBU.
"Now, I live in a safer and a more comfortable house," said Low, whose house was rebuilt at a cost of RM40,000 covered by YBU's Ibu Bina Baru scheme.
S. Narayanammah, 41, was struggling to raise her one-month old son Aashwin after her husband passed away due to heart attack seven years ago.
"My late husband, who worked as a factory worker was the sole breadwinner. So, I was at a loss financially.
"That was when I learnt about the RM200 financial aid by the state
government. While the amount might be small, such assistance offers some kind of reprieve while waiting for my Social Security Organisation (Socso) payment. I receive RM1,500 monthly from Socso," she said.
