KUNDASANG: For Roger Eban, this year's Christmas celebration will be a special occasion to foster closer ties with family during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 53-year-old mountain guide from Kampung Bundu Tuhan here said strengthening family relationships was crucial during tough times, especially when loved ones are far away from home.
"Christmas celebrations should start from home and within the family. In this uncertain pandemic, we cannot be complacent and risk the safety of our loved ones.
"I'm sure everyone is excited about Christmas and whether to have open houses. For our family, we have decided not to invite relatives or go for house visits," he said when met at Kinabalu Park here, today.
Roger said such a decision was a sign of respect to other relatives and friends, who might feel uncomfortable having to invite guests into their homes when the state's daily Covid-19 cases are in the triple digits.
He noted the family would make full use of technology to catch up with loved ones, relatives, and friends, adding that one of his three children is currently studying in Selangor.
Roger is among 300 mountain guides who received food assistance from the Sabah Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) here, today.
Present at the handing over of food aid were Sabah MRCS president Datuk Asnan Yunus Chung, its honorary secretary Jenny Kwong, and Kinabalu Park assistant manager Januarius Shafpang.
The mountain guides were badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic since the imposition of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in March, with many losing their main source of income and having to look for alternative jobs.
For Roger, who became a mountain guide in 2017, he turned to farming. He also does busking to earn extra income especially during the Conditional MCO.
Since the reopening of mountain climbing activities on Dec 7, Roger said he has yet to guide climbers, adding most mountain guides will follow schedules and do guiding upon request.
As for 37-year-old Billy Sapinggi from Kampung Kiau, he said this year's Christmas too would be a time for reflection and strengthening the family bond.
Billy is the elder brother of Robbie, who was among four mountain guides killed during the 2015 Ranau earthquake.
He said they would offer prayers for Robbie and all family members for good health so they are protected from the Covid-19 virus.
"Apart from me, my father Sapinggi Ladsou and younger brother Binker are also mountain guides. We have not got a guiding schedule and I do hope we are able to celebrate the festive season together," he said.
Billy, who has 20 years' experience in guiding climbers, added his family is doing farming and selling crops to cover expenses, adding that the food assistance they received would help reduce their burden.
Jamilus Kasili, 38, also expressed his gratitude to MRCS for distributing food aid to affected mountain guides.
"Life has been tough since the pandemic. After the mountain closure, I did odd jobs to earn money. Even now, if someone is looking for a grass cutter, I will take that offer.
"Like many, I also plant vegetables but sales are not as lucrative, because there's low demand. Despite the tough challenges, we still try to do something until we can return to guiding climbers," he said.
Sponsored by Nestle Malaysia, Asnan said the food aid, comprising instant noodles and beverages, would also be extended to tour guides and single mothers, among others.
"We understand that everyone is facing hardships and our role is to assist. We work to look for sponsorships and provide assistance to those in need.
"Today, we provided food supply to mountain guides. At the same time, we also hope that they will look for alternative income such as through jobs in agriculture," he said.
Meanwhile, Januarius said they expect mountain climbing activities to pick up next week based on registered bookings. At the moment, he said there were less than 20 climbers per day despite the capacity being limited to 100 climbers following Covid-19 standard operating procedures.
He said many are still unsure whether to climb Mount Kinabalu, but noted climbers would increase in the days to come and as such, more mountain guides would be able to return to work.
