Charity home in Tambunan needs public assistance

Kota Kinabalu: The four bedroom wooden house in Kg Makatip Pagalan in Tambunan is a far cry from what Nora @ Mary Annunciata Marcus used to live in as a Catholic nun of the Order of St Claire, in the UK, since 2004.

 But Tambunan is her hometown and was where Nora, 61, longed to be when she decided to retire in 2018.

 “When I got back to Tambunan, people including juveniles, pregnant teens, single mothers, parents with disabled children and others started coming to see me.

“They asked if they could live with me. Some asked whether I was willing to help them with their unborn children,” she told the Star.

 “I tried going to the local authorities and associations for help but it seemed a dead end until I met Tambunan Assemblyman Datuk Dr Jeffery Kitingan. He agreed to let me use part of his land to set up the charity home.

“I took out all the savings of about RM30,000 and bought construction materials.

 “With help from villagers, we managed to build a shelter. There are over 20 people ranging from children to adults, abled and disabled, living in the small house. Some come and go.” 

The villagers help Sister Mary in her daily chores, especially preparing food for the residents.

“The villagers here are mainly poor or low income earners but they come every day, sending food from their backyards, from their farms and from rivers,” she said. She also planted some vegetables.

Seeing how these people came to help out even though they had trouble feeding their own families pushed her to persevere with the project.

A friend, Lily Fung, asked if she needed clothes for the children and residents.

“She forwarded the request to her friends and family, who later spread the word on social media. That was how it went viral with quite a number offering to send us used items and foodstuff,” said Sister Mary.

She said more and more people with social, mental and even family issues came to seek shelter and help.

“What we really need is someone who is able to fund us on a long-term basis, so that I can properly hire help and arrange for transportation every time someone needs medical attention,” she said.

If there are children born out of wedlock or due to rape or any circumstances put under her care, she would take care of them no matter how hard.

“I hope we can get the help we need to help these people. They are victims of circumstances, all of them are regardless of their condition,” she said.

Wish to help?

THOSE wishing to help may contact Sister Mary at 011-1421 3291. One may need to try a few times before they can reach her due to the location of the charity home and poor phone connection.

The charity home is registered with the Registrar of Societies and has an account under Persatuan Kebajikan Makatip Sabah, Bank Simpanan Nasional account number 1213741100006512.