Bandar Seri Begawan - A family of four, who became victims to a fire tragedy earlier last month, received a total of B$795 and some basic food necessities from the Kampong Kapok Village Consultative Council (MPK Kapok) at an event held yesterday at the residence of the Head of Kampong Kapok, Awg Hj Marali bin Hj Ahmad.

Handing over the donation to the family head, Awg Sapree bin Hj Ahmad, was the Advisor of MPK Kapok, Dr Hj Abdul Hamid bin Hj Musa. The amount was contributed by MPK Kapok and some Kampong Kapok residents.

The fire tragedy, which took place recently on December 1 in Kampong Kapok, has destroyed the whole upper level of Awg Sapree's two storey house.

According to Awg Sapree, the whole family consisting of his wife and two children, was not home when the incident occurred.

However, they were told by eyewitnesses that the fire started from an empty house a distance away from theirs and due to strong winds, the flames quickly spread to Awg Sapree's house.

All their belongings, which were stored in their living quarter on the first floor, were damaged by the fire. Luckily, his restaurant located below their living quarter, which is also the family's sole source of income, was spared from the mishap.

In a speech by the Head of Kampong Kapok, Awg Hj Marali bin Hj Ahmad, the alms handed over yesterday was not just an obligatory act but it also mirrored the community's attitude and sense of empathy towards the hardship of fellow villagers, neighbours and friends.

Also held simultaneously yesterday was the distribution of the proceeds from the MPK Kapok Association of Arts and Tradition activities held throughout the year 2012, to the respective participants.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin