PENAMPANG: Some 30 volunteers spend their Merdeka celebration by helping a disabled man build a new grocery shop at his house at Kampung Dabak, here.

Registered under the State Welfare Department, the volunteers, comprising villagers and individuals from the various non-governmental organisations paid a visit to Francis Xavier Kinjin, who was born without legs, to assist in the effort.

District welfare officer Walter John Luan said the activity was part of the department’s social and community programme that focuses on assisting the underprivileged in building a home and providing building materials.

“Francis is registered with the department and we have been helping him by providing the necessary aid to reduce his burden.

“With such assistance, it is our hope to see our beneficiary will be able to generate income on their own and will no longer need financial assistance from the government.”

Francis, who is staying with his mother, runs a small wooden grocery shop at his house to earn a living.

“The shop is not in a good condition and it is at risk of collapse especially if there is a flood in the village.

“With the new shop, I hope it will boost his business. I also hope to provide more basic kitchen and daily needs for local villagers.”

Apart from selling groceries, Francis who moves around using either his knuckles, a wheelchair or a tricycle, also build furnitures out of PVC pipes to earn extra income.

-NST