KUCHING: A total of 370 participants from 11 divisions throughout Sarawak received assistance through the Low Income FamilyEmpowerment (LIFE) Programme for the period 2023 to 2025.

Minister for Women, Early Childhood and Community Wellbeing Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah said that the programme was implemented to help low-income groups increase their income and standard of living through the assistance of equipment adapted to their respective income-generating activities.

"The LIFE Programme is one of the initiatives of the Sarawak Government under the Ministry for Women, Early Childhood and Community Welfare Development to help low-income earners generate income and improve living standards through the assistance of equipment adapted to their respective income-generating activities.

"For the period 2023 to 2025, a total of 370 participants from 11 divisions throughout Sarawak have received assistance through the programme," she said.

She said this when receiving a courtesy call from the Persatuan Aspirasi Pemulihan Prospek Kuching, here, on Monday.

Persatuan Aspirasi Pemulihan Prospek Kuching is a community organisation established with the support of the Sarawak State Prison Department to help prospects build a support system and rebuild their lives to reintegrate into society.

Dato Sri Fatimah added that the effectiveness of the programme was also evaluated based on the participants' ability to continue income-generating activities and become more independent.

In the meantime, she appreciated the role the Persatuan Aspirasi Pemulihan Prospek Kuching played in monitoring and supporting the development of the participants to help them continue and expand their income generation activities.

She also emphasised the importance of cooperation between the government, district offices, related agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and community organisations to ensure that participants continue to receive the necessary support.

Dato Sri Fatimah expressed that the collaboration can continue to ensure that the benefits of the LIFE Programme could be steadily experienced by the participants and their families, in addition to encouraging the participants to improve their skills, make the best use of the assistance received and continue to strive to generate better income and improve family life.

The visit was led by the Superintendent of Prisons Saiful Mohamad, Head of the Prisons and Correctional Division, Sarawak State Prisons Director's Office, together with the Chairman of the Prospect Rehabilitation Aspiration Association Adillah Ismail.

Also present were four LIFE Programme prospects who shared their development and experience in the fields of photography, pastry and catering as well as sewing. -UKASnews