PETALING JAYA: It was a joyous occasion for a Pahang Orang Asli family at Kampung Inoi in Muadzam Shah when they became the first to receive a RM60,000 home built by Yayasan My First Home (YMFH).

Chaman Sinda, 50, who does odd jobs as a rubber tapper and fisherman, said he never expected to own a house.

“There are times like during the rainy season when I cannot work and just plant vegetables around my old house. Without a regular income, I still can’t believe that I am now a house owner.

“I am very proud and deeply grateful to YMFH for this gift as I have been living in Kampung Inoi for over 50 years in a dilapidated place,” said Chaman, who moved into his 550 sq ft, three-bedroom house with his 49-year-old wife and six children aged between 20 and 30.

Chaman said over the years, he had applied to the government and other organisations for a house but was always rejected since he did not have a regular income to make the monthly payments.

He said he shared his old house with eight children and 14 adults who did odd jobs such as hunting and growing vegetables, apart from working in nearby factories.