IT was a dream come true for Awang Muhammad Shelmi bin Abdullah and family to finally own a new house thanks to a joint effort and initiative by Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, Brunei-Muara District Department, Brunei Islamic Religious Council and Community Development Department.

The presentation ceremony of the mock key took place yesterday at the new house located at Kampung Limau Manis, Jalan Junjongan in the Brunei-Muara District.

The mock key was presented by Pengiran Dato Paduka Haji Zaini bin Pengiran Haji Kamaluddin, member of the Board of Director Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah to Awg Muhammad Shelmi.

Present to witness the ceremony was Brunei-Muara District Officer Dato Paduka Awang Haji Md Yussop bin Bakar; Managing Director of Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Dato Paduka Awg Haji Ali Hashim bin Haji Daud and Deputy Secretary of Islamic Religious Council and representatives of the Community Development Department.

Also present were officers from the Brunei-Muara District Department, officers from Islamic Religious Council, Community Development Department, Penghulu of Mukim Pengkalan Batu and members of the Kg Limau Manis Consultative Council.

The house was built at a cost of $43,000 of which Yayasan Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah contributed $21,000, Brunei Islamic Religious Council $20,000, Department of Community Development $2,000 and $7,000 from the Brunei-Muara District Department’s charity fund. The new house has three bedrooms, one guest room, two toilets and a kitchen.

New convert Awg Muhammad Shelmi, 30, is currently living with his wife and seven children who are still schooling. He is unemployed after retiring from the army in 2005.

Before he got the new house, Awg Muhammad Shelmi and family stayed in an old dilapidated house without basic facilities such as electricity and water supply.

He expressed his thanks and appreciation to the relevant agencies concerned for their kind assistance towards the welfare of his family. He hopes that his new home could change his life and family for the better in the future.

Meanwhile, representatives from the Department of Community Development also presented daily necessities to the family.

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