KOTA KINABALU: A Sabahan welder, who was left with over RM100,000 in hospital bills in South Korea, has made it home safely, thanks to donations from various parties.
The largest portion of donations came from parishioners from True Jesus churches around the state and in South Korea, who heard about his plight from news organisations and social media, local leaders and non-governmental organisations.
With the return of Eddy Laimin (pic), 27, all donations to his family can now cease, said Solidarity Anak Sabah president Sem Kulian, who was among the first to initiate seeking help for Eddy and the family.
Eddy was hospitalised for pneumonia for over a month since March in South Korea, with the bills rising each day and him having no way of paying them off till he decided to seek public assistance.
Sem said from his understanding, Eddy, the eighth of 11 siblings, had settled a total of RM110,117.19 to the hospital and paid off some debts owed since he fell sick, with his family in Keningau having to borrow money from family and friends.
Donations from the public were also used to pay for flight tickets and other essential expenses from Korea to Kota Kinabalu, he added.
“With this, the donation drive (for Eddy) will cease.
“We are grateful for the kindness and generosity shown to this family ... Thank you so much,” said Sem, who spoke on behalf of Eddy’s family.
Upon his arrival, Eddy, who was accompanied by his sister Juitah and a friend who acted as a translator for them in South Korea, expressed his gratitude to everyone who helped him and his family during this trying time and for bringing him home.
He thanked all the churches in Sabah and South Korea who assisted him, Pastor Kim Sae-han, Ching Chou Church, as well as doctors and nurses at the Chungbuk National University Hospital in Chungbuk, who treated him.
He also thanked several others such as the Malaysian embassy in South Korea, Solidariti Anak Sabah, the Sabah state liaison office in Kuala Lumpur, Agaras president Datuk Michael Frederick, Bernama, The Star, AirAsia, Datuk Seri Jeffrey Kitingan, Datuk Robert Tawik, Datuk Ellron Angin and local translator Metlye.
“Most importantly, my recovery, financial aid and all other assistance that came along would not have been possible without God’s intervention,” said Eddy.
Sem said Eddy will have follow-up treatments in Keningau and Kota Kinabalu.
“Welcome home Eddy and get well soon,” he added.
Eddy’s story came to light in early April when Sem shared about his plight on the Solidarity Anak Sabah social media account, before reaching out to the media for more exposure.
