In the rural village of Kampung Orang Asli Bukit Manchong, Kamarul, Normah, and their son Iqbal lived in an overcrowded 600-square-foot house, sharing it with ten other family members. However, all that changed last week.
EPIC Homes, along with a group of volunteers, including 30 men from St. Andrew’s, built them a new home in just three days. This marked the 254th home completed by EPIC Homes, which works to provide shelter for the Orang Asli community in Malaysia, offering families in need a fresh start. Overcrowding and poor living conditions have been a long-standing challenge for many living in the village. For Kamarul’s family and others in the community, this new home brings a renewed sense of hope and resilience.
For the 30 men from St. Andrew’s, this wasn’t just about building a house but building up the body of Christ. It was an opportunity to live out our faith, acting in love through service. Despite facing harsh weather with intense heat, torrential rain, thick mud, and relentless mosquitos, we were motivated by our love for God and his presence in our work. He gave us the strength to push through the physical and emotional exhaustion. God continued to encourage us with the realisation that we had an opportunity to practically change someone’s life. Something many of us hadn’t felt in years, caught in the comfortable routines of city life.
When faith meets action, love becomes the foundation
We worked tirelessly to construct a home with a foyer, kitchen, living room, and two bedrooms. For Kamarul’s family, this home means much more than a house to live in. It’s a space that restored their dignity, safety, and hope for the future. It’s a place where Iqbal can focus on his education, the family can sleep without fear, and long-deferred dreams can start to become reality. But for the men of St. Andrew’s, this home stands as a symbol of something more: the love of God, the power of faith and the gift of Christian community.
EPIC Homes, founded by John-Son Oei in 2010, began as a response to the severe housing shortages faced by Malaysia’s Orang Asli communities. Over time, it has evolved into a movement that has completed over 250 homes and mobilised more than 8,000 volunteers. The organisation is built on the belief that ordinary people can make an extraordinary impact, changing the lives of those living in poverty.
As Build Experience Coordinator Low Chee Hong reminded the volunteers, “We are not just building a house; we are building a home for a family!” EPIC Homes goes beyond construction, building communities and bringing together people from different walks of life to create lasting hope.
Like all those before it, this mission is a testament to what happens when ordinary people unite for a common purpose. When faith meets action, love becomes the foundation upon which something extraordinary is built. In the words of EPIC Homes’ Manifesto: “Together, we are EPIC.”
