When Fire Took Samantha’s Home

Not long ago, tragedy struck one of our weaving families. Samantha — a talented Penan weaver — and her family lost their home in a sudden fire. Nothing was left standing, only a few charred metal spoons among the ashes.

The fire most likely began in the kitchen, where gas is sometimes used for cooking. It spread quickly through the wooden walls and the fragile corrugated iron roof. Within moments, everything was gone.

A Family with Deep Roots in the Village

Samantha’s father is the village headman. Years ago, when the forest around their home was cut down by logging companies, he received a small government payment — just $3,500 — to share among the community. Like many Penan leaders, he divided it fairly, ensuring everyone had a little support, though never enough to replace what was lost when the jungle disappeared.

With some outside help, Samantha’s family also created a productive garden. They learned how to compost and care for the soil, quickly picking up new skills to provide food for their children.

A Home Full of Life and Love

Before the fire, their home was simple but alive with family. The iron roof often rusted quickly, and the natural leaves once used for roofing were no longer available — the trees that supplied them had been cut down years earlier.

Inside, laughter and weaving filled the space. Samantha’s aunt, Busak, also a skilled weaver, often joined her. Together, they would sit side by side, hands busy with rattan strands, while children played around them. On one visit, they proudly showed us wild durian fruits — a delicacy with a taste Sir David Attenborough once compared to crème caramel, though with a smell “like a London sewer.”

Now, Only Ashes Remain

Today, that home is gone. A place of family, weaving, and memory has been reduced to blackened soil and twisted scraps of metal. For Samantha and her family, the loss is devastating.

But the Penan spirit is strong. They will rebuild, with hope, with community, and with the same resilience they show in their weaving.

How You Can Help

Samantha’s family are among our most dedicated contributors. Their weaving supports not only their household but also helps preserve Penan heritage for the next generation. Now, they need support more than ever.

We will be sharing photos and a short video of the fire’s aftermath. If you would like to help Samantha’s family rebuild, please stay connected with us. Even the smallest gift can make a real difference.

 From ashes, life can begin again.