For some, the worst part of struggling through the pandemic is not having a family to support them.
A local disabled woman in Penang was evicted from her home with only RM50 in her pocket after her husband left her and returned to his home country and her six adult children refused to care for her, as shared by Machang Bubuk assemblyman, Lee Khai Loon.
He wrote, “When Kak Ida came to our service centre for help, her eyes were full of tears and she was very sad and worried. Kak Ida is a mother who was left disabled after an accident that happened in 2014. She has six adult children who refused to care for her or give her money to live. Her husband is a Pakistan national who left her with a debt of RM5,000. On top of that, he has returned to Pakistan.”
Because her business of selling clothes by the roadside didn’t work out, she was evicted from her RM800 a month flat with only RM50 in her pocket and no way of feeding herself.
“Without wasting time, I got a housing unit for Kak Ida. Besides that, I got help from friends to help Kak Ida move to the housing unit. While moving, I noticed an old, broken-down car in front of her flat. When asked, I found out that the car was meant to be a vehicle for her to make a living,”
“I asked a foreman to help repair the car so that Kak Ida can move around and run her business,” he explained, adding that he also got her a new pair of spectacles as her old one was broken and she couldn’t afford the repairs.
Now, Kak Ida is selling pisang goreng and keropok lekor cheese at the Alma Jaya Ramadhan Bazaar.
“Kak Ida was evicted from her home with only RM50 in her pocket, but today (23 April) is her first day on the business which has generated an income of RM276,” said Lee in a follow-up post the next day.
“I am so happy that Kak Ida is able to get up and start a new life journey. I hope nothing but the best and success for Kak Ida’s business,” he shared.
It’s amazing to see how people can pick themselves up and start afresh after hitting rock bottom. Kudos, YB, for helping her get back on her feet.
So, if you’re ever at the Alma Jaya Ramadhan Bazaar, do support Kak Ida’s business by purchasing some pisang goreng. Together, we can all help her achieve an honest livelihood.
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comment section.
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