M’sian family of 5 loses source of income during MCO
A family of 5 is left to struggle during MCO as they’ve lost their income due to the lockdown
Image adapted from: Nor Akmar Qaseh
Not only are we scrambling to contain the COVID-19 outbreak, but we also have to deal with the repercussions it has caused our economy. With industries crashing left and right, many Malaysians are fighting to secure their jobs and incomes.
This local family of 5 had their streams of income cut off due to the Movement Control Order (MCO) that has been in place since 18th March 2020. Pre-MCO, you’d find them outside SOGO, KL where they’ll busk and sell toys on the streets. After the lockdown, however, they were left to survive with just a meagre RM300 cash handout.
After learning their story on social media, kind-hearted netizens chipped in to help raise money for the family in need.
Family’s plight goes viral on social media
On 22nd April 2020, Nor Akmar Qaseh, a professional youth worker at an NGO Federasi Kebangsaan Pekerja Belia, shared in a Facebook post about the story of a family of 5 that she had just come across, and the struggles that they were going through due to the MCO.
Qaseh said that since the implementation of the MCO, the family hasn’t been able to earn an income as their main revenue comes from busking and selling toys on the streets. It’s a daily struggle for this family of 5 as their responsibilities and commitments continue to pile up.
Aside from room rental which costs RM40 a day, the parents also have to scrounge for money to buy diapers and milk for their young OKU daughter named Syikin.
Syikin with her mother
Image adapted from: Nor Akmar Qaseh
However, their landlord was kind enough to allow them to hold off all payments until the MCO is lifted. While this certainly helps to ease their burden, it still isn’t a viable option considering that the MCO may be extended yet again. This will only place them in bigger debt once the situation tides over.
The family had also only been receiving a monthly handout of RM300 from JKM for their OKU daughter, as they were still waiting to hear back from other organisations.
A peek into Syikin’s house
Image adapted from: Nor Akmar Qaseh
The entire family lives and sleeps in a small room that can barely fit all of them, which is why they need to move their things out at night before they go to bed, to make enough room for all 5 of them. When morning comes, they move their things back in – and this repeats whenever night falls.
Because the family’s plight tugged at the heartstrings of many people, Qaseh’s post now has over 3,000 shares and 1,000 comments.
M’sians jumped into action to help out this family in need
In another update on 23rd April 2020, Qaseh shared that she made another trip to Syikin’s house and handed the family a RM500 donation made by someone who got to know about the family’s plight. Qaseh also mentioned that JAKIM had gotten in touch with her to know more about the family’s living conditions so that they would be able to give them the help they need.
Syikin’s family poses for a photo
Image credit: Nor Akmar Qaseh
The comments section in Qaseh’s posts has been flooded with questions from kind-hearted Malaysians who wanted to know how they could help. Many also asked for the family’s bank account number so that they could wire in their donations.
Image adapted from: Rafflesia Ayang
Facebook user Rafflesia‘s comment in Malay can be translated to “How can I help? Is there a bank account number?”
Image adapted from: Norazlan Mohamad Sharif
Another Facebook user Norazlan also asked Qaseh if there was a bank account number that he could transfer his donations into.
M’sians lend a helping hand to family affected by MCO
It’s heartening to see so many Malaysians eager to help out a family that’s been affected by MCO, especially since many of us are tightening our budgets during this time. We’re sure that Syikin’s family will put the money they’ve received to good use, and hopefully, the amount will help them tide over this rough period.
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