KUCHING: Nine-year-old Nurfatihah Shahmnan had to drop out of school to look after her sick and blind single mother.
Her mother, Norlela Bujang, 50, was diagnosed with diabetes in November last year and started losing her eyesight last January.
Because of that, Nurfatihah, who was enrolled at SK Enche Buyong here, did not register for school this year as she wanted to take care of her mother.
Things are looking up for her now and she is looking forward to going back to school soon because she no longer has to worry about leaving her mother alone in a rented room.
The State Social Welfare Department (JKM) will send its Home Help volunteers to take care of her mother while she goes to school.
“I am so happy that I can go back to school and that there will be someone to help me look after my mum,” she said.
Earlier, Minister of Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah, along with Yayasan Sarawak and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs), visited the mother and daughter to access their living conditions at a rented room on the first floor of a shop lot.
They also presented essential items, school supplies, and financial assistance.
Nurfatihah said she was afraid to leave her mother alone as her mother could not see and depended on her to move around.
When asked what she wanted to become when she grows up, she said she wants to become a police inspector.
“I want to study hard and become a police inspector not only to look after my mother, but others as well,” she said.
Meanwhile, Norlela conveyed her appreciation to those who have come forward to provide help for her and her daughter.
“I am so touched that Datuk Seri Fatimah came to visit us and I want to say thank you to all those individuals that have contributed,” she said.
The mother and daughter are currently staying in a rented room, and for Norlela she said it was still quite alright but she also worries for their safety.
“God willing, I do hope that my daughter and I can be moved to a better place soon,” she said.
Fatimah welcomes those who wish to help Norlela and her daughter and encourages them to inform JKM so that the assistance can be channelled properly and to avoid donors from being scammed.
She also advised Nurfatihah to be aware and careful if someone wants to offer help, and to not simply trust strangers.
