A mother and her son received a heartwarming gesture from the International Graduate Studies College (IGS) as the students lifted their spirits to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri which is just around the corner. Students and lecturers participated in the event to lend a helping hand in making their house cleaner and more comfortable to live in.
Fifty-seven-year-old retiree, Hajah Dauyah and her son Mohd Noor, 27, have been unable to celebrate Hari Raya for 10 years due to the dilapidated state of their house after facing financial difficulties.
Fifty-seven-year-old retiree, Hajah Dauyah and her son Mohd Noor, 27, have been unable to celebrate Hari Raya for 10 years due to the dilapidated state of their house after facing financial difficulties.
According to Hajah Dauyah, she previously worked at the Agriculture Department. Her husband passed away when Mohd Noor was only 11years old.
"Now I depend on the B$200 financial aid from the Community Development Department and my son is employed at a coral products-processing company," said Hajah Dauyah.
Mohd Noor explained that he is currently working on an on-call basis and he receives a B$300 paycheck. As an alternative when not working, they depend on growing their own vegetables and catching fish just to make ends meet.
"We are thankful for the help rendered by the young people at IGS and their lecturers who have done an amazing job cleaning our whole house including the surroundings to lessen the burden we have been facing for so long," said Mohd Noor.
One of the leading members of IGS, Wan Haji Mohd Faisal Haji Zaini, said that around 150 students volunteered for the charitable work and were divided into four groups. They have been working hard from August 21 till yesterday to clean up the premises.
"We have narrowed down the list of six needy families provided by the Community Development Department. Six of us from IGS went out and interviewed the six families to find out which one of them needed help the most. Hajah Dauyah's residence was infested with insects and had a stench when we first came in to help but praise be to Allah, everything has gone as planned and it is now a better home to live in," he said.
Those interested in helping or giving donations to Hajah Dauyah may do so by approaching them directly at No 22, Simpang 544, Kampong Jerudong, right next to Holiday Lodge Hotel in Jerudong.
by Syafiq Affendy
