Bleak Deepavali For Siblings Who Lost Their Mother To COVID-19, YKM Extends Aid

SEREMBAN, Oct 22 ( Bernama) -- Deepavali celebrations have never been the same for M. Rajini, 17, Sumen Raj, 15, Kishor Raj, 14, and Bhuvana Raj, 10, since their mother's death three years ago due to COVID-19.

The siblings, who lost contact with their father for the past nine years, are living with their sick grandfather, S.Gunasigaram, 61.

"We miss our mother. She was great at making tosei. Every Deepavali, she would make various types of cakes, bought us new festive clothes. But now, no more. We didn't even buy festive clothes this year," Rajini told the reporter when met at her grandfather's house in Taman Bukit Mutiara, here today.

Rajini, who aspires to be a teacher, said they are relying on the kindness of their aunt, who has been helping them to continue with their lives and their studies.

The siblings' plight caught the attention of Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia (YKM) chairman Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, who visited the family today.

Ismail Sabri said YKM is allocating RM10,900 per year, distributed in stages, to lighten the family's burden.

"They are facing insurmountable challenges to continue their livelihood. This situation will undoubtedly affect these children long-term if we do not pay serious attention to their future.

"We cannot turn a blind eye or ignore the fate of orphans and children who have lost their parents to COVID-19 around us," he said, adding that besides Ranjini and her siblings, YKM is also assisting nine other families affected by COVID-19 who will be celebrating Deepavali next week.

Five families are in Selangor, two in Negeri Sembilan, and two in Melaka and Pahang. 

YKM was established in 2021 and allocates RM5 million per year to help nearly 1,000 orphans of various religions and ethnicities through various aid schemes, including school assistance, higher education assistance, and excellence awards for Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.

The Bera MP said YKM is also looking into helping children who lost their parents due to accidents.

-- BERNAMA