IPOH: A single mother of four whose husband died of a heart attack a few months ago is finding the going tough as she is now unable to work.
Nor Hidayah Abdul Rahim, 39, needs to look after her six-month-old daughter who has a cleft palate full-time and is living in a house with broken walls, roof and doors.
Now jobless, she relies on donations to survive.
“Before the birth of my youngest child, I used to sell satay with my late husband. I also do massages and sometimes take food orders from my neighbours,” she said when met at her house in Manjoi during a visit by Youth and Sports Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu yesterday.
Nor Hidayah said her daughter requires her full attention since she has trouble swallowing and taking in solid food due to her condition.
She also said she spends more than RM300 on her baby’s expenses every month.
“I will be seeing a paediatrician soon and, hopefully, someone will help me.
Nor Hidayah with her six-month-old daughter.
“Once my girl’s condition has been treated, I will look for a job as I don’t wish to rely on donations my whole life,” she added.
Nor Hidayah said her 17-year-old daughter got married recently and her son-in-law helps a little with their daily expenses.
“He just got hired as a security guard and helps to buy groceries and settle bills,” she said.
Nor Hidayah added that the house she is currently living in is in a bad shape as renovation works had stopped.
“We were renovating the house to deal with the flash floods that often occur but work had to stop as we could no longer afford to pay for it. My family’s safety is a concern because we cannot lock the doors and I really hope someone can help repair our home,” she said.
Ahmad Faizal said he will try to find ways to repair Nor Hidayah’s house.
“We might consider rebuilding it. It is heartbreaking to see her baby’s condition and we will seek a medical expert as soon as possible because if not treated urgently, it will cause problems for her as she grows up,” he said.