'A RM1,500 family income doesn't take you far...'

FAMILIES which earn an income double the current poverty line income (PLI) can hardly pass off as being comfortable. Even with a salary of RM1,500 to RM1,700, families have been known to live on only one meal of rice a day, says community outreach worker Michael Sebastian who deals regularly with the needy.

Children have to stop schooling because their parents can't afford the steep rise in schoolbus fares.

This is the scenario facing the urban poor in Taman Prima Selayang, Selangor where the Foundation for Community Studies and Development is based.

"Husband is a lorry driver, wife works as a factory cleaner and both bring back a combined income of RM1,000 plus. With rentals, utility bills and 4-6 children to feed, how do you think they can manage it all?

"And although education appears to be free, it's not," said Sebastian, the foundation's general manager.

Children of underprivileged background can borrow textbooks in schools, and receive donated uniforms from the foundation, but parents still struggle to pay for workbooks, exercise books, art materials, and sport uniforms.

Many can't even afford the heavily subsidised tuition fees of RM20 a month when they send their kids to the centre for extra classes.

The recent fuel price hike has affected many of these families in the form of raised bus fares and price increase in essential goods.

The centre, which provides provisions like rice, cooking oil, flour, eggs and powdered milk, for needy families, is feeling the pinch, too.

"We used to be able to buy 10kg of rice for below RM20. Now we can't even get that amount at more than RM30.

"RM20 plus can only get us broken rice. If we give this to the families, they will happily take it. But in the long run, how will this affect the children's growth and health?"

Sebastian believes poverty eradication is possible if the poor are determined to end the vicious cycle and the right kind of assistance is given.

The welfarist approach is not the way to go, he stressed.

"We give out food items only to families which are on the brink of starvation, and only for three months.

"Anyone who walks into our centre wanting to improve his or her life must be committed to come out of poverty in two years.

"We give advice on how they can manage their budget, and provide the workforce skills necessary for them to better their economic standing. But they have to do the rest."