KUALA LUMPUR: Siti Endon’s perseverance in entertaining members of the public by wearing different types of cartoon character costumes so that she can put food on the table as well as to feed her 50 cats has caught the attention and sympathy of netizens.
Malaysians of all races yesterday voiced out a plan to establish a crowdfunding platform to assist the 56-year-old.
Endon is known as the “Hello Kitty Makcik” by those who encountered her wearing the Japanese cartoon character mascot costume at the beach in Kuantan, Pahang.
A concern netizen, under the Facebook handle of Hanis ZA, said members of the public can donate RM5 each in order for Siti Endon to get more than RM30 a day.
“Okay at least we need to drop RM 5... So she will get more than RM30 per day...not easy to walk in that costume for hours. I’ll drop RM 10 easily. Need to help our own people,” she commented.
Another netizen, Zul Haizam Kasbi, who supported the idea, posted: “Let’s ask someone nearby her to get her bank details, and then we start donating! What say the others?!”
Another Facebook account holder, Grace Chow, enquired in the comment section: “Can someone maybe start a gofundme account for her?”
While commending the elderly woman’s effort, Nabil M Azmi also has pledged to help her.
“Inspiring story about resilient and grit…Let’s help her. Crowdfunding stat plz. Give us the account number,” he commented.
Shahjanaz Kamaruddin, on the other hand, said she respected Endon’s hard work in order to earn a living.
“I respect that she works hard to earn an honest living. May Allah bless and reward all her efforts,” she said.
Another Facebook account holder by the name Leong Sureshraja commented that he will pray for Siti Endon’s wellbeing.
“May God bless you mak cik…hope your children’s will come over and look after you,” he posted.
Despite her age and having to spend long hours daily walking along the beach in the unbearable heat inside the costume, Siti Endon never was one who was shy, as she sought to earn a living without the need to trouble others.
Besides wearing the Hello Kitty mascot costume to entertain the public, she also puts on Doraemon, Snow White and a bear costume to earn a living.
The 56-year-old earns RM30 daily on the average.