JOHOR BARU: Out of love and compassion, a 68-year-old woman has stepped in to care for and raise her grandchildren, including one with disabilities, after they were abandoned by their mother.
The senior citizen who only wished to be known as Mariam looks after and cares for her four grandchildren who are 11, 10 and 6, as well as the youngest, a 7-month-old who was born with a cleft lip and palate and needs immediate corrective surgery.
Mariam said she could not bear to see her grandchildren face all sorts of difficulties and hardship due to her daughter's lack of responsibility and her utter disregard for her own flesh and blood.
"My daughter is involved in drugs and she is also caught up with other social ills and problems.
"The eldest grandchild was left in their house in Ipoh after being born, and it was the same case for the two other grandchildren.
"The fourth grandchild was handed over to me by the court in Ipoh after she (Mariam's daughter) was charged with abuse and neglecting the children," she said when met at a people's housing project (PPR) here.
According to Mariam, the biggest challenge and test for her right now was her youngest grandchild who needs immediate corrective surgery at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital (HSA) here.
She said, for the time being, she is bearing the cost for the trips to the hospital, their basic needs and schooling with aid and assistance from the Welfare Department and Baitulmal amounting to RM1,000 a month.
She added that before this, she worked as a washer and sold cendol, but now she is unable to work after injuring her leg when she fell victim to a snatch theft four years ago.
Earlier, she received a welcome visit from Econsave general manager Mas Imran Adam who presented assistance and aid to her.
Mas Imran said the assistance made up of basic essentials, milk, and disposable diapers worth RM1,100 was to help relieve the burden on Mariam.