BINTULU: Single mother Siti Rosmawati Abdullah alias Maria Francis has made a desperate plea to the public for help to raise the six children under her care.
PLEASE HELP US: Siti with Mohamed Fauzi.
A cleaner at a primary school here is at her wits’ end trying to figure out how to support her family on a monthly salary of RM400.
Siti’s problems began last month when her husband divorced her and gave up his familial responsibilities.
“Before the divorce, I was not working and as a full-time housewife looked after the children at home,” she told The Borneo Post yesterday.
The family is now on the brink of eviction as Siti cannot afford the RM500 rent for their home in a shop house at BDA Shahida.
“Now I’m stuck, thinking about where to take shelter with six children under my care. The property owner has given me notice to move out no later than this Saturday.”
Living with Siti are Abdullah Fahim (17), Ainul Husna (16), Mohammad Aiman (14), Hilayrie Gantie (11), Mohamed Fauzi (6) and Zulkiflie Zainie (5).
Her eldest, Johnny August (19), is living with his grandmother in the village.
“I do not know whether my children will be able to attend school next year. I now have problems to get their schooling items and it is difficult, even to pay for shelter and food,” she lamented.
“If the children return to the village, my mother will face difficulties. So, I do not know how to overcome my problem, but hope for assistance from the public or the relevant authorities who are willing to help.
“If there is no other way, maybe I’ll find shelter in a mosque or surau, or even a five-foot way here. I am also thinking of other ways to apply for temporary shelter in schools.”
Siti said she has applied to the Welfare Department for aid of RM450 for November and December.
“I have not received it and was told that there’s no longer any provision this year.”
She said her children have been receiving help from the teachers and school where she works.
However, she said, “I do not want to trouble them by getting ongoing support because we are burdening them.”
She also did not want to burden her relatives in Lawas and Sarikei.
“After all, they already have their own families and they are not rich. It may also be difficult to mix with them because I am a Muslim now,” she explained.
Siti, who suffers from high blood pressure, said she cannot afford to take any day off as RM20 will be deducted from her salary for each day missed.
“I need to pay for transport to and from work, and milk for the children who are still little.
“I really don’t know whether I can send them to school next year seeing the situation I am facing now,” she added.
Siti hopes some kind soul will help her find a solution.
She can be contacted on 014-5955430 or SK Kampung Baru, where she works from 6.30am to 5pm.