Another bleak Deepavali for single mum and her two kids
GEORGE TOWN: It will be another year of bleak Deepavali for a single mother and her two children who have been living on RM200 aid a month from the Social Welfare Department.
K. Sri Priya Darshini, 32, said they had not celebrated the festival over the past two years as she was always short of money.
“It’s even difficult to manage my monthly expenses. I used to work as a school security guard and then at a supermarket but I have diabetes and acute kidney issues which has made it impossible for me to work as I cannot stand for too long.
“I also have severe knee pain from a fall when I was younger which makes it hard for me to stand after sitting down for too long.
“I make do with the money from the welfare department which my children receive because they are slow learners, and I have to resort to borrowing money from friends and family.
“Some days we do not have enough to eat,” she said when met at a flat owned by a relative near the Rifle Range flats in Ayer Itam on Wednesday.
Sri Priya, has two children, R. Parvina, 13, and R. Vikneshwaran, 12. She is separated from her husband, who is in jail for a drug offence.
“I am living with my children and my 65-year-old mother who is wheelchair bound after falling down and breaking her leg last year.
“As a mother what I want most is to see my children study and become professionals.
“I did not study and only managed to do part-time jobs. I want them to become something in life,” she said.
Earlier, the headmistress of Parvina’s school visited the family to check on her pupil’s home situation and gave them some food items.
Penang Hindu Association (PHA) deputy president P. Murugiah, who was present, gave RM200 to the family.
“We will also look into helping them celebrate Deepavali.
“We know of well wishers who would like to help the family as well,” he said.
Those wanting to help the family can contact PHA assistant treasurer S. Chandrasekaran ( 0164390615).