Orphaned siblings carry on for baby brother

Family of seven strive to stay together after mother’s death

KUALA NERUS: The daily routine of this 15-year-old starts as early as 5.30am with numerous household chores and helping to care for her youngest sibling, who is still a toddler, before going to school.

Since her mother’s death last year, Syahwanie Azliya Sahidi and her siblings have tried to take care of themselves and also to be a “mother” to 11-month-old Syah Amsyar Mohammad.

The rest of the siblings are Syahil Azem, 19; twins Syahwanie Azwa and Syahwanie Azwin,16; Syahil Azer, 14; and Syahwanie Azrinie, 10.

‘’We have our own duties. My elder brother (Syahil Azem) will send and fetch us from school, my elder sisters will cook and I will clean up the house.

“We also take turns looking after Syah Amsyar,’’ she told reporters after receiving a visit by members of the Terengganu Journalist Club (TJC) at their house in Kampung Bukit Cempaka, Batu Rakit, here yesterday.

Norhayatie Alias died two months after giving birth to Syah Amsyar. The toddler is born from the marriage of their late mother to their stepfather, Mohammad Mohd Nor, 53.

Syahwanie Azliya’s father Sahidi Abdullah died in 2010 due to high blood pressure.

Currently, the seven siblings were staying at a house rented by Mohammad and they also receive a monthly RM450 aid from the Social Welfare Department.

Syahil Azem was forced to forget his ambition to further his studies to take care of his younger siblings.

‘’My elder brother (Syahil Azem) works at the Sixth Mile Ramadan Bazaar during the fasting month for RM700, and at a food outlet during other months at RM600 a month.

‘’Our stepfather will come home three or four times a week. He is self-employed in Setiu.

“He also gives us money for upkeep and for Syah Amsyar’s caregiver,’’ said Syahwanie Azliya, who was thankful for their stepfather’s concern.

Asked about the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration, Syahwanie Azliya said their school teachers and aunts had bought new clothes for them but other preparations had not been made yet.

The siblings are united in their intention to care for Syah Amsyar themselves, despite an offer by an individual to lighten their load by adopting the toddler.

“Regardless of what will happen, let us face difficulties and happiness together,’’ she said.

Syahwanie Azliya thanked everyone, including teachers at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tengku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who helped them.

During the visit, TJC, represented by its deputy president Ahmad Syafri Husnaini Mohamad, handed over essential items and cash to the siblings. — Bernama