Best Raya gift for girl who lost family in car crash
JOHOR BARU: A girl who lost her family in a fatal car accident less than a year ago was given the best Raya gift she could ever ask for – an opportunity to further her studies all the way up to university.
A generous donor has pledged to cover the education cost for nineyear-old Nur Hafizah, who is now living with her grandmother Simpoh Sabarak, 70.
Nur Hafizah’s mother Rosidah Hashim, 46, stepfather Sher Zaman Khan, 35, and stepbrother Abdillah Nila, 17, died in a car crash last August.
Simpoh, who is recovering from a stroke and has high blood pressure, earns about RM175 a month from the rental of her house in Kampung Permatang, Kempas.
“With this amount we make do, living day to day, and sometimes our generous neighbours and villagers would help us out with essentials as the money is not enough,” Simpoh said yesterday.
She got in touch with several non-governmental organisations (NGOs) recently when she was looking for a way to get an old television.
“Our television set broke down during the movement control order period and I was looking for people who could donate a used one so that my granddaughter will not be bored at home.
“I asked our village chief, Safiah Mat Annuar, if he could help us get in touch with any NGO that was willing to help,” she said.
Safiah approached Johor Women League president Halizah Mohamed Alip, who then spread the word to other NGOs.
It caught the attention of Yayasan Suria founder James Ho and Ihsan Johor chief executive officer Farrah Faridah Baptist.
Ho decided to go the extra mile and sought out donors to get a new 32-inch television and duit raya for the family of two.
He was also able to find donors who were willing to cover their monthly expenses and even sponsor Hafizah’s education up to university level.
“Many have given money, with one offering to pay for all her education expenses, including fees for a local university when the time comes.
“Hafizah is a clever little girl with a bright future. She has received many excellent student awards from her school,” he said.