MUM RECALLS SON WHO DIED DURING RAMADAN
Chicken chop seller’s son died of cancer in 2018
TO most people, Ramadan is a time for celebration and reflection. But for single mother-of-three Siti Farah Adlein Ab Hadi, the holy month is also a reminder of a time when she lost her eldest son to Stage Four T-cell lymphoma cancer in 2018.
“I was shocked. I didn’t know what to do (when my son was diagnosed with cancer). I stopped working as a food vendor and relied on my savings to pay for his hospital bills and other needs.
“I had to rely on other people’s charity to get by as well,” said Farah, 39.
Although she’s from Kuala Terengganu, Farah runs a small business selling chicken chops in the Klang Valley.
Farah, whose household falls under the bottom 40 per cent (B40) income group, worked hard to commute between their home in Kuala Lumpur and a hospital in her hometown for treatment.
And on the day her son was supposed to be discharged from the hospital, Farah received a call that he had died. It was on the 10th day of Ramadan.
She remained in Kuala Terengganu to grieve with her family for a while, before deciding to return to Kuala Lumpur in January to resume her business.
After being away for more than a year, she discovered electricity and water bills piled up at her home. But she took the setback in her stride.
“I refused to give up so. I had two kids to take care of. I want to build my business and be successful one day,” she said.
She is still working hard to pay off the outstanding sums on the bills.
With the Movement Control Order (MCO), Farah is optimistic about her situation and business.
“It’s not easy sustaining a small business like mine in these trying times. There are limitations when it comes to selling our products as there are no Ramadan bazaars this year.
“So I am relying mostly on my runners or delivery riders to send food to my customers.”
One of the challenges she faced in managing her business was dealing with the high delivery cost.
“Some of my customers cancelled their order because of the high delivery fee. But I have no other option.
“At the same time, I am thankful for those who have supported me.”
In 2015, she was diagnosed with a stomach ulcer and had to quit her job as a quantity surveyor and internal auditor at a supermarket.
It was also around that time when her
friends decided to go into the food business, selling nasi ayam kunyit, cakes and Western food at a food bazaar.
The business did not take off and they had no choice but to close down.
“It was one of the lowest points in my life. I felt that the world was closing in on me. I had my kids and parents to think about.”
To make matter worse, her stall was destroyed in an incident and her cooking utensils were stolen.
“I get depressed thinking about all the financial issues. I feel embarrassed and lost.
“But thankfully, my business partner has helped me get through the hard times.”
In 2017, one of her friends alerted her to a programme that helps single mothers from the B40 group.
She signed up for the programme and the rest is history.
“I am very thankful for each opportunity that comes my way. It’s true that when Allah closes one door, He opens another one for you. The experience taught me never to give up, no matter what.”
For now, she is praying for the Covid-19 pandemic and the MCO to end soon so that she can be with her family again.
“I miss my boys very much. They’re staying with my parents in Kuala Terengganu. We keep in touch through WhatsApp and video calls.”