Visual impairment no obstacle to three siblings from pursuing normal lives

ARAU: Visual impairment failed to deter three siblings from living independently by selling handmade crafts and ‘kekabu’ pillows.

The three sisters who have lived in the same house since childhood are Halijah Ibrahim, 80 who is affectionately known as Mak Andak, Che Manai Ibrahim, 74 (Makcik) and Che Zainah Ibrahim, 69 (Maksu). They admit being happy living together, doing all the housework and earning a living.

“Mak Andak does the cooking, Makcik cleans the house and Maksu goes out to sell the handicrafts, that is our daily routine,” Che Zainah, the youngest of the three siblings, told reporters.

They were met after the handing over of donations by Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM) in Kampung Titi Besi here, on Saturday.

Che Zainah said they complement each other’s lives and managed well despite their shortcomings.

She is often assisted by her two sisters Che Halijah and Che Manai to weave the rattan to make various handicraft items such as handbags and food covers, at the same time they help each other in their daily chores.

She said, Halijah would always make sure they have their meals which she has cooked before I go out to sell the handmade crafts at the farmers’ market.

“Halijah loves to cook soup and curry. Our favourite dish is Nyok Nyok fish curry,” she said.

Elaborating further, Che Zainah said her second sister Che Manai helped her to arrange the items to be taken for sale besides always keeping the house clean and orderly.

She said as long as they live and have good health, they will continue to make a living by selling the handicraft items which they have learned to make from childhood.

According to her, they are currently short of rattan supply obtained from Penang following the Movement Control Order (MCO) in the state and hence took the initiative to produce kekabu pillows, the raw material of which is easily available in the villages.

Wovn rattan items are sold at the Farmers’ Markets around Perlis at about RM60 to RM80 while the pillows are sold at RM25 to RM35 depending on the size, she said, adding that they also have their own kiosk in Pauh here to place their handmade crafts.

Meanwhile, Yadim chief executive officer Tuan Kamarul Arief Tuan Soh said under the YADIM Peduli programme they would continue to present contributions to groups in need including asnaf, persons with disabilities (PwD) and others.

“We are targeting 150 asnafs from various groups and we are planning to repair five houses belonging to them in the near future,” he said.

He also expressed his admiration for the tenacity of the three blind siblings who were able to continue living like normal people and hopefully the YADIM Peduli programme can ease their burden.