Malaysians are rallying together to help an orphanage in Kajang, Selangor after one of its caretakers died of COVID-19.
Photo via Malay Mail
The number of new COVID-19 cases in the country is at a all time high, with the number of deaths also increasing daily… but in true spirit of “Kita Jaga Kita”, one Facebook user, Azaad Mohamed Ummar, organised a fundraiser for Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Ummi Selangor last Sunday (May 16th).
At first, they only wanted to raise RM15,000, enough to buy the children packed food and medicines.
He also asked for other forms of donations such as mineral water, buns and sliced breads that the children can have for breakfast or as snacks.
But Malaysians being Malaysians, the initiative ended up raising a total of RM38,839.89, more than twice the original goal in less than 24 hours!
LATEST UPDATE: Hey everyone, thank you so much for your contributions. Sherry has requested that we stop raising anymore...
Posted by Azaad Mohamed Ummar on Sunday, May 16, 2021
According to the Malay Mail, the orphanage houses 35 children made up of 25 girls and 10 boys who live in separate houses based on their gender.
The orphanage was run by a husband and wife known to the children and their community as Tok Ayah and Ummi.
Tok Ayah and Ummi’s daughter, Syarifah Umaisya, who goes by Sherry, told Malay Mail that both her parents had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus which led to Tok Ayah’s passing on May 7th.
Her mother, Ummi, is still under treatment at the Sungai Buloh Hospital.
The situation actually got worse when some of the children at the orphanage also tested positive for COVID-19, which then led to the fundraising campaign.
However, situations have improved since then and Sherry has managed to segregate the children thanks to the help of a volunteer.
She told reporters, “The situation is well-managed and the girls and boys who tested negative for the virus have been sent to a volunteer’s house. Only the COVID-positive girls are living at the orphanage right now while the COVID-positive boys are at the boys’ hostel.”
“Everybody is in good hands and they’re in a safe place,” she said.
Sherry also clarified that the children were never abandoned after the passing of Tok Ayah, like how some news outlets or portals have claimed.
She added that the children are safe and are getting food three times a day and they also have medicine at the hostels.
Since then, the orphanage has gone viral and caught the attention of Bangi MP Ong Kian Ming, who said that he would visit the home to offer some assistance.
Malaysians, if you want to contribute to Pertubuhan Kebajikan Anak-Anak Yatim Ummi Selangor, you can find out how on their Facebook page!
We’re glad that the children are being taken care of and we hope that Ummi can be reunited with her kids soon!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
