GEORGE TOWN – After losing his steady income as a canteen food operator due to the pandemic, Ong Heng Phang, 37, knew he had to find another way to generate income.
However, after two weeks' respite from income woes, his four-year-old was diagnosed with leukaemia. He then found that his two-year-old has a hearing disability.
After working hard and putting away money for 10 years, his savings have diminished. He has had to rely on borrowing money from his relatives to get by.
“I was a canteen food seller in two schools when the pandemic happened. When the prime minister called for a lockdown of two weeks in March, I never thought it would go on and on.
“I've only managed to get permission to enter school in June to check my storeroom and refrigerator. If I had known it would continue for so long, I would have returned the goods to my supplier. I threw a lot of things away, and whatever I could salvage, I brought back home,” he told The Vibes.
He lost approximately RM10,000 from the closure. When he could not wait any longer, he sat down to draw up a plan to either got a spot at a food court or do food delivery. After making the necessary calculations, he settled for the latter.
“It is very different – selling food to the public and selling food to students. I don’t have to wait for my customers because I know they will come at the ring of the school bell. Within 10 to 15 minutes, the food I prepared would be sold out, and hence, there is no wastage.
“Now I wait for customers, and it is pretty difficult to estimate what the customers will order,” he said. He started his bento lunch delivery in mid-July and a few days after, schools reopened – but his problems were just beginning.
“I noticed something odd about my son’s upper abdomen area, it looked a little bloated. His cheeks were also pale – I decided to take him for a check-up.
“When the blood test results came, the doctor told me that it is likely to be leukaemia. My son was immediately transferred to the Penang General Hospital for treatment.
“During that time, schools were open to Standard 5 and 6 students – everything seemed to be happening at the same time.
“I was confused, and I could not accept that this was happening to my son. None of my family members nor my wife’s relatives were ever diagnosed with leukaemia. I kept asking the doctor why this is happening to my son."
He took three months off from work to care for his son. During that period, he had zero earnings – his immediate family and aged mom relying solely on his savings.
“Once my savings dried up, I took loans from my close family members, but I knew I could not continue doing this.
“The doctor told us we had to be strong for the sake of our son as it was going to be a long battle, although the recovery rate is at 90%.
“Therefore, I just had to do what any parent would do. Just be strong and to keep on going.”
It has been almost half a year since schools have remained closed. He had to let go of being a canteen food provider in one of the schools as he pushed through delivering food to customers around Penang island.
His monthly bills amounted to RM10,000 a month, covering his home and car loan, utilities and special dietary needs of his cancer-stricken son. But that was not the final blow.
A few months ago, he found out that his youngest son has a hearing disability on one ear and would need a hearing aid.
“A hearing aid costs RM3,000 to RM3,500 depending on the brand. I told the doctor I cannot afford it, and he let me borrow it for my son.
“If I still had my job and full income, I would be able to cover everything. I could care for my wife, who is a full-time mother to my three children and takes care of my mother,” he said. Right now, he hopes that his bento lunch box business will run smoothly so he can cover his monthly expenses.
“I have learnt that we can’t expect anything or control our future, we just need to appreciate what we have and our family.
“They are the ones who give me the courage to fight on and work for the future of my family.
“I only want my sons to be healthy,” he said. – The Vibes, July 27, 2021
