KULIM – Social activist S. Neelamekan has called on grandmother M. Selvamalar to place her 13 grandchildren at a children’s home to ensure that their future can be properly secured.
A children’s home, he said, will ensure that the children’s education, welfare, and food will be provided, in addition to an environment conducive to improving their well-being.
“The grandchildren will soon be entering their adolescence, where they will have to face new challenges.
“Their present house and environment will not help them to come out from the slump mentality.
“The grandmother in her earlier interview said that she will return to her husband’s job of collecting recycled items.
“This does not augur well with the children’s future, as earnings from recycled items can only sustain so much,” he said.
Neelamekan, who is also Lunas DAP chief and has provided more than 2,000 meals and food aid to those who have hoisted the white flags in recent times, said it would not be wise to neglect or ignore the family.
What is most important is finding a permanent solution that would benefit the children.”
On July 14, The Vibes highlighted the plight of 51-year-old Selvamalar after she had raised the white flag seeking help to feed her grandchildren.
Many individuals and NGOs had offered help via food aid and cash for the family to overcome the current situation.
‘She has to think about their future’
Social activist and Penang Hindu Association president P. Murugiah also expressed his concern for the children as he is well aware of similar situations involving other families since taking up the social cause for the last 40 years.
“I have seen children from neglected families slip into drug (use) and immoral activities, and I have also watched children from such families manage to grow up with discipline and seek higher education.
“Education is the vehicle to achieve success in life.
“I heard the grandmother is not keen to send the children to a children’s home.
“But there is no other choice left for her if she thinks more deeply about her grandchildren’s future.
“I am quite aware of the financial burden involved in raising children,” he said.
Murugiah added that NGO representatives and community leaders should help convince the grandmother to place the kids in a children’s home.
Meanwhile, Padang Serai MP M. Karuppiah, having done his part for the family, also agreed that the kids should be sent to a children’s home.
Karuppiah, who had helped to obtain birth certificates for two of the children, is in the process of obtaining birth certificates for two more children.
The grandmother does not want to be separated from her grandchildren, but she is failing to think about the future of 13 children, whereby a permanent solution has to be taken for their benefit.”
The family living in a rented house at Kg Belakang SMK Tunku Panglima, Kelang Lama, here faces eviction after failing to settle RM400 in monthly rent for eight months.
Additionally, electricity and water supply to the house has been disconnected, leaving the children in the dark.
Selvamalar had expressed her worries over possible eviction by the landlord after a mediator failed to make good on a promise to secure rental payments for the family.
She said the mediator, who is negotiating with the owner, has yet to come up with a solution to ensure they can stay in the house.
For now, the family is relying on a mini generator for electricity, for which she spends RM23 for petrol.
“I fear I will be on the streets with my grandchildren if the homeowner forces us out. These are my thoughts whenever I go to sleep and whenever I wake up every morning,” she lamented.
She has been surviving on a monthly aid of RM750 from the Social Welfare Department, RM400 of which goes towards rental for the house.
Her grandchildren, aged between 2 and 17, have been living with her since 2013 following a slew of unfortunate events.
Despite her circumstances, Selvamalar said she is prepared to take over her late husband’s job collecting recyclables. – The Vibes, August 6, 2021
