KANGAR – Covid-19 does not just bring economic and healthcare concerns as well as scalp lives, but can also cause mental anguish.
Lee Yen Nee, 33, of Kuala Sanglang was suspected of experiencing depression after neighbours noticed that her home had slowly turned into a pig sty.
Visitors to her home were horrified to see her residence smeared with faeces and her children filthy as the pandemic rampaged.
The unsanitary conditions prompted the headmistress of SJKC Chin Hun, where the children attended school, to seek help from Indera Kayangan assemblyperson Gan Ay Ling.
During a visit to the house, Gan’s face mask served a double purpose - protect her not only from Covid-19 but from the pungent smell emanating from the home as well.
The house had no water supply and whatever water she had was tapped from a neighbour’s pipeline.
The toilet bowl was stained with hardened faeces as it was not washed down properly with enough water.
They did not wash their clothes, reusing whatever was on their backs.
Kitchen utensils and plates were never cleaned after meals and just left as it is.
An array of toys, clothes and appliances were strewn on the floor.
The landlord knew there was no water supply in the home but he could care less because he thinks he has done enough charity work by renting it out at such a low price.
The headmistress reported that the children rarely bathed and she would request that Lee’s son bathe in school before he goes back home.
Lee’s daughter would also shower, cleaning up before she enters class every day.
After numerous failed attempts to get help from the Social Welfare Department (JKM), Gan decided to speak to the mother about moving the children out to an environment where the children can learn basic hygiene and learn to be independent.
The mother agreed, saying that it will be good for her children.
Gan then contacted Pusat Jagaan Pertubuhan Kebajikan dan Amal Rumah Teduh Perlis, which is operated by Muslim operators and asked if they are willing to accept the two children even though they could not speak Malay.
With the help of the children who have also taken shelter from Rumah Teduh, a major gotong-royong was then held at Lee’s home.
A lot of junk was thrown away and several household items were cleaned and put back to its original position.
The two children started their stay at the orphanage last Friday, and after daily visits by Gan, she found they were adapting well to their new environment.
Gan also said that it is during a pandemic that families start to experience mental anguish and some reacted in extremes such as in the case of this family.
The Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) had on Monday expressed their concerns on the pandemic’s impact on people’s mental health.
Statistics by the police showed that 266 people committed suicide between March 18 and October 30 this year, almost equal to actual deaths scalped by Covid-19.
CAP stated that suicide cases were attributed to rising household debt, family issues and domestic disputes.
They have urged the government to look at more effective ways to respond to the situation.
Those who are living under the poverty line are more financially challenged now, more than ever.
The Penang Hindu Association recently reported that there were 33 people crammed in a premise with only one bathroom and a toilet in Western Road, Penang.
Despite being surrounded by homes of multi-millionaires, S. Paner Selvam, 38, is currently living in a RM300 a month rented room with his unemployed wife and three children aged four, two years and nine months respectively.
The cramped home is currently under quarantine as some of the tenants contracted Covid-19.
It worsened Paner’s situation as he was unable to go to work and had to forego his monthly salary as a security guard at the Penang General Hospital.
PHA had donated daily provisions including milk powder, Milo, biscuits, and other essentials to the family to help them tide over the rough times. – The Vibes, December 9, 2020.
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