MELAKA, Jan 13 — More than five months of living in a dilapidated hut deep in a farm, the plight of a single mother and her two children caught the attention of the state government which took swift action by relocating them to a more comfortable home.

Syurnida Juliati Mohd Shah, 46, said she was desperate for a roof over her head when she lost her income during the movement restrictions and was not able to pay the monthly house rent of RM400.

She said as a mother, she was not willing to let her children live in poverty and even had to hand over her 12-year-old youngest child to be taken care by her uncle in Triang, Pahang.

“We have to soldier on with our lives, “ she said when met in Kampung Bukit Rambai here, today.

She said she did not expect her eldest son who helped flood victims in Krubong with Rakan Muda volunteers recently would bring about a better life for her family.

Syurnida said after a group of Rakan Muda volunteers visited their hut to deliver aid, her story went viral on social media since yesterday.

She said living in the hut, they were also exposed to the threat of poisonous animals such as pythons, lizards and others.

“We are grateful and thankful to all the parties who cared and helped us get a better temporary shelter to live in.

“It’s more comfortable and safe and it gives me the courage to change the fate of our family for the better,” she said.

Meanwhile, Melaka Chief Minister Community Affairs Department secretary Muhammad Ayyad Abdullah said the family was moved to a transit house at Pangsapuri Pokok Mangga without having to pay rent.

He added Surnida’s two children would also be given educational assistance apart from assistance from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) and the Melaka Islamic Religious Council (MAIM).

Source: BERNAMA News Agency