TEARS of joy could be seen on the faces of two siblings Yumn Nakyeishaa Amir Hamzah, 16, and her younger sister Dahnea Dabryshaa, 14, when both of them can finally return to school after a lapse of four years.
Poverty had earlier forced them to quit school (SJK Aik Keow Telok Air Tawar). Yumn Nakyeishaa was then in Year Six and Dahnea Dabryshaa was in Year Four.
They are now looking forward to returning to school starting next week, with Yumn Nakyeishaa and Dahnea Dabryshaa attending Form Four and Form Two respectively in SMK Kampung Kastam, Butterworth.
Yumn Nakyeishaa expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Bagan Jermal assemblyman Soon Lip Chee for his much-needed help.
“Firstly, I am so happy and excited to go back to school after all these years.
“And I would like to thank YB Soon for doing his best to ensure my younger sister and I can return to school. Only God can repay his deeds.
“On my part, I will do my best to excel in my study. I have a lot to catch up on as I will be sitting for my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination next year.
“I will not waste this opportunity and I am determined to change the fate of my beloved family,” she told reporters when met at her family house in Bagan Jermal today.
Also present were Soon and state Education Department chief assistant director (planning and management sector) Datuk Zulkafli Kamaruddin.
Both Yumn Nakyeishaa and Dahnea Dabryshaa also received their letter of offer from Zulkafli today.
Dahnea Dabryshaa said she was raring to go back to school.
“For the past four years, my elder sister and I have had to study by ourselves through online mediums, such as YouTube and Google. It was difficult but that was the best we could do.
“At the same time, I was also sad, disappointed and a bit jealous when I see my other friends able to continue with their studies.
“But now, I am very happy that finally we can return to school,” she said.
The girls’ mother, known only as Lisa, 54, has been confined to a wheelchair for the past year after one of her legs was amputated due to complications from diabetes.
Meanwhile, their father died in August last year due to Covid-19.
Lisa said her late husband used to work as a tour guide.
“Unfortunately, he lost his job due to the Covid-19 situation. But he never gave up.
“He took on various jobs to support the family. But because of his meagre earnings, we were forced to stop our daughters from going to school.
“Then came the darkest moment for our family when my husband passed away and my leg was amputated. We had to sell almost everything, our car and other belongings, to sustain our life,” she said in between tears.
Lisa also thanked Soon for helping her two daughters to return to school.
Soon said on July 24, he visited the family and got to know that going back to school was the two girls’ biggest wish.
“Thus, I contacted the state Education Department. This was followed by submitting their applications to resume schooling.
“And today, I’m here together with Zulkafli to hand over their letter of offer to return to school!
“It is my sincere wish to see the two girls succeed in life. May everything go well and smooth for them,” he said.
Soon said Lisa’s family now receives monthly RM300 aid from the state Welfare Department.
“For now, she and her daughters are selling homemade souvenirs online but sales have not been good.
“So, I will try my best to help her to get a job now to support her family.
“After all, it is my responsibility as an elected representative here,” said Soon, who is also the state Youth and Sports Committee chairman.
Soon said if any well-wishers wanted to help the family, they can get in touch with his service centre.
Soon also presented the girls with cash assistance, new school uniforms, bags, shoes and other items to help them start the new school session.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar