|
|
Young life twisted by cruel fate
BY NIK IMRAN ABDULLAH - 24 SEPTEMBER 2015 @ 11:01 AM
THERE is a new face in town for responsibility, filial love, diligence, thoughtfulness and industry. It belongs to a 10-year-old girl who responds to Intan Maisarah Zulliazam, a Year Four pupil of SK Fakeh Abdul Rahman in Kuantan, Pahang.
Poverty and a broken home have turned her life upside down, yet, she keeps her head up even though its barely above water. For the past few months after the breakup of her parents’ marriage in May, her life and that of her family have descended into despair.
But what can a child possibly do to reverse this cruel fate? As whatever little money they have in the household is stretched thin, Intan Maisarah has shown others much older than her what maturity is all about. With a heavy sense of responsibility that belies her age, she chose to step up her plate by getting a job meant for adults.
After school every day, she goes to a charcoal kiln near her house to do menial labour. The smudges of charcoal dust on her face and hands are but a mark of the diligence that comes with the territory.
The kiln operator, a kind soul himself, lets her join the other adult workers as he has taken pity on the plight of her family. On school days, Intan Maisarah brings home RM20 for the few hours spent at the kiln, to feed the family of six, including her mother.
Her mother, Lizawati Mustafa, 33, earns RM800 a month as a cleaner at a school but the amount, by today’s standards, will be spread thin even before the month’s end. RM200 goes for their house rental and the remainder is all there is to cover the other needs of the family.
The school holidays, a time for fun for most pupils, is but another day of slogging for young Intan Maisarah. Instead of complaining, she welcomes the term break as she can earn more money by working longer at the kiln.
She says she can earn more than RM50 for the extra hours at the kiln during holidays. Like normal working adults, her work shift starts at 8am and ends at 4pm during school break.
Most children her age are still struggling to process this concept of having to earn a living in their little heads. Conversely, Intan Maisara now has difficulty in understanding the concept of taking a break and indulging in recreation.
The simple pleasure of relaxing and doing nothing is now alien to her. She is going through an accelerated phase to adulthood to make ends meet for her family, long before she is ready or has the maturity to do so.
Her commitment is inspiring to many but her childhood will evaporate with every tiny sweat she breaks while making charcoal. Despite coming from a broken family, there are noble values that her parents must have instilled in their children that makes Intan Maisarah a spectacular example of responsibility.
However, society, and to a larger extent, the bureaucrats, should have had their nose to the ground to ensure that children are not subjected to backbreaking adult work because of poverty.
Their apathy may create an impression that the country approves of child labour, which one sees mainly in very poor countries, despite stringent criticism from rights groups against exploitation of young people.
Malaysia, by its current economic standards, has long climbed out of the depths of poverty. Hence, there is a need to quickly check on situations that can produce cases similar to Intan Maisarah’s plight.
Some help should be given to ensure she lives the life of a normal 10-year-old, whose only worry should be about finishing her schoolwork. Her dedication to provide for her family is a shining example of filial affection but perhaps it is too soon for her to carry such a heavy burden on her tiny shoulders.
May she enjoy a day's break to celebrate Hari Raya Aidiladha like other children and the adult labour force today. The writer is Pahang NST bureau chief
Read More : http://www.nst.com.my/news/2015/09/young-life-twisted-cruel-fate
|
|
Post time 25-9-2015 03:16 AM
变色卡
Author
![[Edisi pungpakkepung] Azri Iskandar dan kekasih baru?](https://uf.cari.com.my/forumx/mforum/block/62/62a9916c86939915da4c31ecede21a19.jpg)
