Hope Place aiding toddler with dysmorphism to ease family’s burden

KUCHING (Dec 30): Hope Place Kuching is providing special milk supplements and disposable diapers to a toddler with medical complications, whose family is struggling to make ends meet.

The non-governmental organisation also presented school supplies to Fahim Fathurrahman Mohammad Sait’s four elder siblings during a recent visit.

Fahim’s mother Sarah Syukriyah Abdul Rahman, 36, had recently reached out to Hope Place requesting for aid for her 21-month-old toddler.

“Little Fahim was diagnosed with dysmorphism. He resides at Taman Serapi Jaya, Matang with his parents and four elder siblings,” it said in a statement.

According to Hope Place, Fahim’s medical report shows that he has an abnormal body structure which could affect his mental development.

Fahim is currently on tube feeding through his stomach.

“He is unable to swallow anything through his mouth. However, little Fahim looks like any ordinary little active baby on the outside,” Hope Place said.

Fahim underwent intestinal surgery in September but it remains uncertain for now whether his condition will improve.

In the statement, Sarah informed that Fahim always suffers shortness of breath.

“If he falls ill, like having a fever or cough, he will need medical attention urgently. After a bath, Fahim’s stomach, where the tube is inserted, needs to be dressed properly,” she said.

Hope Place said that Fahim’s father Mohammad Sait, 40, earns minimum pay working as a courier service driver, while Sarah used to be a sales agent but chose to become a housewife after Fahim was born.

“With four other elder children going to school, coupled with Fahim’s increasing medical bills, the family is feeling the strain financially,” it said.

Fahim received a one-off financial aid from Tabung Baitulmal Sarawak in January this year, and the family has just applied for monthly social welfare aid.

To continue helping more needy individuals and families, Hope Place welcomes donations and will issue receipts upon request.

Donors can deposit directly to its Maybank account 511289001160, or by scanning the S Pay Global QR code on its Facebook page.

For more information, call Hope Place on 082-505987 or 013-5672775.