Single mother seeks support amid financial struggles

KUCHING: A single mother recently requested support for herself and her children due to her juggling between raising them and becoming the sole income provider.

The mother, Masitah Aran, 36, works as a private courier, or commonly known as a “runner”.

Charity organisation Hope Place said that her job does not provide a stable income, as her earnings depends on how many customers she received, and her children ages nine and 15 are both doing well in school.

“Masitah used to own a ‘nasi briyani’ business and started during the (pandemic) movement control back in 2020, she would prepare and cook these packed rice dish and deliver directly to all her customers.

“For nearly two years, her business was booming. However, everything started to change in 2022, as her children started to go back to school and restaurants reopened, her business began to dwindle,” Hope Place said in a statement.

Hope Place added that with her business slowing down and her children in school, Masitah struggled to keep her business running.

“She also stated how blessed she was back in 2022, when her friend gave her an old, small car to use.

“It is with this car that she now uses to run her courier service. However, the old car is prone to overheating and she has spent a lot for petrol as well as maintenance.

“At the same time, the little car is vital for her work and bringing her children to school,” Hope Place added.

Hope Place said that Masitah dreams to reopen her ‘briyani’ business again some day, but for now, she finds it very hard to save, let alone find sufficient funds for a business.

“We are now supporting this family with continuous food aid and also some school supplies for the children,” the NGO added.

For more information, Hope Place can be reached at 082-505987 or 013-5672775.

All donations are welcome and receipts will be given upon request.