PUTRAJAYA, June 22 — When single mother Ummi Kalthom Ayub was told that someone is giving her daughter Sofea Qaisara, who is suffering from dandy walker syndrome, a special gift for Hari Raya, little did she expect that it will be in be the form of a new apartment unit, let alone to find the country’s top leader waiting to welcome them into their new home.
The 37-year-old woman and her two daughters, five-year-old Sofea Qaisara and seven-year-old Sofea Qalisya, were indeed surprised when they entered their new fully-furnished unit at Putra Damai Apartment in Precinct 11 here today and found Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak waiting for them.
“I don’t know what to say. I don’t expect this at all and was so surprised...this is indeed the best gift for us to receive from the prime minister.
“Thank you. Only Allah can repay all your kindness,” she said while wiping away tears.
The prime minister also extended an invitation for the family to attend his Aidilfitri Open House at Seri Perdana on the first day of Hari Raya and presented the children with Raya clothes and duit Raya (Aidilfitri angpow).
Speaking to reporters, Najib said he first met with Sofea Qaisara when he was distributing donations to persons with disabilities at the Ramadan bazaar here on June 8.
“When I learned about their poor living condition and saw the pictures of their house, I asked my officers to get a new unit for the family.
“I hope this new house will enable them to live their everyday lives more comfortably,” he said.
On June 8, Najib had also instructed the Social Welfare Department to continue giving the monthly allowance of RM300 and annual supply of diapers to Sofea Qaisara.
Ummi Kalthom works as an operation assistant at myFarm Outlet here and earns RM1,000 monthly. She brings her children to her workplace every day as she cannot afford to hire a babysitter. — Bernama
