The Difficult Path to a Brighter Future for Jocelyn and Her Family
For most people, Deepavali is a time of great festivity and cheer. For 27-year-old Jocelyn Dewi and her family, however, the Festival of Lights is looking a little bit dimmer this year.
A Sole Breadwinner’s Struggle
Jocelyn is the sole breadwinner for her three siblings, 18-year-old Anandasai Sumetta, 16-year-old Ananda Krishna, and 14-year-old Andrew Metta. Sadly, she has been having difficulty making ends meet for her family over the past few months.
"For Deepavali this year, I’m just going to do some prayers for my father. We don’t have the budget for anything bigger. I asked my sister and siblings if they want to go shopping, but they don’t want to," Jocelyn told FMT Lifestyle.
"A little bit of struggle is a normal part of life, but for us, it’s a bit more complicated. But this is all we can do in the present situation. We just have to make do with what we have."
Caring for Her Family
Jocelyn has been working tirelessly to support her siblings since her father passed away, and her mother left them several years ago. In 2021, she started Jo’s Kitchen, a home-based business where she cooks local dishes, particularly Indian fare, for customers.
Food preparation is tiring work, with Jocelyn usually having to make 200-300 packets of food every night. While her siblings occasionally help, Jocelyn prefers them to devote time to their studies instead.
Challenges and Uncertainties
Business has sadly not been consistent lately: Jocelyn usually makes about RM50-80 daily, depending on customers. This is barely enough to cover her needs as well as that of her siblings. To make matters worse, her youngest brother Andrew is on the autism spectrum and unable to care for himself.
Jocelyn’s birth certificate states "bukan warganegara" (non-citizen), which makes it difficult for her to find stable employment. She is also unable to open a bank account or apply for any financial assistance.
A Family’s Desperate Plea for Help
Despite all these challenges, Jocelyn is fiercely devoted to her siblings, and will do all she can to give them a better life.
"I don’t really need anything for myself now. But I want my siblings not to go through what I went through," an emotional Jocelyn said.
Right now, her main goal is to support her sister Anandasai through Form 6, who needs over RM2,000 to cover expenses such as transportation, assignment and printing fees, and books. Anandasai dreams of becoming a lawyer.
A Simple Wish for a Brighter Future
Jocelyn and Anandasai’s Deepavali wishes this year are very simple: that they will get through these difficult times together as a family.
"I hope Deepavali this year will bring happiness to my family members: me, my brothers and my sister," Anandasai said.
"My hopes and wishes are just for my siblings. It’s hard for me to say, but if there’s anyone who can help me support my siblings in their education and expenses, it will be very helpful and release my burdens a bit.
"This is what I really want: I just want them to achieve success in life," Jocelyn concluded.
Call to Action
To help Jocelyn and her family, contact her at 016-201 0261.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation like for Jocelyn and her family?
A: Jocelyn is struggling to make ends meet and support her three siblings, and her family is facing financial difficulties.
Q: How does Jocelyn’s situation affect her family?
A: Jocelyn’s efforts to support her family are strained, and her siblings’ well-being is at risk.
Q: What is the root cause of Jocelyn’s difficulties?
A: Jocelyn’s lack of a Malaysian identity card and her family’s financial instability are major challenges.
Q: How can we help Jocelyn and her family?
A: By providing financial support or assistance, we can help Jocelyn and her family overcome their difficulties and achieve a brighter future.