PASIR MAS: Abdul Ghani Che Omar’s 13 children aged 2 to 19 never complained about not getting new clothes or food for Hari Raya.
The former odd-job worker said the children, even the smaller ones, understood the poverty of the family and never asked for anything.
“However, we never failed to buy them new clothes although most of the time they are the cheapest ones available.
“This year we will probably buy them at the last minute as money is tight as we have just started a business making meat floss (serunding daging),” said the 48-year-old at his house in Kampung Cherang Tok Rong.
His wife Azimah Musa said they normally did not prepare special food for Hari Raya but instead visited their relatives’ homes.
Ghani said the worst period for them was last year, when he had diabetes and was hospitalised several times.
He said Azimah was forced to work with a meat floss producer near their house earning RM500 a month.
“It was tough as we owed money to many people.
“When I recovered and with help from certain individuals and the Kelantan Islamic Council, which donated RM2,000, we started a business.
“However, the meat floss business is capital intensive and we need more funds to expand. We don’t have the means at the moment,” he said.
The couple has eight boys and five girls, including a set of twins.
Eleven of them are studying, including eldest Nor Naizatul Akma, who is at Politeknik Sultan Sallahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah in Shah Alam.
