JOHOR BARU: The coming festival of lights has given hope to a family that has been labouring in darkness.
The family of Nagammal Arumugam whose plight was highlighted by the NST on Sept 3, yesterday received three visits from non-governmental organisations (NGO) to ease her difficulties ahead of Deepavali.
The Social Hero Foundation (SHF), Johor Royal Lodge (JRL) and Rotary Club of Puteri Lagoon (RCPL) came to the family's aid.
SHF presented Nagammal's Form 3 daughter with a new laptop. Her schooling has been adversely affected by the absence of this amenity necessary for online studies.
JRL brought groceries and handed the family RM400 in cash while RCPL gave Nagammal a cheque for RM500 to be used for Deepavali expenditure.
SHF board of trustees' member Thanam Visvanathan, who presented the laptop, said the foundation wanted to assist Nagammal's daughter with her online studies.
Thanam said at least Nagammal's daughter could use the laptop for her studies at a nearby restaurant or cafe during the day.
"We felt the studious girl should not be deprived of her of studies at least," said Thanam.
"We are happy to lend a helping hand to reduce the burden of the family," she said.
Nagammal's plight was highlighted by the NST on how she and her two children have been living in darkness over the past three years as they were not able to pay their electricity bill.
Nagammal said the aid she received will enable her to take up full-time work as a dish washer.
"At least now I can work full time in a restaurant and earn at least RM1,500 a month," said Nagammal.
With that income, she can put aside some money to clear her overdue utility bills.
The family has been living in a three-room flat in the suburban area of Larkin Idaman.
Nagammal, 43, and her two children, aged 15 and 10, have had to live without power supply since a cumulative electric bill of RM4,000 was not cleared.
Besides the electricity charges, Nagammal owes Syarikat Air Johor a sum of RM3,735.71, which has been outstanding over the last five years.
She also owes RM18,139.65 in management fees for the medium-cost apartment where the family lives.
JRL chairman Gerard Sankar presented the family with groceries and cash aid that will come in handy this Deepavali.
"The family's poverty is heart wrenching," he said.
He hoped with the cash aid, Nagammal will get her children new clothes for the festive season.
RCPL president Lim Chin Leong hoped the RM500 cash would bring some peace of mind to the family during Deepavali.
"At least she will not have the anxiety about how to celebrate Deepavali with her family," Lim said.
