KUALA LUMPUR: A family of seven, including five children aged between three and 11, has been living on the streets in various locations for the past three weeks.
The family was also reported to have stayed at their relatives' house before seeking shelter on the five-foot way.
The family's plight was shared by the Hulu Langat district distribution operation team of the Selangor Zakat board, which has been conducting surveys and operations to track down the family around Bandar Baru Bangi in Selangor recently.
On the second day of fasting, the family was reportedly seen wandering around Bandar Baru Bangi.
Many who came across the family could only afford to offer a ringgit or two for them to buy some food and water to break fast.
"It's unimaginable—almost three weeks of living on the move with small children in tow. If there are enough public donations, we can put the family in a budget hotel until we sort things out," wrote the Selangor Zakat Board on Facebook.
The post added that a team led by the chief of Hulu Selangor district distribution operations immediately tracked down the family upon receiving a report.
"We were deeply moved by the family's plight. They seemed exhausted, especially the young children that they brought along," the post said, adding that emergency assistance and temporary accommodation had been arranged for the family.
The Board had also registered the family as temporary beneficiaries with the hope of alleviating their problems.
It also provided some cash donations for food and drinks. The family is currently living in a homestay for two days while arrangements are being made to find a rental house for them.
"Some sympathetic homeowners allowed them to move into the rental housing immediately without requiring a deposit," it said.
The post added that the team conducted an internal investigation after considering the basic needs or priorities of the family.
The Selangor Zakat Board is committed to assisting not only wanderers but also local residents in need.
With the assistance provided, the Board hopes that it will create broader opportunities for this family to improve their standard of living.
Meanwhile, the mother of the five children, who was met by the team, shared the hardships they had to endure, especially in finding suitable accommodation for her children.
"All I think about as a mother is my children and their comfort," she said.
