Update on Yati & her kids

I finally got to meet Yati yesterday. I wasn't around when her husband passed away on Christmas day, and after that I had some other things to settle so I never got to visit her. Besides, I wasn't sure if she was back in Ipoh. Her late husband's body was brought back to his family's kampong and I wasn't sure when she'd be back.

Yati sent me a text message on Monday asking if her kids were still entitled to our Children Education Fund (CEF) now that AJ is no longer around. Although their schooling needs like uniforms, shoes, etc had already been covered when I brought them shopping last month, there were still a lot of other things they need to pay now that school has reopened. Fees, workbooks, etc would come up to RM100 each.

I told her that since her children has already been approved for CEF for this year, we'd still cover for the fees.

Anyway, when I met Yati yesterday morning, she told me while the children are coping quite well without their father, the younger one is beginning to miss him. Rules for visiting patients at Ipoh GH is stricter than before - not only have the visiting hours been shortened, only 2 are allowed to visit a patient at the same time and children are not allowed at all. So, ever since AJ was warded since early December, the children had not been able to see him. And AJ was never discharged until his last breath, so all the children got to see was only his body, complete in kain kafan and all. Sad...

When I saw Yati yesterday, I asked if she had started off her small business of selling drinks. Earlier on she was too occupied taking care of her husband, she couldn't really start anything. Now that her husband is no longer around, she should be able to start something. She's actually just waiting to settle her children's schooling needs before starting off her business.

Just then, an offer came from a friend for a job as a cook at a nearby boarding school. Now Yati's unsure again. Should she proceed with her small business or should she accept the job as a cook? if she's looking for something safe, then maybe the job as the cook would be great. There is at least a fixed income every month, and Yati will also be entitled to EPF and SOCSO. She's seriously considering this second option now although she has not made a final decision.

Her only problem now is to settle her children's transportation to school. For the moment she sends and fetches them to/from school. If she can settle that part, chances are she'll accept the job as the cook.