Good-bye to life under the umbrellas as elderly couple find new home

Six months ago, Zaleha Haron and her husband were living on the streets of Kuala Lumpur after being thrown out of the house by their own son.

Last week, they were harassed by officers from the Social Welfare Department (JKM) who took them to a bus terminal and threatened to send them to Johor.

Today, though, they have a roof over their heads in the form of a rented room near the vicinity of the Kota Raya complex in the capital city.

Their move from the streets was made possible by JKM, which stepped up its efforts following news of the officers who tried to evict them from the only home the elderly couple had left.

Now, they begin each day in the room instead of under leaky umbrellas, thanks to Yayasan Kebajikan Negara and the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

They have also received essentials and some cash with which to rebuild their lives.

“I cannot tell you how grateful I am to everyone who has helped us,” Zaleha told MalaysiaNow, fighting back tears.

“For so long we were on the pavement. Today, we are in a room where we can rest, shower and pray. Thank you, Allah.”

To receive kindness from others was almost unreal to the couple, who had spent the last six months fending for themselves.

But Zaleha is determined not to continue depending on the goodwill of strangers in order to get by.

Although she is no longer young, she believes she still has what it takes to earn enough to support herself and her husband, who suffers from depression.

The rented room is close enough for her to continue her work as a dishwasher at a nearby restaurant.

“I want to keep working so that I can collect enough money for food and some savings,” she said.

Still, a number of agencies have come forward seeking monthly support for Zaleha and her husband.

And JKM, which became the target of many following news of how its officers had treated the couple, has set up a special team to investigate the incident.

Meanwhile, MalaysiaNow has been inundated with calls and emails from people who, touched by the simple story of an elderly couple struggling to get by, wish to lend a helping hand as well.

But while Zaleha’s story might have closed its chapter on hardship and homelessness, countless others continue to face the harsh realities of urban poverty.

These are the stories that MalaysiaNow will be telling in the weeks to come.