After her father’s passing and her mother’s subsequent departure, the 27-year old found herself the sole breadwinner for her family. She has three siblings: 18-year-old Anandasai Sumetta, 16-year-old Ananda Krishna, and 14-year-old Andrew Metta, who is on the autism spectrum.
To complicate matters, Jocelyn has no identification card owing to her parents’ late registration of marriage. As such, she has had difficulty finding formal employment, and has largely supported her family by running her own home business, Jo’s Kitchen.
Jocelyn and her siblings had resigned themselves to a dim Deepavali this year – but, after reading her story, many Malaysians have graciously come forward to help her.
Speaking with FMT on Monday, Jocelyn shared that she has been overwhelmed and amazed by all the support, including from those as far away as Japan.
“After the article, so many good souls came to help us. They donated furniture, gave us ang pows. It really made our Deepavali so bright,” she said.
“We were given new clothes and could buy some, too. My siblings were so happy, and we got to know so many kind uncles and aunties.”
For once, her fridge is full of food and her siblings don’t have to go hungry. Instead of sleeping on mattresses on the floor, they now have beds and a sofa, bought by a kind group of aunties led by an “Aunty Pearl”.
On Deepavali eve, Jocelyn and her siblings were visited by the prime minister’s political secretary, Ahmad Farhan Fauzi, and his team, who presented the family with a donation. MIC president SA Vigneswaran also dropped by with Deepavali greetings.
Anandasai said she has used some donation proceeds to pay for her school fees and academic modules. According to her, Aria Singham, managing director of Brickfields Asia College, has reached out to support her legal ambitions, as well as an “Aunty Naomi”.
People have also been in touch to help their younger siblings. One “uncle” has volunteered to sponsor Ananda in football, a sport the lad is passionate about, for six months. Another kind couple are helping Andrew get enrolled in a special-needs school.
Jocelyn further revealed that Farhan’s team is working to help her with her IC. She is hoping and praying for a speedy resolution.
Once things are more settled, she plans to reopen Jo’s Kitchen and expand it. Companies such as Setia Awan have already reached out to her for business.
“Our house is full of happiness now, and there are so many people I can’t thank enough. Once my IC situation is fixed, I will be able to work like a regular person and support my family.
“Thanks to so many people, we really had a wonderful Deepavali this year,” she concluded.