But everything changed in March 2022, when he suffered a stroke that left him unable to speak, read, write, or remember things the way he once could.
With Mohanram no longer able to work, his family has been left without a source of income. His wife, 49-year-old Ananti David, and their four children – aged between 12 and 23 – have been struggling to get by.
Although they managed for a while with support from kind-hearted individuals, that help has now dried up. The family is on the brink of being evicted, and they are unable to afford education fees, or even their next meal.
One of their main supporters, Ravindran Raman Kutty, has been helping them financially for the past four months. Through crowdfunding, he was able to raise RM8,173, which is being used to cover house rental, school expenses, and allowances.
At their home on Old Klang Road, where the family has lived for the past 16 years, the situation is bleak. During FMT Lifestyle’s visit, the fridge was completely empty, and it was clear they would not be able to sustain themselves for much longer.
“It’s so difficult for me to even explain how bad our situation is. My family eats just one meal a day, if we are given money. Otherwise my kids survive on biscuits and fill their stomachs by drinking water,” Ananti said, holding back tears.
She is now the full-time caregiver for her husband while looking after her younger children, which leaves her unable to work. A family friend supported them for close to two years, but had to stop upon retirement.
When Mohanram first fell ill, their oldest son – then aged 21 – started working at a paint company after completing his STPM. But the job took a toll on him: it was highly stressful; he was overworked, mistreated, and exposed to harmful chemicals with potential cancer risks.
After 11 months, he resigned. “Since then my son has kept looking for jobs but hasn’t been able to secure anything,” Ananti said.
The eldest son shared that, given the chance to continue studying while working part-time, he is confident in being able to secure a good job to support his family in the long term.
Onus on education
Thanks to Ravindran’s crowdfunding efforts, the second son is now in his second year of architecture studies at Ungku Omar Polytechnic. But even that comes with hardship.
“My son goes for days at university without eating because his allowance is only enough to print and buy materials for assignments,” Ananti shared.
“He has even told me how he knocks on students’ dorm-room doors in the middle of the night, asking to borrow a laptop so he can complete his work.”
Meanwhile, the third son has just completed his SPM, and his future hangs in the balance. The youngest, a Form 1 student, shyly shared her dream of becoming a doctor.
Ravindran has highlighted the family’s plight to Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia, who has stepped in to help by providing essentials in the short term.
As for their greater needs, the NGO aims to raise RM190,000 to cover the family for the next 3-4 years, until the children are able to stand on their own feet.
“All these years, even after my husband had the stroke, we never openly asked for money. But I don’t know any other way now,” Ananti added.
“My one wish is for all my children to be educated, no matter how hard it gets.”
The breakdown of the family’s estimated needs is as follows (RM190,000):
- Education fees for 2nd son (polytechnic student) – RM20,000 to complete diploma
- Education fees for 3rd son (SPM graduate) – RM30,000 for A-levels or technical (TVET) studies
- Youngest daughter – RM10,000 to support her until Form 5
- House rental – RM55,000 (3 years)
- Medical expenses for Mohanram – RM30,000
- Household sundries – RM15,000 (up to 4 years)
- Utilities – RM15,000 (up to 4 years)
- Miscellaneous expenses – RM15,000 (up to 4 years)
If you wish to help, kindly bank your donation to Suriana Welfare Society Malaysia’s Maybank account 5123 6150 5370, or contact them at 1300 88 2200 / 012-211 4444.