Single mother Priya came to Malaysia in 2009 as a refugee from Sri Lanka. After separating from her husband, she now fends for herself and her three children.
FMT Lifestyle visited her and her family in Taman Petaling Utama here a week before Deepavali.
“I got married here and had three children,” the 40-year-old shared. “My daughter has cerebral palsy. For the past two years, I’ve been the one running the family.”
Her sons, aged three and five, are full of energy, darting around the house as she tries to keep up with them. Her daughter, who uses a wheelchair, is fully dependent on Priya.
From bathing and feeding to helping her move around, Priya takes care of her, always with a smile.
Priya, who has been waiting for resettlement for more than 10 years, said she struggles to get any form of assistance.
“I need support. I once waited in line outside the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) office with my children, standing in the sun from 6am to 5pm, for three days. They didn’t let us in, and no one came out to speak to us.”
She added that she has tried emailing and reaching out via WhatsApp but has never received a response. “Even when I had medical issues, I got no help.”
Priya’s greatest concern is her children: she wants all of them to be well educated and have a better life. “I just want them to grow up with all their rights like everybody else, no matter which country we end up in,” she said.
With no financial support, Priya makes a living by preparing homemade, preservative-free treats each festive season.
From murukku and chittu urundai to suji biscuits and Indian mixture – her children’s favourite – she makes everything in her small kitchen. Some recipes, like the murukku, come from Sri Lanka, while others she picked up here over the years.
Those who have tasted her treats often become regular customers. “I make them the same way I do for my children. I only use Himalayan salt and brown sugar, and I never reuse the oil.”
Priya’s days start at 5am. She sends her children to school, cooks their meals, and manages the household. By the time she finishes making her treats, it’s usually past midnight.
“Life was different back in Sri Lanka – we only made all of this for ourselves to eat,” she recalled.
The period between festive seasons is the hardest for Priya: sales are slow, and income is uncertain. She now hopes her treats will gain year-round popularity with help from the public.
She urges people to support small businesses instead of large commercial brands. “On behalf of my family, I’d like to wish everyone a happy Deepavali. Please continue to support not just me, but many others like me.”
If you wish to help Priya, kindly contact her 011-6936 9270.