Her family’s funds are beginning to dry up and she’s trying to raise money quickly so that she can continue studying.
Initially, her father was able to support her when she began her studies in 2017 but he suffered a stroke that same year and hasn’t worked since.
Her father, a medical representative for a pharmacy, went from clinic to clinic to deliver medicine. The stroke left him temporarily bedridden and permanently affected his physical and mental abilities.
“He can’t drive anymore, and he has trouble walking,” Kirroshnie told FMT from her family home in Ipoh. “Since the stroke he’s really slowed down mentally. He also developed epilepsy so there’s the risk of him having seizures too.”
Her mother stepped up by making whatever money she could by selling books in schools. But the pandemic and movement restrictions put a stop to that.
The family is now forced to lean heavily on her father’s disability allowance, about RM1,000 a month, and on savings and loans.
Kirroshnie has managed to stay enrolled, but has fallen RM30,000 behind on tuition fees and worries she might not be able to continue her studies if she cannot make up the arrears. In addition, another bill for RM45,000 for 2021 is staring her in the face.
This comes on top of her accommodation costs in Sarawak, where the medical faculty is located.
“If I can just finish and become a doctor, it will be a huge relief for me and my family. During my housemanship, my salary with allowances would be around RM4,000, so I’ll be able to support the family.
“I’ve tried getting some sponsors, and some of them even went as far as speaking to the university, but it didn’t come through. I’m running out of options.”
This isn’t the first time money troubles have nearly jeopardised Kirroshnie’s studies.
In 2019, she had to put her studies on hold for three months while gathering her fees and working with SEGi University to develop a payment plan she could manage, eventually able to pay a portion to allow her to continue.
She may not be as lucky this time.
Those who wish to help Kirroshnie may drop a WhatsApp message on FMT’s Helpline at 0193899839. Click here to Whatsapp us.