Perdana Magazine 2016 | Page 36

ADIK SITI AISYAH

Age: 15 • School: SMK Dato’ Abu Bakar Baginda
Aisyah ran away from home when she was eleven years old, unable to bear the constant emotional and verbal abuse of her father and stepmother. She lived with her aunt and uncle in KL for around three weeks before they sent her to Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Yatim / Miskin Ruqaiyah.
Her real parents divorced when Aisyah was just a little girl, and both of them seemed to have moved on to new relationships and families. Her siblings are with her mother. During the school holidays, Aisyah would stay with her aunt and uncle, though occasionally she would visit her mother and father.
Aisyah has pretty much settled down into the routine at Rukaiyah. She has friends at the centre and at school. When she grows up, she says, she would like to become a police officer.

ADIK NURUL HIDAYAH

Age: 17 • School: SMK Dato’ Abu Bakar Baginda
Nurul Hidayah was born in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur. Before she came to Pusat Jagaan Kanak-Kanak Yatim / Miskin Rukaiyah four years ago, she lived with her parents at Pantai Dalam, KL.“ My family is poor,” she says.“ My father works as a security guard and my mother works several part-time jobs to help make ends meet. They sent me to this place so that my education can continue.”
Nurul Hidayah is the fifth of six siblings. Her eldest sibling is 24 years old and jobless. The second sibling ran away from home, and has not contacted the family. A brother is in Nilai Kolej while another is in a religious school( sekolah pondok) in Thailand. Her youngest brother is with her at Rukaiyah. During school holidays, she would return to her parents and help out at home.
Nurul Hidayah is grateful that her education and living cost are fully funded by the orphanage. She doesn’ t know yet what she wants to do beyond school but she hopes to be able to help support her family.
36 PERDANA MAGAZINE 2016