Student’s struggle bears fruit as donors pay off her debts
PETALING JAYA: University student Vicneswary’s struggle to pay her tuition fees, by running a fruit stall with her mother, is now over. She will be able to complete her studies debt-free, thanks to the generosity of fellow Malaysians.
Donations came pouring mere hours after her plight was made public, and Vicneswary said she was more motivated than ever to pursue a career in journalism, which she said had also been the dream of her late father. He died of a heart attack last year, at the age of 55.
“Many people have talked behind my father’s back, saying he couldn’t do anything for his family. I’m going to prove them wrong. After I finish my degree, I plan to gain some work experience before continuing with a master’s degree in journalism,” she said.
Once she finishes her studies and is able to find a stable job, she would want her mother to rest and stay at home with her grandfather.
Staff of FMT also gathered funds which were handed over to Vicneswary and her mother, Puspa, yesterday.
Speaking through tears, Puspa told FMT that the overwhelming offers of help were a miracle as the family had previously faced difficulties borrowing money from relatives and family friends.
“It’s been a very emotional time because before this when we needed help, nobody would even give us RM10. It was really embarrassing every time we had to ask for money. Every day when we cut the fruit and sit at the stall waiting for customers, I wonder what I had done wrong,” she said.
Her plight came to public attention through an FMT report yesterday. “We were shocked when people were willing to lend their support, asking what they could do for us,” she said.
Vicneswary had worked as a waitress at a well-known hotel, but lost her job when the Covid-19 pandemic struck.
She turned to selling fruits at Taman Suntex, Cheras, where they could only earn about RM25 a day. She faced the possibility of abandoning her studies with the Open University Malaysia as she owed RM1,018.18 in fees.
The household was also given an eviction notice last month and the landlord had cut off their water and electricity supply, forcing them to live in darkness. The pair have been relying on a public tap for water the past two weeks.
But things are finally looking up for the family. Pushpa even said she planned to expand their fruit stall to sell chapati wraps with sweet or savoury fillings.
“I can’t expect to halt the stall’s business just because we’re getting money. I’ve always had the idea to sell chapati wraps but I didn’t have the financial means to do so. Now I can,” she said, her voice filled with hope. - FMT
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