malaysiangJOHOR BAHRU, Feb 21 (Bernama) — Muhammad Khairul Nizam Mohd Tamyis, 24, is a young single parent who earns a living as a sidewalk cobbler and is certainly struggling to raise his four children from the money earned. in front of a bank in Taman Johor Jaya.
Affectionately called Sad by his customers, the cobbler who operates in front of a bank in Taman Johor Jaya, said he has no choice but to bring all his four children, aged between one to eight, to the location where he works, because he could not afford to pay the fees to send his children to a daycare centre.
He said it was not easy to manage all four of his children because they are all still young but said he would remain steadfast to undertake the responsibility after separating from his wife in March last year.
“Initially, it was awkward, but as time passes, I just ignored the shame and unglamorous work as a street cobbler because I was making a halal living to survive and support my four children.
“Each time my children are hungry or just want milk, I would stop repairing shoes temporarily and go to the nearby eatery to buy food and prepare milk. Once that is done, I will just continue with my work,” he told reporters after receiving aid from Econsave Cash & Carry at Taman Desa Cemerlang here today.
According to Sad, he now lives with his family in Taman Puteri Wangsa here where his mother sells curry-puffs near the house while his father also works as a cobbler in front of a supermarket in Taman Johor Jaya.
He said he earns between RM80 to RM100 a day but his income is not consistent because people now would prefer to buy a new pair of shoes instead of repairing old ones.
Sad said recently the Johor State Islamic Council (MAIJ) had come forward to express its interest in helping the family, including relocating Sad’s business to a more conducive premises but he declined the gesture saying that he was afraid of losing his existing customers if he moved.
However, he hoped that MAIJ can consider monthly subsistence to support all his children.
Meanwhile, Econsave general manager, Mas Imran Adam said they will be contributing various basic necessities including milk and school supplies worth RM1,000, in the hope that the aid would ease the family’s burden.
He said the public wishing to offer help can contact Mohammad Khairul Nizam at 011-70071316 or provide assistance via his CIMB Bank account number 7641916668.
Earlier, a 31-second video uploaded on social media showed Sad repairing shoes while singing lullabies.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency
