A BABYSITTER had an emotional reunion with the child in her care, after years of being apart.
Rosidah Yang Abdul Rani helped care for N. Daneesha Pillai since she was just six months old while her mother S. Amuthadewi went to work.
“When Dewi asked if I could babysit, I hesitated as challenges might arise.
“But something in me said to help, so I agreed.”
Amuthadewi would drop Daneesha off at Rosidah’s house every day except Sunday.
Rosidah only charged Amuthadewi RM250 per month and continued taking care of her until she was five.
“I consider her my own child because I cared for her since she was little,” Rosidah told Bernama about the now 14-year-old.
“I was returning to work when Daneesha was six months old, so I needed to find someone to look after her,” Amuthadewi said.
She had asked around the neighbourhood in Ipoh, Perak, for a babysitter and almost lost hope when she couldn’t find anyone, until a neighbour suggested Rosidah, known to acquaintances as Kak Sidah.
“When I met Kak Sidah and asked if she could take care of my baby, she agreed,” said Amuthadewi.
After being entrusted with caring for Daneesha, Rosidah ensured her well-being while at the same time be sensitive to Amuthadewi’s religious beliefs.
“If Daneesha had a fever or refused food, Kak Sidah would call me straight away.
“She would even use her own money to get my baby medicine.
“Throughout Daneesha’s time with Kak Sidah, I never once needed to worry about her,” said Amuthadewi, adding that her daughter grew to love her babysitter’s sambal belacan.
Amuthadewi said that during her divorce, Rosidah was a pillar of strength.
“When I was going back and forth to the police station and court, Kak Sidah never complained when I was late to pick up Daneesha.
“She encouraged me and supported me through it all,” she added.
The mother and daughter later moved from Ipoh in Perak to Selangor so that Amuthadewi could take up a new job.
Daneesha had tears in her eyes when she met Kak Sidah again, after several failed attempts to visit because she wasn’t home.
“After nine years, she still remembers the ‘mother’ who cared for her,” said Rosidah who was equally emotional.
She was surprised and moved when she saw them because they had said goodbye when Daneesha was very young.
