Family reunions, financial aid brighten widow’s holiday season
THIS Chinese New Year brought meaningful moments for mother-of-two Loke Kim Yen, who has struggled ever since losing her husband during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The 51-year-old piano teacher said the celebration centred on family gatherings and spending quality time together in Johor Baru.
“We had our reunion dinner at home on Feb 16,” said Loke, who added that she also accompanied her mother to visit her adopted sister.
“On Lunar New Year, we had a gathering at my sister’s house with my siblings and their families,” Loke told StarMetro.
She also spent quality time with her two children – Soh Zhe Hong, 18, and Soh Zhe Qi, 16, over the festive break.
“On the second and third day of CNY, we went to watch movies together,” she said.
Since her husband, who was an accounts executive at a factory in Larkin succumbed to Covid-19 in 2021, she has been raising her children alone.
Loke said Zhe Hong, who has a learning disabiliy, and Zhe Qi have grown more independent over the years.
But life remains a struggle for Loke, who earns just RM1,000 monthly teaching piano.
Her income is supplemented by RM2,000 monthly pension from the Social Security Organisation (Perkeso), alongside RM250 monthly allowances for each child from Yayasan Keluarga Malaysia (YKM).
For Chinese New Year, the foundation also provided a one-off festive boost: RM200 for Loke and RM300 per child, plus essential supplies.
“The financial aid really eased my burden. I used the money to pay for my children’s basketball training and rhythmic gymnastic lessons,” she said.
Loke said she was touched when YKM chairman Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob visited her home to present the aid.
Ismail Sabri said that since the foundation’s establishment in 2022, about RM5mil has been allocated annually to assist the welfare and education of children who lost their parents due to Covid-19.
“The allocation is used for monthly aid, education assistance, schooling contributions and special festive aid to ensure the welfare of affected children continues to be protected regardless of race and religion.
“The foundation provides financial assistance to beneficiaries until they reach 18 years old.
“This is extended to higher education at public and private institutions until the completion of their first degree,” he said.
Ismail Sabri was speaking to reporters during the foundation’s “Ziarah Kasih” programme at Loke’s home in Larkin Jaya.
Also present was Johor Baru City Council Foundation chairman Datuk Yahya Jaafar.
Ismail Sabri said that one-off assistance was also provided during festive seasons.
“Nearly 1,000 children nationwide have benefitted from our initiative so far, with the number of recipients expected to increase from time to time,” he said.
The foundation also introduced free online tuition classes for students sitting for the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), along with motivation and academic support programmes.
