Tough lady toils away for her family

Multi-tasker: After cutting grass and tending to cows, Hasiah gets to work in a rice field and would also complement her income by rolling and selling tobacco. — Bernama

BALIK PULAU: It’s Mothers’ Day but there is no rest or celebration for Hasiah Hassan.

The tough lady is the sole breadwinner for her family after her husband, pensioner Suhaimi Osman, 57, had a stroke six years ago. For the 57-year-old, a day’s work means working as a grass cutter before tending to a herd of cows. She also works in the rice fields and rolls tobacco leaves for sale at RM1.50 per stick.

She told Bernama that she could earn RM45 a day if she manages to sell 30 rolls.

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That doesn’t mean Hasiah gets to leave her housework to others. She still has to get up at 6am every day to tend to her family’s needs before going to the 4ha rice field in Kampung Terang here.

She would even return home in Kampung Jalan Baru at noon every day to cook for her family.

According to Hasiah, she doesn’t ask for aid from the Penang Zakat or the Social Welfare Department because she is confident of looking after her family and herself.

She also believes there are others more in need of funds than her.